Dakar, Senegal, 7 April, 2025 – The Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Gerd Müller, visited Senegal which  underscored UNIDO’s commitment to supporting Senegal’s industrial development goals and fostering sustainable economic growth in alignment with the country’s national transformation agenda, 'Vision Sénégal 2050'.

During his visit, Director General Müller met with the President of the Republic of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye. Their discussions focused on how UNIDO’s technical assistance could best support Senegal’s transition to being a more competitive industrial economy, and they agreed to expand the existing successful cooperation between Senegal and UNIDO in line with “Vision Sénégal 2050”.

Director General Müller: “Senegal and UNIDO have a very long history of successful cooperation together. Senegal has very ambitious goals for industrial development and UNIDO will support achieving these. We will expand our cooperation and prepare a second phase of our successful Programme for Country Partnership, which has resulted in great outcomes, such as the prospering Industrial Park and Special Economic Zone in Diamniado. With UNIDO's technical expertise and global network we will support "Vision Sénegal 2050" agenda, accelerating its transformation into an internationally competitive economy. "

Talks with Serigne Guèye Diop, Minister of Industry and Commerce focused on strengthening cooperation between UNIDO and Senegal addressing ongoing socio-economic challenges, alongside advancing the country’s sustainable industrialization ambitions in general, reaffirming UNIDO’S commitment to accompanying Senegal during the process of implementing the industrial pillars of national development plans and reform agendas.

UNIDO and Senegal are currently developing and finalizing plans for a second phase of the 'Programme for Country Partnership' (PCP) with Senegal, after the great successes of the first phase of PCP Senegal (2015-2022). The PCP is a flagship UNIDO model for accelerating inclusive and sustainable industrial development in Member States in a way which is tailored exclusively to each country’s unique circumstances and needs. Senegal and UNIDO have previously already had great success.

The first phase of the UNIDO PCP Senegal, which ran from 2015-2022, was marked by key initiatives such as, for example, supporting industrial policy and governance with support for Senegal’s Industrialization Policy and Strategy and enhanced inter-ministerial coordination. UNIDO also facilitates the development of industrial parks and special economic zones. Through the conduct of feasibility studies UNIDO contributed to the development of agro-poles in the North, Center, and South regions. Further, the Organization also contributed to the establishment of the Diamniadio International Industrial Platform, where currently more than 20 enterprises are operating. The first phase of the Senegal PCP secured $23.6 million for technical cooperation but eventually leveraged over $1.15 billion towards investments in Senegalese industries. 

The development of a second phase of the Programme for Country Partnership for Senegal, which will align with the country’s own five-year action plan for 2025-2029 and sectoral strategies such as the “Lettre de Politique d’Industrialisation", is a key priority. This new phase will support a decentralized sustainable industrialization in eight territorial poles: Dakar, Thiès, Centre, South, South-East, North-East, North, and Diourbel-Louga – all in order to foster national champions and strengthen the private sector. Key priorities will be on knowledge and technology transfer, vocational training, job creation particularly in agro-industrial value chains and increased industrial investments.