Senegal A reform-oriented and politically stable country
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on Senegal's economy. The government is endeavouring to give fresh impetus to the economy with an economic stimulus programme. The United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) currently ranks the Republic of Senegal 168th out of 189 countries. Power shortages, food crises, strong population growth and high unemployment are constraining the country's development.
Senegal's land area almost completely encloses its relatively small neighbour Gambia, which, like a wedge, divides Senegal into a northern part and a smaller southern part. In the southern region, Casamance, political and economic isolation has led to the emergence of an independence movement. Over three decades, there were repeated violent clashes. In the past few years, tensions have eased. And in 2012 a truce was agreed, which has largely held.
Two women on the coast near Dakar
German development cooperation with Senegal
A long history of development cooperation links Germany and Senegal. In November 2019, Senegal became what we refer to as a "reform partner" in German development cooperation. The reform partnerships are Germany's contribution to the G20 Compact with Africa initiative. They are intended to improve the environment for private investment and thus create more employment.
Sustainable economic development is therefore one of the core areas of Senegalese-German development cooperation. Activities in this area also focus on governance, with the aim of laying the groundwork for an administration that is more transparent and effective. A further core area of development cooperation is renewable energy and energy efficiency.
In 2020, the German Development Ministry (BMZ) approved funding totalling 178 million euros for development with Senegal.
Senegal's COVID-19 relief programme, PRES
In order to soften the impact of the social and economic fallout from the COVID-19 crisis, the German government is providing 100 million euros (committed in 2020) in budget support for Senegal's "Programme de Résilience Économique et Sociale" (PRES). The focus of Germany's support under this programme is on measures that aid the most fragile and most severely affected sectors of Senegal's economy, in particular micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. The German side is also pushing for an efficient and transparent implementation of the programme.
Migration
Since 2017, Senegal has been a target country for the BMZ programme on migration and development. Advice is being provided on matters such as cooperation with the Senegalese diaspora, migration issues and business start-up programmes. Senegal is also a partner country for the BMZ's Returning to New Opportunities returnee programme. In early 2018, a migration advice centre was opened in Dakar. Together with local projects under German development cooperation, the centre is helping returning migrants to acquire vocational training and find jobs.
