Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal report 250 billion CFA francs in cumulative trade

Trade and economic exchanges between Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal have reached a cumulative value of 250 billion CFA francs, Senegalese Prime Minister Ahmadou Alhaminou Mohamed Lo said during an official visit to Côte d’Ivoire on Monday.

Despite the volume of trade, Lo said the figure remained below expectations given the potential for investment partnerships between the two West African countries.

He called on businesses in both countries to strengthen cooperation, particularly through investment in major development projects that could generate economic benefits and support national development plans.

The Senegalese government, he added, was prepared to support Ivorian businesspeople interested in projects aligned with Senegal’s national transformation agenda, known as “Senegal 2050”.

The visit also highlighted the two countries’ shared interest in strengthening regional economic integration within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Lo said Senegal was committed to working with Côte d’Ivoire and other member states to consolidate existing achievements and accelerate integration efforts.

Beyond trade and investment, the Senegalese prime minister called for support from the Ivorian government and young people for the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games, which Senegal is scheduled to host from October 31 to November 13.

The visit aims to reinforce longstanding ties between the neighbouring countries and identify new opportunities for economic cooperation.

However, the 250 billion CFA franc figure alone does not indicate the balance of trade between the two countries or how much each contributes to the total. Further details on the composition of trade and investment flows were not provided in the announcement.

Both governments are seeking to deepen economic ties and encourage private-sector investment as part of broader efforts to promote development and regional integration in West Africa.