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Senegal

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Senegal. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Dakar

Head of State

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye

Head of Government

Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko

The former vice-president of Costa Rica, Rebeca Grynspan, is the early front runner to be the next United Nations secretary general. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Selection for next UN chief gets under way with Grynspan early front runner

United Nations Security Council started the process on Thursday to pick its new secretary general as successor to Antonio Guterres.

1 Aug 2026 - 3:19AMvideocam

United Nations

UN leader candidates pitch visions to save world body in crisis

24 Jul 2026 - 2:35PM

Indonesia

Indonesian migrant fishers lured by big pay but caught in modern slavery

16 Jul 2026 - 7:10PM

China-Africa relations

Opinion | Beijing offers leverage for Africa. Policymakers are now applying it

Partnerships with China are no longer a debate for economies across the continent but a platform for their own development paths.

28 Jun 2026 - 5:24PMvideocam

An exhibitor (right) shows her bags to visitors during the fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha, Hunan province, on June 13, 2025. Photo: Xinhua

United States

US to slash number of embassies in Africa that process visas

US State Department consolidation will force applicants across the continent to travel to 20 central hubs.

2 Jun 2026 - 10:32AM

China-Africa relations

How China’s engineering prowess built Africa’s largest oil refinery

Nigeria has turned into a net exporter of refined petroleum products amid the energy shock unleashed by the US-Israel war on Iran.

3 May 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

Hong Kong tourism

Tourism Board invited 1,730 influencers with 1.6 billion followers over 2 years

Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau says influencers’ itineraries were tailored to their markets and audiences.

18 Apr 2026 - 7:33PM

TikTok star Khaby Lame was among those who visited Hong Kong as part of the promotion push. Photo: AP

Africa

Opinion | Beijing’s supply-chain hedging strategy can help African food security

While governments must avoid swapping one dependency for another, Beijing’s inroads could help enhance food security efforts.

8 Apr 2026 - 9:55PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Chinese surveillance rolled out in Africa: ZTE, Hikvision, Huawei at the helm

China’s ‘safe city’ project can counter terrorism and curb crime but critics worry it may repress political opposition and peaceful protests.

4 Apr 2026 - 10:30PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Restrict everything’: Senegal curbs ministers’ foreign trips amid Iran war

PM says budgets in one of the world’s poorest nations were based on an oil price of US$62 a barrel. However, that has almost doubled.

4 Apr 2026 - 9:45PMvideocam

Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. File photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

African producers may have energy edge in Iran war, if they can overcome hurdles

Analysts say oil from Africa may be lower-risk alternative, coinciding with a fresh push for infrastructure to supply Europe.

25 Mar 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

Oil exploration investments across Africa declined after many Western oil majors retreated from long-term fossil investments, according to the African Petroleum Producers Organization. Photo: Reuters

China-Africa relations

How a ‘military vacuum’ in West and Central Africa opened new markets for China

Beijing has increased engagement with countries in the Sahel following the French military exit, and with Russian weapons in short supply.

15 Feb 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Entrepreneurs vie for Africa’s Business Heroes titles in start-up bonanza

Record 32,000 applications from 54 nations vie for seventh Africa’s Business Heroes awards to recognise 100 start-ups over 10 years.

14 Dec 2025 - 9:38AM

Africa

President leaves Guinea-Bissau as general takes power after coup

General Horta N’Tam installed as the head of the military government in the latest coup to dog the West African nation.

28 Nov 2025 - 1:35PM

General Horta N’Tam next to a portrait of deposed President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, during his swearing-in ceremony as the head of Guinea-Bissau’s military government. Photo: AFP

Africa

Africa attracts smaller EU nations scrambling for influence

Estonia and Finland are among those seeking to boost their presence on the continent, revamping diplomatic and trade ties over the past five years.

23 Nov 2025 - 5:46PM

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks with EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen at the G20 Leaders’ Summit plenary session in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday. Photo: AFP

United States

‘Safe haven’ gold reaches record US$4,000 amid US shutdown anxiety

Gold futures are up about 50 per cent since the start of 2025, as investors seek a safe haven as economic uncertainty escalates.

8 Oct 2025 - 12:00AM

China-Africa relations

China targets Gen Z, millennials in new strategy to build its brand in Africa

Kenyan social media stars showcase China’s striking scenery, culture, history and cuisine in glitzy new promotional campaign.

5 Oct 2025 - 6:50PMvideocam

International Criminal Court

My Take | World must stand up to US bullying of International Criminal Court

Washington’s latest sanctions of ICC judges continue its direct assault on international law and is a slap in the face of the global community.

24 Aug 2025 - 9:00PM

International Criminal Court

US sanctions ICC judges for probes into alleged American, Israeli war crimes

The sanctions, announced by Secretary of State Rubio, are the latest steps the US has taken against the international war crimes tribunal.

21 Aug 2025 - 8:58AMvideocam

Africa

‘Now he cooks’: Senegal’s ‘schools for husbands’ try to shift gender roles

The UN-backed initiative involves respected male community members promoting ‘positive masculinity’ and also looks at issues including female genital mutilation.

17 Aug 2025 - 8:50PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

‘Extremely daring’: Chinese miners putting gold over their own lives in Africa

Gold miners from China are also more vulnerable to the wave of killings and kidnappings than their Western counterparts, observers say.

11 Aug 2025 - 5:26PMvideocam

Security threats are growing in parts of Africa, with a rise in attacks driven by the soaring price of gold. Photo: AFP

China-Africa relations

FOCAC at 25: How China ‘leapfrogs’ other nations to build close African ties

Strategic dialogue mechanism signed 25 years ago is credited for increased China-Africa cooperation, edging out the US, Russia and France.

19 Jul 2025 - 8:00PMvideocam

Africa

France withdraws from Senegal, ending military presence in West Africa

Departure signals a major strategic pivot amid evolving African demands for sovereignty.

18 Jul 2025 - 11:52AM

China-Africa relations

Routine or rising tensions? Chinese ambassadors in exodus from West Africa

Observers suggest the recent departure of several Chinese ambassadors could be a ‘subtle message’ to Sahelian regimes.

22 Jun 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

China’s soft power

Senegal PM’s ‘deep gratitude’ to China after US denies basketball team’s visas

Women’s team had been heading to America for 10-day training camp, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko reveals Chinese help for ‘athletes, coaches’.

20 Jun 2025 - 1:30PMvideocam

Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko ‘simply cancelled’ the basketball training camp after the US refused visas for the women’s team. Photo: AFP

Fame and celebrity

World’s top TikTok star Khaby Lame leaves the US after being detained by ICE

The Senegalese-Italian influencer allegedly overstayed his visa but was allowed to depart the country without being deported.

11 Jun 2025 - 6:31AM

Khaby Lame poses for photographers at the premiere of the film ‘Oppenheimer’ in London in July 2023. Photo: AP

Africa

Senegal heads to polls as new leaders eye parliamentary mandate

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is seeking a majority to see through the promise of ambitious reform that elected him eight months ago.

17 Nov 2024 - 7:30PM

Spain

Rescuers search for missing migrants after boat sinks off Canary Islands, 9 dead

Rescuers were able to pick up 27 of 84 migrants who were trying to reach the Spanish coast on Saturday.

29 Sep 2024 - 9:36PM

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Senegal

Selection for next UN chief gets under way with Grynspan early front runner

United Nations Security Council started the process on Thursday to pick its new secretary general as successor to Antonio Guterres.

UN leader candidates pitch visions to save world body in crisis

Indonesian migrant fishers lured by big pay but caught in modern slavery

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Beijing offers leverage for Africa. Policymakers are now applying it

Partnerships with China are no longer a debate for economies across the continent but a platform for their own development paths.

US to slash number of embassies in Africa that process visas

US State Department consolidation will force applicants across the continent to travel to 20 central hubs.

How China’s engineering prowess built Africa’s largest oil refinery

Nigeria has turned into a net exporter of refined petroleum products amid the energy shock unleashed by the US-Israel war on Iran.

Tourism Board invited 1,730 influencers with 1.6 billion followers over 2 years

Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau says influencers’ itineraries were tailored to their markets and audiences.

Opinion | Beijing’s supply-chain hedging strategy can help African food security

While governments must avoid swapping one dependency for another, Beijing’s inroads could help enhance food security efforts.

Chinese surveillance rolled out in Africa: ZTE, Hikvision, Huawei at the helm

China’s ‘safe city’ project can counter terrorism and curb crime but critics worry it may repress political opposition and peaceful protests.

‘Restrict everything’: Senegal curbs ministers’ foreign trips amid Iran war

PM says budgets in one of the world’s poorest nations were based on an oil price of US$62 a barrel. However, that has almost doubled.

African producers may have energy edge in Iran war, if they can overcome hurdles

Analysts say oil from Africa may be lower-risk alternative, coinciding with a fresh push for infrastructure to supply Europe.

How a ‘military vacuum’ in West and Central Africa opened new markets for China

Beijing has increased engagement with countries in the Sahel following the French military exit, and with Russian weapons in short supply.

Entrepreneurs vie for Africa’s Business Heroes titles in start-up bonanza

Record 32,000 applications from 54 nations vie for seventh Africa’s Business Heroes awards to recognise 100 start-ups over 10 years.

President leaves Guinea-Bissau as general takes power after coup

General Horta N’Tam installed as the head of the military government in the latest coup to dog the West African nation.

Africa attracts smaller EU nations scrambling for influence

Estonia and Finland are among those seeking to boost their presence on the continent, revamping diplomatic and trade ties over the past five years.

‘Safe haven’ gold reaches record US$4,000 amid US shutdown anxiety

Gold futures are up about 50 per cent since the start of 2025, as investors seek a safe haven as economic uncertainty escalates.

China targets Gen Z, millennials in new strategy to build its brand in Africa

Kenyan social media stars showcase China’s striking scenery, culture, history and cuisine in glitzy new promotional campaign.

My Take | World must stand up to US bullying of International Criminal Court

Washington’s latest sanctions of ICC judges continue its direct assault on international law and is a slap in the face of the global community.

US sanctions ICC judges for probes into alleged American, Israeli war crimes

The sanctions, announced by Secretary of State Rubio, are the latest steps the US has taken against the international war crimes tribunal.

‘Now he cooks’: Senegal’s ‘schools for husbands’ try to shift gender roles

The UN-backed initiative involves respected male community members promoting ‘positive masculinity’ and also looks at issues including female genital mutilation.

‘Extremely daring’: Chinese miners putting gold over their own lives in Africa

Gold miners from China are also more vulnerable to the wave of killings and kidnappings than their Western counterparts, observers say.

FOCAC at 25: How China ‘leapfrogs’ other nations to build close African ties

Strategic dialogue mechanism signed 25 years ago is credited for increased China-Africa cooperation, edging out the US, Russia and France.

France withdraws from Senegal, ending military presence in West Africa

Departure signals a major strategic pivot amid evolving African demands for sovereignty.

Routine or rising tensions? Chinese ambassadors in exodus from West Africa

Observers suggest the recent departure of several Chinese ambassadors could be a ‘subtle message’ to Sahelian regimes.

Senegal PM’s ‘deep gratitude’ to China after US denies basketball team’s visas

Women’s team had been heading to America for 10-day training camp, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko reveals Chinese help for ‘athletes, coaches’.

World’s top TikTok star Khaby Lame leaves the US after being detained by ICE

The Senegalese-Italian influencer allegedly overstayed his visa but was allowed to depart the country without being deported.

Senegal heads to polls as new leaders eye parliamentary mandate

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is seeking a majority to see through the promise of ambitious reform that elected him eight months ago.

Rescuers search for missing migrants after boat sinks off Canary Islands, 9 dead

Rescuers were able to pick up 27 of 84 migrants who were trying to reach the Spanish coast on Saturday.

Opinion | Beijing offers leverage for Africa. Policymakers are now applying it