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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

Strong, sweet green tea is served in three rounds during the ataya ritual. Photo: Shutterstock

China-Africa relations

Chinese green tea is bringing people together in West Africa, 3 cups at a time

From government offices to roadside stalls, tea from China is at the heart of a slow ritual that provides time to talk and socialise.

20 Aug 2026 - 12:00PM

United States

US sanctions International Criminal Court chief Tomoko Akane

19 Aug 2026 - 3:13PM

US-China relations

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

1 Aug 2026 - 3:19AMvideocam

United Nations

UN leader candidates pitch visions to save world body in crisis

With a week before initial voting begins, six hopefuls make their case to replace Antonio Guterres.

24 Jul 2026 - 2:35PM

The six declared candidates vying to succeed UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Photo: Reuters

Indonesia

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

Abuse and mismanagement are ‘systemic’ across the Chinese distant-water fishing fleet operating off West Africa, an NGO says.

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

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

US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Photo: EPA

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

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

A worker turns excelsa coffee beans to dry near Nzara, South Sudan, on February 15, 2025. Photo: AP

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

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, stands out as the largest market for Chinese surveillance equipment. Under the “safe city” project, China provides surveillance technologies and credit lines that governments use to monitor public spaces and curb crime. Photo: Getty

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

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

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

People gather in support of a coup in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, in 2022. A wave of military coups across the Sahel has ended traditional alliances and security frameworks. Photo: Reuters

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

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

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

Gold bullion is displayed at precious metal dealer in London in 2015. Photo: Reuters

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

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Photo: AFP

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

Worshippers listen to Imam Ibrahima Diane, an advocate for gender equality, deliver a sermon at a mosque in Dakar, Senegal, in July. Photo: AP

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

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

General Pascal Ianni, head of French forces in Africa, and Senegal’s military chief, General Mbaye Cissé. Photo: AFP

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

The Chinese embassy in Mali bids farewell to ambassador Chen Zhihong and his wife earlier this month. Photo: Handout

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

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

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Senegal

Chinese green tea is bringing people together in West Africa, 3 cups at a time

From government offices to roadside stalls, tea from China is at the heart of a slow ritual that provides time to talk and socialise.

US sanctions International Criminal Court chief Tomoko Akane

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

UN leader candidates pitch visions to save world body in crisis

With a week before initial voting begins, six hopefuls make their case to replace Antonio Guterres.

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

Abuse and mismanagement are ‘systemic’ across the Chinese distant-water fishing fleet operating off West Africa, an NGO says.

.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.

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