For two decades, Senegal has seen a dramatic shift in its major public infrastructure contracts. While French conglomerates once dominated the sector, their presence has dwindled to a mere 5% of public tenders today. In contrast, Chinese firms now secure over 30% of these high-profile projects, reshaping the economic landscape of the country.
The transformation is evident in flagship developments like the Port de Ndayane, a $2-billion deep-water port project south of Dakar. Designed to accommodate massive container ships along the Atlantic coast, the port is hailed as a game-changer for Senegal’s logistics, job creation, and connectivity. Though led by the Emirati firm DP World, the construction consortium is primarily composed of Chinese contractors. “We had firms from around the world competing, including many from France, but ultimately, they didn’t win,” explains David Gruar, the project director for DP World. According to reports, the French-led consortium, including Eiffage, submitted bids approximately 20% higher than the winning offer.
Nearby, the Diamniadio New City project—aimed at easing congestion in Dakar—further illustrates this shift. Turkish companies have secured most contracts for the stadium, railway station, hotels, and residential buildings, while a Tunisian firm leads the industrial platform. Bohoum Sow, Secretary-General of APROSI, notes, “Here, we have a Tunisian company. To your right, a Chinese one. I don’t know of any French firms operating here.”
why Chinese firms are winning Senegal’s infrastructure race
Experts attribute China’s success to its deep understanding of Senegal’s needs. For instance, Chinese technicians have trained local workers in specialized industries like cardboard packaging, which previously didn’t exist in the country. “This is exactly what we needed. They addressed specific needs and diversified their approach. It’s highly adaptable,” says Bohoum Sow. Over the past 20 years, China has made Africa a cornerstone of its economic diplomacy, with Senegal reaping the benefits. “Their flag flies here now,” notes a local observer, emphasizing the mutually beneficial nature of the partnership.
While French firms once dominated Senegal’s energy, banking, and infrastructure sectors, their share of public contracts has plummeted to just 5%, compared to over 30% for Chinese companies. The rise of other players—from the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Tunisia—has further diversified the market.
can French companies regain ground in Senegal?
Despite this setback, some French firms are adapting. Take Ragni, a family-owned business from southern France specializing in public lighting. The company secured a €70-million contract to install 36,000 next-generation solar streetlights in Senegal, partly financed by the French Development Bank. To win the bid, Ragni established a local subsidiary managed by Senegalese executives and transferred key expertise to the ground. “We focused on flexibility, quality, cost, and local job creation—it worked,” says Birama Diop, director of Ragni’s Senegal subsidiary.
Caroline Richard, head of Proparco’s Senegal office, believes French firms still have opportunities if they embrace this new model. “Their competitiveness thrives in high-demand markets. Senegal offers significant growth potential, especially in labor-intensive sectors,” she states. Behind the glow of solar streetlights across Senegalese cities lies a new reality: French firms must become more agile, forge local partnerships, and prove their cost-effectiveness to compete with rivals from China, Turkey, and Dubai.
