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Tunisia and Senegal have explored new horizons for economic cooperation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework. During the Promotional Days for Tunisian Olive Oil held in Dakar, Senegalese Minister of Industry and Trade, Serigne Gueye Diop, met with a high-level Tunisian delegation to discuss strengthening bilateral trade and industrial partnerships. The Minister announced an upcoming official visit to Tunisia in late October to formalize these economic ties, emphasizing the need for expertise sharing across the entire value chain—from processing and investment to global marketing.
Hosted from October 7 to 9, 2026, the promotional event in Dakar served as a platform for institutional and technical meetings designed to identify practical collaboration areas. The Tunisia Export Promotion Center (CEPEX) and the Senegalese Export Promotion Agency (ASEPEX) are currently working to transform their existing Memorandum of Understanding into a three-year executive action plan. This roadmap includes organizing mutual trade missions, sectoral business meetings, and the exchange of market intelligence.
Technical cooperation featured prominently in discussions between the Tunisian National Oil Office (ONH) and the Senegalese National Company for Oilseed Marketing (SONACOS). Tunisia offered its expertise in quality control, modern crushing and refining techniques, and the recovery of by-products such as olive pomace and polyphenols. This exchange is expected to bolster Senegal's efforts in industrializing its peanut production sector. Additionally, the Technical Center for Packaging and Conditioning (Packtec) discussed eco-friendly packaging solutions with Senegalese counterparts to enhance the competitiveness of local products in export markets.
Furthermore, national focal points for AfCFTA in both countries addressed the gradual opening of markets and the implementation of rules of origin. These measures aim to facilitate the flow of goods and develop regional value chains within the continent. This strategic initiative is supported by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) in partnership with the African Union and the Tunisian Ministry of Trade and Export Development, aiming to establish sustainable institutional and economic partnerships across African markets.
Source: Tunisien.tn