Senegal
Senegal became an oil and gas exporter almost overnight, with the offshore Sangomar field and the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim gas project turning a country long known for fishing and groundnuts into an energy producer. Dakar sits on the westernmost tip of mainland Africa, the closest point on the continent to the Americas, anchored by one of the Atlantic coast’s oldest deep-water ports. This is where Senegalese businesses meet buyers looking for them, at home and across the region.
List your businessAfrica’s westernmost capital. Newest member of the continent’s oil and gas producers. Historic Atlantic trade port.
Why Senegal just entered a new economic era
- Joined Africa’s oil and gas producers almost overnight
The offshore Sangomar oil field and the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim gas project, shared with Mauritania, began production within the past two years and are already reshaping export revenue.
- Sit at the westernmost point of mainland Africa
Dakar’s Cap-Vert peninsula is the closest mainland African point to the Americas, home to one of the Atlantic coast’s oldest deep-water ports.
- Serve as the gateway for landlocked Mali
The Dakar-Bamako corridor remains one of the primary routes moving Malian trade to and from the Atlantic.
- Main business languageFrench, Wolof
- Key trade gatewayPort of Dakar
- Commercial hub cityDakar
- Leading export sectorsOil & gas, fish, groundnuts
- New economic driverOffshore oil & gas (since 2024)
- Geographic positionWesternmost mainland Africa
- CurrencyWest African CFA franc (XOF)
- Time zoneGMT (UTC+0)
- Calling code+221
Companies operating in Senegal
Showing verified listings across Dakar, Thiès, Saint-Louis, Touba & Ziguinchor
Starting a business in Senegal?
Registering a business in Senegal means working through APIX (Bureau de Création des Entreprises). This guide breaks down the real steps, approximate cost, and approximate timeline, so you know what to expect before you begin.
Steps, fees, and timelines are approximate and compiled from public 2026 guides to the official process. Confirm current details directly with the official portal
Worth reading before you do business here
Two guides on working with Senegalese companies and finding the right partner