This visit and the agreements signed in Hangzhou mark a new stage in Sino-Senegalese relations, with a strong emphasis on innovation, economic growth and the diversification of international partnerships.
A Strategic Official Visit
Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko began an official visit on Saturday, June 22, 2025, to Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province in China, aiming to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries, particularly in economic, industrial, and technological sectors. This visit is part of a broader effort to deepen diplomatic and economic ties, with Beijing viewing Senegal as a strategic gateway to West Africa.
Focus on Economic and Technological Cooperation
On his first day, Ousmane Sonko held talks with the provincial governor, Liu Jie, to discuss cooperation prospects in economic, industrial, and technological fields. Hangzhou is recognized as a hub of growth and innovation in China, a model Senegal seeks to emulate to accelerate its own development.
A Sino-Senegalese Economic Forum in Hangzhou
On Sunday, June 22, the Prime Minister chaired a Sino-Senegalese economic forum bringing together public and private sector actors from both countries. The forum was marked by the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding in strategic sectors such as industry, housing, infrastructure, energy, and transportation. These accords illustrate the growing economic relations between Dakar and Beijing.
A Call to Chinese Investors
In his speech, Ousmane Sonko emphasized the importance of the private sector in achieving the National Transformation Agenda Senegal 2050 (ANTS 2050). He invited Chinese investors to seize the many opportunities offered by Senegal, highlighting the country’s political stability, strategic geographical position, and ambition to become a regional economic hub in West Africa.
Strategic Cooperation for the Future
Accompanied by a high-level ministerial delegation, the Senegalese Prime Minister aims to accelerate the implementation of structural economic agreements. China considers Senegal a key partner for its presence in West Africa, thereby strengthening a strategic cooperation based on mutual development.
