Türkiye's Senegal ambassador aims to raise bilateral trade to $1 billion

Türkiye's ambassador to Dakar, Dilşad Kırbaşlı Karaoğlu, told Senegalese newspaper Le Soleil that Ankara aims to raise bilateral trade with Senegal to $1 billion and discussed areas of cooperation between the two countries.

Türkiye's ambassador to Dakar, Dilşad Kırbaşlı Karaoğlu, gave an interview to Senegalese newspaper Le Soleil on the occasion of the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Türkiye. In the interview, published in the newspaper's October 29 edition, Karaoğlu assessed relations between the two countries and areas of cooperation.

Karaoğlu interview published in Le Soleil's October 29 edition

Trade target is $1 billion

Karaoğlu, who has served in Senegal since March 2026, said the two presidential-level visits in 2024 and the prime ministerial visit in 2025 paved the way for relations to be elevated to the level of a strategic partnership.

Karaoğlu noted that the goal of raising bilateral trade to $1 billion was put forward during Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye's visit to Türkiye. She explained that they want Senegalese products, particularly in agriculture, fisheries and mining, to have a greater presence in the Turkish market. She recalled that Turkish companies had demonstrated their capabilities in Senegal through projects including the Abdou Diouf International Conference Center, Dakar Arena, Abdoulaye Wade Stadium and Blaise Diagne International Airport.

Cooperation in education and culture

Karaoğlu explained that the Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center in Dakar offers Turkish-language classes and that the Türkiye Scholarships program provides Senegalese students with opportunities to study at the undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels. She added that applications are usually accepted each year between January 10 and February 20.