Gambiaj.com – (Dakar, Senegal) – President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye has announced the inaugural celebration of a National Diaspora Day to be held in Dakar this December, underscoring his administration’s deep commitment to the millions of Senegalese living abroad.

The announcement was made during the weekly Council of Ministers meeting held on Wednesday, May 21, at the Palais de la République. According to the official press statement, the event will mark a significant annual occasion dedicated to honoring the role of the Senegalese diaspora in shaping a sovereign, inclusive, and prosperous nation.

“In view of the primordial importance he gives to our compatriots living abroad, [the President] asked the government to make appropriate arrangements to ensure the organization, in December 2025, in Dakar, of the first edition of the National Diaspora Day,” the statement read.

Described as a “great national meeting,” the day will serve as a platform to recognize and amplify the contributions of the diaspora across political, economic, social, and cultural spheres. It will also aim to consolidate national unity and the values of solidarity and inclusion that the Faye administration has pledged to uphold.

President Faye emphasized the strategic role of Senegalese abroad in advancing the government’s broader transformation agenda. In his remarks to the council, he extended his “warm congratulations” to the diaspora for their “significant contribution” to national life and urged the government to be more responsive to their administrative and social concerns.

These include the issuance of national identity cards and passports, pensions, and other consular services, as well as maintaining ongoing dialogue with Senegalese abroad to incorporate their suggestions into national planning.

Closer Engagement and Better Services With Spotlight on Tabax Senegal Platform

To improve engagement and service delivery, the President tasked the Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs, along with the Secretary of State for Senegalese Abroad, to intensify coordination with diplomatic and consular missions. Their goal: ensure proximity services that are accessible and responsive to the needs of citizens living overseas.

The government was also directed to capitalize on the diverse skills, expertise, and entrepreneurship of Senegalese in the diaspora, encouraging them to align their projects and investments with the country’s development priorities.

President Faye highlighted the importance of the Tabax Senegal digital platform, tabaxsenegal.sn, launched to connect the diaspora with opportunities in Senegal. He called for greater awareness and usage of the platform among Senegalese abroad.

In tandem, he instructed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko to restructure the diaspora support system, including the Support Fund for Senegalese from the Outside (FAISE), to ensure more effective supervision, financing, and implementation of economic initiatives from the diaspora.

The decision to institutionalize a National Diaspora Day reflects a growing recognition of the diaspora’s pivotal influence in nation-building, not only through remittances but also through knowledge transfer, advocacy, and investment.

By dedicating an annual day of recognition, the Faye administration seeks to solidify the bond between the state and its global citizens—signaling a more inclusive and participatory approach to governance.

Preparations for the December event are expected to commence immediately, with further details to be announced by the government in the coming months.