Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – The Senegalese government has set ambitious plans to transform the country into a leading maritime hub in West Africa. In a special inter-ministerial council led by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko on Tuesday, August 20, the national strategy for the development of maritime and port infrastructure was presented, aiming to attract 2,578 billion CFA francs in investments.

The meeting reviewed critical challenges hindering the development of Senegal’s maritime and port infrastructure, with Prime Minister Sonko emphasizing the need for rigorous management and strategic planning. The strategy laid out 28 key decisions designed to position Senegal as a vital hub for maritime trade, focusing heavily on the restructuring and expansion of the Port of Dakar.

Prime Minister Sonko stressed the importance of modernizing the Port of Dakar, including upgrading storage facilities and rehabilitating railways to connect various terminals. Comparing Dakar’s port infrastructure unfavorably to ports in Lomé, Abidjan, and Tangier, he highlighted the outdated equipment and long waiting times as factors driving business elsewhere. He also advocated for exploring ways to reduce the cost of rehabilitating the Autonomous Port of Dakar (PAD).

The government also seeks to accelerate the development of the ports of Bargny Sendou and Ndayane, ensuring they work in harmony with the Dakar port. Sonko pointed out delays in the Bargny Sendou project and urged the port’s integration with key road and rail networks.

The plan extends beyond commercial ports. For Senegal’s artisanal fishing sector, the government aims to build 23 modern ports, with four linked to industrial zones for seafood processing. Ongoing projects, like the fishing ports in Cap-Skiring and Fass-Boye and the rehabilitation of the Ouakam fishing quay with World Bank support, will be fast-tracked. Local authorities will be given more involvement in managing these facilities.

Tourism is another pillar of the strategy. Marinas will be integrated into tourism zones, with a focus on developing navigation channels along the Casamance River, the Saloum delta, and stabilizing the breach in Saint-Louis.

The strategy also includes fostering a robust naval industry by expanding shipbuilding, repair, and dismantling services. To achieve this, sites for maritime infrastructure will be incorporated into the National Development Plan, ensuring harmony between ports and surrounding cities.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister called for a review of the decree establishing secondary ports in Senegal, questioning the motivations behind past decisions. Noting the historical significance of ports like Ziguinchor, Kaolack, and Saint-Louis, Sonko stressed the need for closer scrutiny of prior actions in collaboration with industry stakeholders.

The council concluded with an emphasis on the necessity of understanding why 2,700 billion FCFA is needed to fulfill these objectives, signaling a strategic shift towards turning Senegal into a regional leader in maritime and port logistics.