After several weeks of touring the major European capitals, the ‘‘European Link Sunugal’ Tour concluded in apotheosis on 11 December 2024 in Offida, Italy. An unfailing link has been established between Italy and Senegal. The ceremony, which brought together elected officials, diplomats, entrepreneurs and members of the diaspora, highlighted the economic opportunities and possible synergies between the two countries. All were present to seal economic and solidarity partnerships between the two countries.

Link Sunugal: an investment opportunity
In the presence of an enthusiastic audience composed of the mayor of Offida and several high-ranking personalities, Mr. Ibrahima Badji, president of IBC INVEST, Paid tribute to the hard work of the organizers and thanked participants for their determination to strengthen economic ties between Senegal and Italy. Indeed, the Link Sunugal tour highlighted key economic issues for Senegal, particularly in the context of oil and gas spill-overs. Highlighting the central role of the Senegalese diaspora as a key player in this economic development, Mr. Badji highlighted the new business opportunities that are now opening up to Senegalese companies through this enhanced bilateral cooperation. The Link Sunugal tour is therefore a real platform for trade and investment, where concrete and lasting benefits for both countries are expected.

More than symbolic distinctions, a mutual commitment pact
At this Salon, Aliou Gning, mayor of Sandiara, was honored by Luigi Massa, mayor of Offida, for his leadership in the development of his commune. Abdou Karim Sy, mayor of Koki, was honoured by Mauro Broda, president of the International Consular Institute (ICI), in recognition of his role in promoting economic diplomacy and international partnerships. It should be noted that these distinctions, far from being honorific, reflect the commitment of both mayors to promoting inclusive and sustainable development. It was an opportunity for the two men to start business visits and partnerships with the municipalities of Offida and San Benito.

For inclusive and sustainable development
At the recent fair dedicated to social and solidarity economy, several strategic levers were highlighted to promote harmonious and inclusive development. Marketing in local languages is a good approach, because it allows for greater involvement of the population, especially women and young people. Education and civic engagement have also been identified as essential pillars for strengthening the economy. In addition, microfinance can become an effective tool for combating poverty and improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable segments of society, participants said. Cultural industries were also presented as a means of boosting the local economy while preserving cultural heritage. Special emphasis was also placed on diaspora investments, which represent vital support for small and medium-sized enterprises. There is also the need to take into account environmental issues for a transition to greener energy sources that create jobs, as Mr. Badji has argued.

Concrete partnerships for a future of solidarity
Good news came to this fair: the creation of a network of the Senegalese diaspora in Italy. This network will be chaired by Mr. Mamadou Faye and moderated by Ms. Nor Ndiaye. It will aim to meet the needs of members of the diaspora, including facilitating access to funding, health coverage, repatriation of remains or legal assistance. This initiative stems from the desire to strengthen the link between Senegalese living in Italy and their country of origin. This vision is shared by the mayor of Sandiara, who has a clear ambition: to raise his town to the rank of emerging city by 2035. In this context, he appealed to Italian investors to encourage them to seize the opportunities offered by Senegal.

The strategic triptych: Senegal – Italy – Moldova
This triangular partnership between Senegal, Italy and Moldova is supported by speakers such as Senesi Roberto. Due to some shared cultural and economic similarities, they intend to promote mutual and sustainable development between these three countries, with the key idea of a twinning between the municipalities of Offida in Italy and Koki in Senegal. This partnership represents a valuable opportunity to address pressing water, health and environmental challenges. This project, which is part of a triangular cooperation framework between Senegal, Italy and Moldova, aims to solve crucial challenges such as access to drinking water, health and environmental preservation. In addition, a prospecting mission conducted on Monday 16 December at the Monvimox plant, specialized in the processing of fishery products, illustrates the ambition of both mayors to diversify investments in their municipalities. This partnership could, in the long run, help modernize Senegal’s fishing industry while creating jobs for young people.

Link Sunugal: Meeting for Hope
At the end of the fair, Mr. Ibrahima Badji, president of IBC-Invest, urged participants to take action: turn the ideas exchanged into concrete initiatives to eradicate poverty and build a future of solidarity for future generations. He expressed the wish to see tangible results emerge before the next edition. The participants left this fair with a sense of optimism and determination, which will enable Senegal and Italy to consolidate a lasting strategic alliance. The Sunugal 2024 Link Show not only celebrated successes; it laid the foundation for strong economic and social cooperation between Senegal and its partners. The results of these initiatives will be eagerly awaited at the next edition.

Terrible pain is the news that embraces, since 18 December 2024, the Senegalese and diaspora associative world. Fatou Aïssata Sall, the president of the association Sene Asso, left abruptly during a solidarity tour in Dakar. She was only 36. She didn’t leave just like that. It is among the poor children, in the nursery, in the Koranic schools that his soul went to join the stars. A tragic irony for the one that embodied the discreet but persistent light of social engagement.

Fatou Sall, a kindness without borders
Fatou Sall did not belong to these mediatized benefactors who burst the screen and whose charity was giving in show. Living in Paris since her childhood, she never stopped – a painful past – building bridges between France and Senegal. She had only one motto, “help without waiting back”, and this creed animated her passion. She gave joy to the poor, the forgotten, the migrants wandering in Paris. They were her protégés. Paris, she knew her; since Paris had seen her grow up. Yet, Senegal was not a nostalgia for her. She founded Sene Asso in 2016 to help Senegalese students who have recently arrived in France. The association is expanding and addressing Senegalese social and humanitarian issues. Since 2019, it has initiated the Sene Asso Solidarity Tour to mobilize funds to support childcare facilities, schools and religious centres.

Women, as we see more
After working in the tourism sector for 20 years, Fatou Sall had successfully retrained. She was the director of purchasing and supplier relations at a furniture company in France since 2022. Despite all this workload, she managed to reconcile personal life, professional activities and associations. Always simple. Always wearing a frank smile and in that smile, perceived the concern she had for others, putting her own difficulties down. And, being at the head of Sene Asso, it was not the solicitations that were lacking. Ndiaga Fall, one of her close associates, said, “She was very helpful and dedicated. We truly salute his spirit of solidarity.” It is rare to see the whole chain of love that unfolds around Fatou Sall.

Modesty and dedication, a model of female leadership
Fatou Sall was not afraid of fighting. She was from all the associative fronts. However, and this may seem paradoxical was a woman who asserts herself, she had this modest restraint. Never a word higher than the other. His management spirit as president of the association Sene Asso shines his soul encircled. To her friends and family, she often confided: “The main challenge is to reconcile personal, professional and community life. But thanks to my personality and experience, managing Sene Asso is quite easy.” His four-year working partner, Aladji Gora Pene, sums up their collaboration in two words: “Respect and admiration” and He testifies: “Fatou was methodical, organized, rigorous. She has made us all Fatou ready to advise, guide and make the best decisions. It takes a lot of money to become a major player in the Franco-Senegalese solidarity. And, Fatou Sall had it. Unquestionably.

True commitment, an enduring legacy
This sudden departure is a silent earthquake. A gap that will be difficult to fill. This death, no one saw it coming, since the last post on Facebook is just a few days ago. And yet, somewhere, she sensed it. She has taken care to leave behind recommendations, plans for the future of Sene Asso, like a soldier who, on his way to the front, is preparing his family for his doom. Sene Asso promises to continue the actions initiated by its president. Fatou Sall never sought the light. And when her moment came, she knew how to slip away. She left a legacy, and a way of practicing associative life. A link and phone number have also been set up to help the family through this ordeal. The spirit of solidarity advocated by Fatou Sall still shines. Now she rests in the cemetery of Yoff in Senegal.

Asma Khadija! This name evokes a great personality in the Senegalese journalistic world. In fact, it is a hyperbright star in the field of communication in Senegal. Each morning, this charming journalist, armed with her radiant smile and vibrant voice, brightens our first day on the SEN TV morning show “Subaatel”. In addition to that, she is an actress and model. Aware of the aura that it could bring to their association, IBC Invest has attached its services and decided to make her their head of press relations. Basically, she is responsible for all international communication matters of the International Business Conseil Invest (IBC). Each interview is an opportunity to enhance the association’s image.

Asma, front line at IBC
Created in 2019, the International Business Council (IBC) promotes youth and women entrepreneurship, as well as social and solidarity economy. According to Asma Khadija, this association is much more than a network, as it offers African entrepreneurs a space for expression, training and networking with potential investors. As the press relations officer, she explains: “My role is to promote and highlight the activities of the association, notably through the Link Sunugal fair, a European initiative aimed at making African entrepreneurs known and connecting them to diaspora networks.” It aims to “sell the destination Senegal and connect local entrepreneurs with our diaspora.”

Senegal, a land of opportunities
“Senegal is a beautiful country where everything can be done,” says Asma. According to her, Senegal has “resources and talents; what we need now is the involvement of the diaspora for sustainable and prosperous development.” With IBC, she plans to contribute by encouraging young people to engage in training that will help them specialize and meet international challenges. She believes that Senegal could better combat illegal immigration by offering young people a serious alternative. In this sense, IBC, through her, has the mission to show young people that “Senegal can become the Eldorado our youth are looking for in Europe” and that “success is possible here.”

Asma, IBC Ambassador
Asma hopes that Link Sunugal can serve as a model for other countries in Africa, as it is meant to inspire the diaspora to invest in their homeland and build a better future. Embodying the determination and vision of a strong, united Africa, Asma, with IBC, is working to transform the dream of an engaged diaspora that contributes to the prosperity of an entire continent. According to her, “the financing is directed towards economic and productive projects, thus building a solid foundation for local entrepreneurs.” Asma believes that this tour, a first for IBC, represents a unique opportunity to create a sustainable network of exchanges, benefiting entrepreneurs and African communities.