BUSINESS
Link Sunu Gaal: the Senegalese diaspora for a united social and solidarity economy in Germany
There is an increasing emergence of a social and solidarity economic movement on the part of the Senegalese diaspora. It is a more humanistic, human-faced form of mutual aid. Also, on 16 November 2024, Stuttgart hosted the first ever “Link Sunu Gaal Trade Show”. This initiative, under the leadership of the International Business Council Invest (IBC INVEST) association, had as its theme “The return of productive investment from the German diaspora in Senegal for a Senegal in progress”. And, it was a success. This event, which counted more than a hundred people, brought together local authorities, international experts, entrepreneurs and especially members of the Senegalese diaspora ready to invest in Senegal, to build a solid bridge between Germany and Senegal with investment as the cornerstone following the meeting of the Managing Director of Apix SA, Bakary Séga Bathily.
Link Sunu Gala: Under the sign of investment and solidarity
With guests from brands such as Remseck mayor Dirk Schoenberg, and also leaders of the IBC INVEST association, such as international president Ibrahima Badji and its general secretary, Salif Diedhiou, this event was a great success. Camille Bounama Sylla, special advisor to the president of Sierra Leone, and Ibrahima Badji, sustainability consultant, really enriched the discussions by providing their expertise punctuated with specific examples. It was concrete. Indeed, the speaker defined the priority missions of the IBC INVEST association, which aim to strengthen the Senegalese economy and links with the diaspora. The first of these tasks is to supervise future investors. This action aims to facilitate the integration of young people into the local Senegalese economy. This will help to fight illegal immigration. In parallel, the association is committed to creating bridges between project promoters and investors, whether public or private, in Germany or Senegal. Finally, it promotes community projects through viable economic initiatives, using innovative approaches such as crowdfunding and skills transfer. This will strengthen international solidarity and cooperation.
Highlights and keynote speeches
In the various speeches that punctuated the interventions of each, it became clear that the key to the success of this initiative lies in collaboration and inspiration for the Senegalese diaspora. Amadou Cheikhou Diame, president of IBC Germany, led the way by calling for stronger collaboration between members of the diaspora and the association, drawing on the success models of other communities, such as the Chinese. Then, Camille Bounama Sylla spoke about his journey: a real resilience that captivated the people present. From being an undocumented immigrant to becoming a recognized international consultant, and up to his current social status: how high the ladder – social ladder – he had to climb. At the end of his speech, he urged the diaspora to unite around bold entrepreneurial initiatives. Finally, Dirk Schonberger concluded by saluting the exemplary leadership of the Senegalese diaspora in his community while promising its unwavering support for the next editions of the show.
IBC Invest and APIX Alliance: a winning bet
During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the president of the International Business Council Invest (IBC) and the Director General of the Senegal Investment and Major Works Promotion Agency (APIX) met, a decisive step. This strategic alliance, supported by a common objective of developing productive investment in the Senegalese diaspora, is reflected in a commitment to build on the findings of Link Sunu Gaal. This data will be used to ensure a rigorous follow-up of the identified projects and to fully exploit opportunities. This collaboration reflects a shared desire to maximize the economic benefits of diaspora initiatives for a lasting impact on the Senegalese economy.
Senegal, in the digital age
During the three conferences, one particularly attracted participants: the speech of Narcisse Nasser Badjim who spoke about the future of Senegal in the digital age. Having highlighted the role of technologies in optimizing investments and the importance of integrating the social and solidarity economy (SSE) in Senegalese territorial authorities, He gave the floor to Mambaye Thiam who spoke about the keys to success and the challenges to overcome in order to invest effectively in Senegal. IBC INVEST, for its part, has detailed its actions in the ESS, which highlight the strengthening of local authorities through partnerships with the diaspora. This, he says, requires training local actors in new entrepreneurial and digital trends. Above all, we need to find a way to facilitate the funding of community projects with high social impact.
Link Sunu Gaal, a model of social and solidarity economy
If there is one thing to be remembered from this forum, it is this crucial question: what is the role of the Senegalese diaspora in Germany in the development of the social and solidarity economy (SSE)? The responses were clear and engaging. Indeed, the initiatives presented were aimed at encouraging productive investment while combating illegal immigration through the promotion of sustainable community projects. The captivating conferences particularly highlighted the importance of integrating SSE in Senegalese territorial authorities. Through innovative solutions, this model promises to revitalize the local economy by pooling skills and resources, thus laying the foundations for inclusive and sustainable development.
Link Sunu Gaal Fair, a success
In addition to the discussions that were offered at this show where an exhibition space bringing together companies such as Allianz Assurance and BN2 Smart, it should be noted that this first Link Sunu Gaal Show was a real success, in the sense that it has helped to consolidate links which are being broken by distance. Several participants praised an organization that combines economic vision and solidarity commitment. All participants unanimously expressed the hope that the next meeting, scheduled to take place in Italy, in Offida on 14 December 2024, will attract more partners willing to invest in Senegal. With a committed diaspora and quality international allies, Senegal is undoubtedly on the path to emergence.
The presidency of Togo has announced that the project to exploit the manganese mine of Nayega, located in the Savanes region in the north of the country, is entering its operational phase. According to a statement issued on June 10, 2025, production is scheduled to start at the end of June 2025, with an initial volume of 4,000 tons per month, which should gradually double to reach 8,000 tons per month.
Keras Resources is the technical partner retained by the Togolese government to carry out this project. A statement from Keras, relayed by the presidency, details that the company signed a cooperation agreement in 2023 with the Togolese state, owner of the mine through the Togolese Manganese Company (STM). Under the terms of this agreement, Keras will receive a remuneration of 1.5% of the mine’s gross revenue for three years for its advisory services, as well as 6% for brokering services.
The reserves of the Nayega mine are estimated at 8.5 million tonnes, which would allow exploitation over a period of 11 years. The authorities of Lomé welcome the expected contribution of the mine to the national budget, a benefit that should be strengthened by the rigorous management of the generated revenues, as indicated by our colleagues from Agence Afrique.
With a growing global demand for manganese, particularly in steel alloys and renewable energy technologies, Togo is seeking to assert itself as an essential supplier of this strategic ore. This positioning could play a catalytic role for the national economy, always according to information from the Africa Agency.
Source: senego / Photo credit: Republicoftogo.com
The Gabonese government decided on Friday to ban the import of broilers in order to promote national poultry production and ensure food security, according to the final communiqué of the council of ministers chaired by the head of state, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.
The ban will be effective from 1 January 2027, thus leaving a period of 18 months (1 year and 6 months) for actors in the sector to structure themselves, invest and prepare to meet national demand.
“This measure aims to restore domestic poultry production, boost agricultural investment, reduce food dependency and strengthen the trade balance,” the government hopes. Gabon also hopes to foster “the emergence of a network of rural jobs, the rise in quality of products consumed locally and the creation of an economic ecosystem around this sector”.
The government has also planned a detailed operational plan to be presented within 45 days by the ministers responsible for economy and trade.
Libreville dreams of reducing its dependence on poultry imports and strengthening the country’s food security. In addition, the promotion of local poultry farming should have a positive impact on rural areas, generating jobs and contributing to the development of a vibrant poultry ecosystem.
Imported frozen chicken is the most consumed food in Gabon because of its low price and packaging ready to be thrown into a pot.
“The star of the freezer” is how Gabonese people refer to frozen chicken because it is often the only food, if not the default food, found in the freezers of Gabonese families.
Frozen chicken and meat are generally imported from Latin America and Europe. Their massive presence on the market has destroyed local production.
The Council of Ministers also announced a ban on exporting crude manganese from 1 January 2029. The objective is to promote local industrial development, create jobs and maximize the value of this resource, of which Gabon is the world’s second largest producer.
Sources: gabonactu.com
Mauritania is in the spotlight. On Thursday, May 29, 2025, Sidi Ould Tah was elected president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), at the annual meeting of the institution held in Abidjan. He succeeds Akinwumi Adesina of Nigeria, in office since 2015.
His election came after a hard-fought duel against Samuel Munzele Maimbo of Zambia, who finished in second place. The election, which was marked by major geopolitical and economic issues, took place against a background of high expectations regarding governance and development financing on the continent.
The Senegalese Amadou Hott, long perceived as one of the favorites, finishes in third place, followed by the South African Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala. Despite significant diplomatic support, notably for Hott, the momentum in favour of Sidi Ould Tah has prevailed in the last few rounds.
Former minister and general manager of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), Sidi Ould Tah is recognized for his experience and strategic vision. He will officially take office on 1 September 2025.
Photo credit: Forbes Africa
