Senegal has a maritime zone of about 198,000 km2 with a continental shelf of 23,800 km2. The Senegalese coasts are ranked among the richest in the world. The maritime area is experiencing an upwelling of cold waters, whose nutrient-rich salts stimulate the development of an abundant and diversified flora and fauna. The main ecological factors are: • the existence of six eco-geographic areas that are suitable for marine fisheries and aquaculture and offer many opportunities. • the availability of sufficient water resources whose characteristics are ideal for high-yielding aquaculture; • the 718 km coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and the river mouths; • the length of the Senegal River (1,700 km); • the length of the Gambia River (750 km); • the length of the Casamance River (320 km); • the estuaries of the Sine Saloum; • the Lake of Guiers that covers 280 km2 and has retention basins.
SENEGAL’S STRATEGIC POSITION Senegal wants to optimize and grow its position on the aquatic products market by banking on its geostrategic position at the edge of West Africa and its openminded regional and international viewpoint, supported by modern and competitive infrastructure (ports, airports and a tightknit network of roads. The goal is not only to continue exporting raw materials, but also to upgrade products by processing them. This involves several parameters: • The drastic drop in fish catches thereby supporting the introduction of species such as Nile tilapia, abalone and catfish; • Favorable water temperatures in Senegal allowing, in particular, the tilapia to reach a marketable size more rapidly than in the other producing countries;
• Breeding and reproduction conditions in Senegal that will probably make Nile tilapia production very competitive; • The possibility to raise tilapia in Saint Louis, especially in the flood plains and on the Petite Côte using a closed circuit intensive farming system; • The potential for aquafarming, semi-intensive or intensive, in the Sine Saloum and Casamance regions. • The potential for tiger shrimp aquafarming, semi-intensive or intensive, in the Sine Saloum and Casamance regions.
THE DIGITAL ECONOMY During the last decade Senegal has taken major qualitative strides into the digital revolution and has acquired modern infrastructure that ensures uninterrupted connections with the rest of the world (100% high-speed digital network throughout the country that offers a variety of products: ADSL, Frame Relay, ISDN, VSAT, etc.). This has enabled Senegal to modernize its administration and facilitate the registration of new companies. Senegal has become a reliable provider on the tele-services and outsourcing markets and is now competing with countries such as Morocco, India, Mauritius and Tunisia. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Senegal has the highest penetration rate and the best quality of services in all of West Africa. Senegal’s comparative advantages have enabled the country to position itself in the vanguard sectors such as cyber security.
COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES Senegal’s geographic location, mastery of the French language, and the quality and competitiveness of the workforce all contribute to developing Senegal’s high value-added services in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector.
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