Senegal

More information about Senegal is available on the Senegal Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.

U.S.-SENEGAL RELATIONS

The United States established diplomatic relations with Senegal in 1960, following its independence from France and the dissolution of the Mali Federation. Senegal had three presidents from 1960 to 2012. Power was transferred peacefully from one president to his hand-picked successor in 1981, and transferred again in elections in 2000. The country's fourth president was elected in 2012.

Senegal is a strong U.S. ally as a regional, diplomatic, and economic partner. The country shares many fundamental values and international goals with the United States, and it has been a symbol of democracy as well as ethnic and religious tolerance. Senegal also has contributed to regional peacekeeping operations. However, it faces internal threats to its stability due to a growing youth population, limited employment prospects, increasing urbanization, weak private sector investment, and the gradual erosion of good governance and transparency.

U.S. Assistance to Senegal

U.S. assistance seeks to increase the professionalism and capacity of the Senegalese Armed Forces, as well as to support increased agricultural production, improved health care, and better basic education. U.S. assistance also aims to help consolidate democratic outcomes resulting from Senegal's 2012 presidential and legislative elections, while continuing to support Senegal's efforts in anti-corruption, transparency, and good governance.

Bilateral Economic Relations

Senegal is eligible for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. U.S. exports to Senegal include oil, vehicles, machinery, plastic, rice, and textile articles. U.S. imports from Senegal include artificial flowers and feathers, and fish and seafood. The two countries have signed a bilateral investment treaty. The United States also has a trade and investment framework agreement with the West African Economic and Monetary Union, of which Senegal is a member.

Senegal's Membership in International Organizations

Senegal and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.

Bilateral Representation

The U.S. Ambassador to Senegal is Lewis Lukens; other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.

Senegal maintains an embassy in the United States at 2031 Florida Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009 (tel. 202-234-0540).

More information about Senegal is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:

Department of State Senegal Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Senegal Page
U.S. Embassy: Senegal
USAID Senegal Page
History of U.S. Relations With Senegal
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
Investment Climate Statements
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Countries Page
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Export.gov International Offices Page
Millennium Challenge Corporation
Travel and Business Information