The UAE delegation including Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Government Knowledge Exchange Mohammed Rashid bin Tali’a held discussions with Senegalese counterparts to identify new avenues for collaboration in governance practices and capacity building according to a statement from the Emirates News Agency. These talks build directly on a memorandum of understanding signed several years ago that has structured bilateral efforts in public administration reform. The Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government has coordinated the initiative focusing on areas such as leadership development digital transformation and innovative policy design. Senegal’s participation reflects its interest in adopting successful models from the UAE’s government operations to support its own national development goals.
Previous cooperation under the agreement has produced more than 80 training workshops involving over 14000 working hours and benefiting more than 4000 Senegalese government personnel a Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government assessment found. Topics have ranged from strategic planning to public service innovation with an emphasis on practical implementation. The latest round of meetings sought to scale up these activities while incorporating emerging priorities such as sustainable development and technological integration in governance. Officials from both sides reviewed progress to date and outlined steps for a renewed phase of the partnership.
The UAE has positioned government knowledge exchange as a key pillar of its broader engagement with African nations including Senegal. This approach complements economic ties with non-oil trade between the two countries reaching approximately 1.3 billion dollars in 2025 representing growth of 24.5 percent from the prior year according to UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade data. During the visit delegates also explored how enhanced administrative cooperation could support investments in sectors like renewable energy and infrastructure. Such alignment aims to create a more robust foundation for long-term bilateral relations.
Her Excellency Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi the UAE Minister of State for Government Development and the Future previously highlighted the value of these programs in fostering effective public institutions. In earlier remarks she noted the tangible outcomes from the Senegal partnership in elevating administrative capabilities across multiple government functions. The current delegation’s work continues that trajectory with a focus on adapting lessons to Senegal’s specific context. Both countries have expressed commitment to measurable results in the next phase of cooperation.
The partnership forms part of the UAE’s wider strategy to share expertise in government excellence with partner nations across the region and beyond. Senegal has integrated elements of this training into its public sector reforms contributing to improved service delivery in key areas. Future plans discussed during the September meetings include additional workshops and potential joint initiatives on digital governance. This exchange has proven mutually beneficial with the UAE gaining insights from Senegal’s experiences in certain developmental domains.
Trade and investment discussions during the visit underscored the potential for governance improvements to facilitate economic growth with bilateral trade in the first half of 2026 already surpassing 751 million dollars and rising 31 percent year on year according to UAE government figures. The delegation held separate sessions with Senegalese ministers to align administrative reforms with priority sectors. These efforts are expected to yield further memorandums of understanding in the coming months. The meetings concluded with agreement to maintain regular follow-up on the expanded partnership framework.
