The high-level meeting between Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye focused on enhancing cooperation in key sectors including trade, renewable energy and infrastructure. Mansour bin Zayed meets President of Senegal as the two sides seek to build on a relationship that has seen significant growth in recent years. According to WAM, the discussions took place at Qasr Al Watan in the UAE capital. The leaders also exchanged views on regional developments of common interest.
The meeting comes amid expanding economic links between the UAE and Senegal. Ministry of Foreign Trade figures show non-oil trade reached approximately 1.3 billion dollars in 2025, a 24.5 percent increase from the prior year. Bilateral trade in the first six months of 2026 surpassed 751 million dollars, reflecting 31 percent growth over the same period in 2025. This upward trajectory was highlighted as both officials expressed desire to further accelerate investment flows.
UAE engagement with the African continent has grown substantially, with investments exceeding 110 billion dollars across the region from 2019 to 2024, a Gulf News assessment found. Senegal has been a focal point for such partnerships, with multiple agreements signed in the past year covering mining, logistics and food security. The current talks aim to translate those pacts into tangible outcomes for both economies.
President Faye’s visit to the UAE included participation in sustainability forums, aligning with shared priorities in environmental protection and green energy. Sheikh Mansour welcomed the Senegalese delegation and underscored the UAE’s commitment to supporting developmental projects in Senegal. Further technical meetings are scheduled to follow up on the leaders’ directives.
In December 2025, a UAE delegation visited Dakar and inked 13 memorandums of understanding with Senegalese counterparts, the Ministry of Foreign Trade said in a statement. Those deals spanned sectors from digital technology to healthcare and construction. The momentum generated by that mission has carried forward into this week’s high-level discussions in Abu Dhabi.
Diplomatic relations between the UAE and Senegal date back to the 1970s, with steady progress in collaboration since then. The two countries have collaborated on initiatives ranging from humanitarian aid to economic development programs. The latest meeting reinforces the strategic partnership that continues to evolve in response to mutual interests.
