Türkiye's Dakar ambassador seeks to strengthen privileged ties with Senegal

Türkiye's Ambassador to Dakar Dilşad Kırbaşlı Karaoğlu discussed the goal of raising bilateral trade with Senegal to $1 billion and areas of cooperation in an interview with Le Soleil.

Türkiye's Ambassador to Dakar Dilşad Kırbaşlı Karaoğlu gave an interview to Senegal's Le Soleil newspaper on the occasion of the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Republic. In the interview, published in the newspaper's October 29 edition, Karaoğlu discussed relations between the two countries and areas of cooperation.

Karaoğlu interview published in Le Soleil's October 29 edition

Trade target: $1 billion

Karaoğlu, who has served in Senegal since March 2026, said visits at the presidential level in 2024 and the prime ministerial level in 2025 had opened the way for elevating relations to the level of a strategic partnership.

Referring to the goal, outlined during Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye's visit to Türkiye, of raising bilateral trade to $1 billion, Karaoğlu said they wanted Senegalese products to gain a greater presence in the Turkish market, particularly in agriculture, fisheries and mining. Karaoğlu recalled that Turkish companies had proven themselves in Senegal through projects such as the Abdou Diouf International Conference Center, Dakar Arena, Abdoulaye Wade Stadium and Blaise Diagne International Airport.

Cooperation in education and culture

Karaoğlu said Turkish-language courses were offered at the Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center in Dakar, while the Türkiye Scholarships program provided Senegalese students with opportunities to pursue undergraduate, graduate and doctoral studies. She added that applications were generally accepted each year between January 10 and February 20.