France and Senegal
Education, businesses and historical connections link France and Senegal. The return of military facilities during 2025 changed the defense framework. The change does not mean the end of all cooperation: dialogue, training and access arrangements have different instruments.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-07 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-07Return of military facilities
The French profile confirms full return of facilities during 2025 following Senegal's desire to end foreign bases.
Subsequent contacts during 2026
The profile includes the Senegalese president's participation in Africa Forward in May 2026.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 1,330 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / FRA |
| Goods: France to Senegal | 1,231.85 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / FRA |
| Goods: Senegal to France | 98.15 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / FRA |
| Services trade | ||
| Export share: France to Senegal | 0.18 % | 2025 · UN Comtrade / FRA |
| Export share: Senegal to France | ||
| Investment stock: France in Senegal | ||
| Investment stock: Senegal in France |
Definitions and sources
Trade adds both directions. Shares refer to the country’s total goods exports; investment is an accumulated stock, not an annual flow. Every figure retains the currency and period of its source. BEA positions are historical-cost estimates based on the immediate counterpart, not market values or investment by ultimate owner. ‘More than’ indicates a lower bound, not an exact amount. A recorded stock does not establish new activity or authorisation to operate under sanctions.
- Goods trade
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / FRA · Goods; full year; FRA reporter. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. No addition of mirror reports.
- Goods: France to Senegal
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / FRA · Goods; full year; FRA reporter. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. No addition of mirror reports.
- Goods: Senegal to France
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / FRA · Goods; full year; FRA reporter. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. No addition of mirror reports.
- Export share: France to Senegal
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / FRA · Goods share: FRA exports to the partner / the same reporter's exports to the world, same year.
Country comparison
Period and source beside each figure · est. = estimate by the stated institution.
Some annual indicators refer to different years. Check the period beside each value before comparing them.
| Indicator | France | Senegal |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 3.37 trillion USD2025 · WB | 37.01 billion USD2025 · WB |
| GDP per capita | 48,985.73 USD2025 · WB | 1,954.71 USD2025 · WB |
| GDP growth | 0.84 %2025 · WB | 6.68 %2025 · WB |
| Policy interest rate | 2.5 %2026-09-16 · BCE | |
| Inflation · annual average | 0.94 %Annual average · 2025 · WB | 1.46 %Annual average · 2025 · WB |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | 3 %provisionalprovisionalYear-on-year · Sept. 2026 · Insee | |
| Unemployment | 7.54 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 2.74 %ILO est.2025 · WB |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -5.1 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | -7.9 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 116 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 130.2 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | -0.27 %2025 · WB | -19.78 %2023 · WB |
| Population | 68,720,3372025 · WB | 18,931,9662025 · WB |
| Area | 606,410 km²2023 · BM / FAO | 196,710 km²2023 · WB |
| Military expenditure | ||
| Military expenditure (% of GDP) |
Definitions, dates and sources
Blank cells are not zero. Average annual inflation and the latest year-on-year figure appear in separate rows: they are not the same measure. Every annual indicator retains its reference year; when the years differ, the figures are identified as not directly comparable. When a figure is unavailable from the World Bank, an annual IMF estimate is used and identified as such. The latest year-on-year figure is the latest official release verified as of 7 October 2026. This includes advance releases marked as provisional. Mexico may have a fortnightly figure before the full month is published; it is not automatically compared with a monthly figure. The publication date is retained in each source’s details; it does not replace the observation period or the annual average. Policy rates carry their own dates and represent different instruments. Spain and France share the ECB rate. Balances are positive for surpluses and negative for deficits. The IMF may use fiscal years; unemployment retains each source’s definition (ILO estimates, IMF WEO or PCBS), as stated in the details. For Palestine, debt and the fiscal balance cover central government and retain the PCBS definition; they are not presented as consolidated general government. These are economic magnitudes, not measures of relationship quality.
Area retains each source’s territorial coverage; it does not determine sovereignty or effective control. Canada uses an archived national geographic reference. Military expenditure retains the 2024 SIPRI sample distributed by the World Bank: the amount and percentage of GDP use that same definition, which differs from NATO’s. It is not an approved budget or a 2026 figure. Information from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military expenditure database · Terms of use0
Indicators reviewed: 2026-10-07. Each source retains its original access date; this review does not turn all the data into 2026 observations. Figures may be revised.
- Nominal GDP
- Current USDFrance: 2025 · World BankSenegal: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personFrance: 2025 · World BankSenegal: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)France: 2025 · World BankSenegal: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)France: 2026-09-16 · ECB deposit facility; shared euro-area rate · European Central Bank
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)France: 2025 · Annual average change in CPI (%) · World BankSenegal: 2025 · Annual average CPI change (%) · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Inflation · latest year-on-year figure
- Headline CPI relative to the same period of the previous year (%); monthly or fortnightly frequency statedFrance: 2026-09 · Change in headline CPI from the same month of the previous year (%) · Insee · Published: 2026-09-30 · provisional · Provisional · National headline CPI, year-on-year, not monthly inflation or an annual average. Provisional data or an official advance release; subject to revision.
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionFrance: 2025 · World Bank · ILO est.Senegal: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate; percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)France: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.Senegal: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)France: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.Senegal: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPFrance: 2025 · World BankSenegal: 2023 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Population
- PeopleFrance: 2025 · World BankSenegal: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceFrance: 2023 · Total area, including inland waters; territorial coverage as defined by the source · World Bank · FAOSenegal: 2023 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Military expenditure
- Current USD per year; SIPRI series
- Military expenditure (% of GDP)
- Percentage of GDP; SIPRI definition, not NATO’s definition
Other data specific to this relationship
What they buy and sell
Documented selection, not an exhaustive list. Cells without a figure do not mean zero value; some products are identified without a verified amount.
France to Senegal
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Mineral fuels and oils | 339.8 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 129.9 M USD2025 · Source |
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 100.8 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 72.5 M USD2025 · Source |
| Land vehicles and components | 25.9 M USD2025 · Source |
Senegal to France
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Land vehicles and components | 1 M USD2025 · Source |
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 0.9 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 0.7 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 0.1 M USD2025 · Source |
| Mineral fuels and oils | 0 M USD2025 · Source |
Connections between people
Education, work, visits and community connections have their own records and procedures. Residents are not equivalent to annual arrivals, and visits may be repeated. The tables retain dates, definitions and sources to distinguish these connections from business contracts and government decisions. [2]
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from France living in Senegal | ||
| Residents from Senegal living in France | ||
| Study and training: France in Senegal | ||
| Study and training: Senegal in FranceSenegalese students in France | 17,722 | 2024/25 · France's Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Academic stays: France in Senegal | ||
| Academic stays: Senegal in France | ||
| Travel: France to Senegal | ||
| Travel: Senegal to France |
What each figure measures
Residents are counted by nationality and the coverage of the stated register, not as people born in the other country or as new arrivals in one year. PERE includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Study with OPT and stays carrying academic credit are different measures. Travel may include several visits by the same person; FRONTUR arrivals require an overnight stay, whereas the Canadian survey includes day visits. These figures are neither added together nor automatically compared across directions.
- Study and training: Senegal in France
- Academic-year student count; not added to visas issued in 2025 2024/25 · France's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Mobility data added or reviewed: 2026-10-07. Reference periods may be earlier.
Underlying ties
History, institutions and long-standing issues.
Return of military facilities
The French profile confirms full return of facilities during 2025 following Senegal's desire to end foreign bases. The physical return is distinguished from other cooperation channels. Leaving a base does not imply a diplomatic rupture or allow the inference that all security contacts have disappeared. The decision has its own effects on presence and sovereignty. [1]
The July 2025 timeframe
The military chiefs signed a letter of intent on July 15, 2025. The profile describes cooperation without permanent facilities, while retaining naval and airport access arrangements. An access arrangement does not equate to base ownership or unlimited authorization. The charter and its implementation must be distinguished from specific budgets and operations. [1]
Universities and human ties
The French source records 17,722 Senegalese students in France in the 2024–2025 academic year and 4,486 student visas issued in 2025. The first is a student count and the second an administrative flow: they are not added or compared as identical populations. The educational connection offers another perspective on the relationship, independent of military presence. [2]
The scale of the two economies
France recorded nominal GDP of 3366.3 billion USD in 2025, compared with 37 in 2025 for Senegal. The reference populations were 68.72 million (2025) and 18.93 million (2025), respectively. In the same year, France's nominal GDP was 90.97 times Senegal's. The figures contextualize market size; they do not in themselves describe well-being, individual wealth or political influence. IMF estimates or demographic extrapolations retain their markings in the table. A ratio is not calculated when the periods do not match. [4] [5] [6] [7]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Reviewed: 2026-10-07
Subsequent contacts during 2026
The profile includes the Senegalese president's participation in Africa Forward in May 2026. That forum has more participants, and not all its projects are bilateral. The meetings maintain dialogue after the military reconfiguration. The table's annual trade provides private activity and is not used as a measure of political acceptance of bases or security programs. [1]
Observed economic exchange
In 2025, goods recorded between France and Senegal totaled 1330 million USD. France's shipments to Senegal were 1231.9 million USD; those in the reverse direction were 98.1 million USD. France's shipments to the partner represented 0.18% of its goods exports to the world, using the same year and reporting country. A single customs declaration is used for both directions. This annual flow does not include all services activity or subsidiaries' local sales and is not added to accumulated investment capital. [3]
Human connections with their own figures
In 2024/25, the source recorded 17,722 students from Senegal in France. [2]
The counts describe different populations and periods: they are not added as a total of unique people. Open Doors includes OPT practical training; US study stays require academic credit. Arrivals by country of residence do not equate to nationality or permanent residence. The academic year retains its coverage and is not relabelled as a calendar year. [2]
Milestones and consequences
Sources and data
Periods and scope of the figures
Each figure retains its period, unit, definition and source. Announcements, contracts and results are not interchangeable. Empty cells do not mean zero. Customs data for 2025 are not presented as activity observed during later crises.
- France–Senegal relations
France's Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- France–Senegal education and human ties
France's Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Annual TOTAL X/M; 2025; reporter 251; partners 0,643,699,380,504,12,686
UN Comtrade / FRA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official statistics
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-09-17
- NY.GDP.MKTP.CD; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official statistics
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-06
- SP.POP.TOTL; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 27; 2025; reporter 251; partners 643,699,380,504,12,686; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / FRA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 30; 2025; reporter 251; partners 643,699,380,504,12,686; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / FRA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 84; 2025; reporter 251; partners 643,699,380,504,12,686; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / FRA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 85; 2025; reporter 251; partners 643,699,380,504,12,686; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / FRA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 87; 2025; reporter 251; partners 643,699,380,504,12,686; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / FRA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
Additional sources on products and human connections
- UN Comtrade / FRA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 27; 2025; reporter 251; partners 643,699,380,504,12,686; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / FRA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 30; 2025; reporter 251; partners 643,699,380,504,12,686; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / FRA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 84; 2025; reporter 251; partners 643,699,380,504,12,686; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / FRA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 85; 2025; reporter 251; partners 643,699,380,504,12,686; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / FRA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 87; 2025; reporter 251; partners 643,699,380,504,12,686; X/M; annual goods.