The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, and the Head of State of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, have decided this Thursday to boost the bilateral relationship to the highest level, agreeing to turn it into a strategic partnership. In the joint declaration, both leaders have highlighted the good results of the circular migration programs with this African country and have reaffirmed their determination to continue combating irregular immigration.
At the end of the meeting held at the Moncloa Palace, the two presidents have signed a joint declaration by which Senegal becomes the first Sub-Saharan African country with which Spain establishes a strategic partnership, the highest degree of cooperation between the two States.
With this new framework, Spain and Senegal are opening "a new era based on strategic and regular dialogue, articulated through high-level meetings that will be held periodically and alternately in Spain and Senegal," the signed document specifies. It emphasizes that these summits, led by both leaders, will serve to "provide the bilateral relationship with greater coordination, predictability, and effectiveness in all areas of common interest."
In migratory matters, Sánchez and Faye have underlined "their shared interest in promoting regular, orderly, and safe migration, conceived as a factor of economic and social development for both countries" and have reiterated "their commitment to continue with the close and fruitful collaboration in the fight against irregular immigration," as stated in the joint declaration.
Both leaders have also focused on "the importance of circular migration programs and labor mobility schemes to generate opportunities," advocating "for training schemes, such as the Tierra Firme program, that contribute to talent generation."
According to the information provided by Moncloa, the circular migration program initiated in 2024, which allows Spanish companies to hire temporary workers from Senegal who return to their country once their work is finished, benefited 560 employees in the agricultural sector in 2025.
On the economic and commercial level, the two presidents have highlighted "the commitment reached within the framework of the Africa Advances Alliance to expedite the implementation of investment projects in strategic sectors, capable of contributing to economic development and the strengthening of human capital in Senegal" and have positively assessed that "progress is being made on specific projects in the areas of satellite connectivity, the agri-food sector, and remittances".
Signing of Memoranda and New Sectoral Agreements
Coinciding with Faye's first official visit to Spain, both executives have also proceeded to formalize several memoranda and cooperation frameworks. Firstly, a bilateral memorandum of understanding on fisheries has been signed which, as Moncloa has detailed, will allow for the reinforcement of an already consolidated relationship through an agenda focused on sustainability, training, research, and good governance, as well as cooperation against illegal fishing.
Likewise, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise, through ICEX, has signed a memorandum with the Agency for the Promotion of Investments and Major Projects of Senegal (APIX). The objective is to intensify collaboration in the exchange of information on policies, regulations, and investment incentives, in the organization of trade missions and joint events, and in the improvement of the business climate through the exchange of technical knowledge.
In the tourism sector, it has been agreed to create a cooperation framework aimed at promoting pilot projects, structural investments, and joint tourism development initiatives between the two countries. This framework includes the promotion of specialized products such as river and sea cruises, agritourism proposals, and birdwatching activities.
In the educational field, another agreement has been signed which aims, among other purposes, to promote the teaching of Spanish in Senegal and French in Spain, as well as to facilitate students and professionals from both states to share experiences, improve their linguistic skills, and reinforce mutual understanding between cultures.
Lastly, the Ministry of Culture has agreed to the establishment of a collaboration framework aimed at the exchange of experiences, tools, and methodologies, with the purpose of promoting archaeological research, protecting underwater cultural heritage assets against commercial exploitation, and favoring the conservation of said assets.