Senegal’s future hinges on territorial development and diaspora partnership

During a recent European tour, Alioune Sarr, President of the Alliance for Senegal (APS/ANS), engaged with the Senegalese diaspora in France to champion a transformative vision for the nation’s future. From Paris to Massy and Creil, his mission centered on fostering a new covenant between territories, diaspora, and sovereignty, emphasizing decentralized growth as the cornerstone of progress.

The tour unfolded in intimate settings, where Sarr met directly with Senegalese families and community leaders. In Paris’ 20th arrondissement, he visited the Les Mûriers hostel, while in Massy, Essonne, he addressed pressing concerns about national development, economic opportunities, and the role of overseas citizens in shaping Senegal’s destiny. These dialogues were not merely discussions—they were calls to action, urging the diaspora to become active partners in the country’s economic and social revival.

Creil resonates with a call for collective progress

In Creil, Hauts-de-France, the Senegalese community turned out in force to hear Sarr’s proposals. Amy Faye, the APS’s political coordinator in France, led the session, underscoring the importance of unity and shared responsibility. Attendees—ranging from entrepreneurs and students to local leaders—expressed enthusiasm for ideas centered on territorial development, productive investment, and economic sovereignty.

The message was clear: Senegal’s future cannot be dictated by centralized policies alone. Sarr argued that decades of top-down governance have left many regions behind, concentrating wealth and opportunity in urban hubs like Dakar. « Centralization stifles growth, » he asserted. « True progress emerges when territories are empowered to act. » This philosophy frames his broader critique of Senegal’s current model, which he believes disproportionately favors Dakar at the expense of rural and regional areas.

A vision of balanced national growth

Sarr dismisses the notion of pitting Dakar against the rest of Senegal. Instead, he advocates for a symbiotic relationship: « Dakar is the nation’s heart, but the territories are its lungs. A body cannot thrive with just one functional lung. » His vision hinges on leveraging each region’s unique strengths—whether agricultural, industrial, or cultural—to create a more equitable and resilient economy.

He pointed to Notto Diobasse Smart City as a blueprint for this approach. The project exemplifies how local initiatives can drive national development by fostering innovation, training, and industrialization outside the capital. « Senegal’s growth will not trickle down from Dakar, » Sarr declared. « It will rise from the territories upward. »

Land as a catalyst for transformation

Another pillar of Sarr’s strategy is reimagining land ownership as a driver of prosperity. He criticized the sale of undeveloped land as shortsighted, comparing it to exporting raw materials. « A hectare’s value lies not in its sale, but in its cultivation, » he emphasized. « Nations that transform their resources—rather than selling them—are the ones that prosper. » His plea is for a shift from passive land transactions to active, value-creating development.

Diaspora as a driving force

The diaspora, Sarr argued, is not just a financial lifeline but a « ministry of development in the open air. » He urged Senegalese abroad to invest in local projects, mentor youth, and collaborate with territorial authorities to bridge gaps between urban and rural economies. « The diaspora’s role is not to write checks, but to build futures, » he noted. « Together with territories, women, youth, and entrepreneurs, we can craft a sovereign and inclusive Senegal. »

By the tour’s end, Sarr had laid out a three-pronged vision for national renewal: strong territories, a mobilized diaspora, and economic sovereignty. The turnout in Paris, Massy, and Creil reflected a growing appetite among overseas Senegalese for involvement in ground-level development.

Sarr’s closing words echoed this urgency: « We didn’t come to manage the future. We came to build it. »