Senegal and Vietnam are seeking to expand their economic relationship through cooperation in rice production, cashew farming, infrastructure and investment, as the two countries explore ways to turn longstanding diplomatic ties into practical opportunities for businesses across Africa and Asia.
The discussions took place on November 15, 2026, when Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye met Vietnam’s General Secretary and President To Lam in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on the sidelines of the 20th Francophonie Summit.
A major focus of the meeting was agriculture, particularly the development of rice and cashew production. To Lam called for the implementation of existing agreements between the two countries and proposed mobilizing domestic and international resources for joint agricultural projects.
The discussions carry particular significance for Senegal’s food security ambitions. Rice is a major part of the country’s food supply, and Senegal continues to depend heavily on imports to meet domestic demand. According to Senegalese publication SeneNews, the country was projected to import 1.5 million tonnes of rice in 2026, equivalent to approximately 70 percent of its domestic demand.
Vietnam has an established position in the international rice trade, and its commercial relationship with Senegal has already expanded. SeneNews reported that Vietnamese rice exports to Senegal reached 168,020 tonnes in 2025, worth approximately $52.57 million. This provides an existing commercial foundation on which the two governments could build broader agricultural cooperation.
However, the discussions in Phnom Penh went beyond the purchase and sale of agricultural products. Both leaders explored opportunities for joint investment and the exchange of expertise, potentially creating room for cooperation in production, agricultural development and other parts of the food supply chain.
The two countries also see an opportunity to use their geographical positions to reach wider markets. Vietnam could serve as an entry point for Senegalese businesses seeking opportunities in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), while Senegal could provide Vietnamese companies with access to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Faye welcomed the proposals and described Vietnam as a development model, expressing his determination to make relations between the two countries an example of cooperation between Africa and Asia. He also pledged to facilitate investment by Vietnamese companies through information on potential projects and available investment incentives.
Beyond agriculture, the two leaders identified energy, telecommunications, digital technology, mining and infrastructure construction as additional areas for business cooperation. They also agreed to encourage companies from both countries to explore investment opportunities and strengthen the implementation of existing agreements.
The historical relationship between the two countries was another important part of the discussions. To Lam recalled that 115 years ago, Vietnamese revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh visited the port of Dakar and stood alongside African political activists, including Senegalese revolutionaries, during the struggle against colonialism.
Faye also held discussions with Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, according to the Senegalese Presidency. Their meeting focused on the relationship between Senegal and Quebec, shared positions on issues of mutual interest and opportunities to expand bilateral trade. Plamondon also highlighted Senegal’s stability and its potential as an entry point into African markets.
The two meetings reflect Senegal’s efforts to diversify its international partnerships, particularly with countries and economies that can contribute to its economic development. For the Senegal-Vietnam relationship, however, the next important test will be whether the commitments made in Phnom Penh lead to concrete agricultural projects, greater investment and stronger commercial links between the two regions.
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