The CNES is launching its back-to-school cocktail reception and is counting on alliances between its companies and industries to revive the economy.

Faced with a challenging national and international economic climate, the National Confederation of Employers of Senegal (CNES) has opted for a proactive approach and institutional innovation. On November 10th, the employers' organization held its back-to-business networking event at its headquarters in Dakar. This new strategic gathering brought together its presidents of federations and professional organizations (approximately thirty) around a key objective: to accelerate intersectoral synergies in order to build a highly competitive local offering across its entire value chain.

Intersectoral networking as a lever for growth

In his address, the president of the CNES, Abdel Kader Ndiaye, described this unprecedented meeting as an operational implementation of the confederation's 2026-2029 Strategic Plan. The stated ambition is to break down the isolation of the various sectors and shift towards a logic of consolidation, co-investment, and concrete business partnerships.

For this grand premiere, three leading organizations were in the spotlight: the National Federation of Industries of Senegal (FNIS), represented by its president Alla Sène Gueye and its secretary general Mr. Sahili, the Chamber of European Investors in Senegal (Eurocham), led by its president François Cherpion accompanied by its secretary general Mrs. Jeanne Makhlouf, and the National Federation of Electrical Energy of Senegal (FNEES), represented by the presidents Mor Kassé and Mamadou Saliou Sow.

Abdel Kader Ndiaye notably praised the growing strength of national capital alliances, citing the Jubanti Construction consortium as an example. This group of 14 members boasts a combined turnover of 450 billion FCFA and a total balance sheet of 1 trillion FCFA, illustrating the ability of local companies to compete in major public and private markets. This momentum also extends to the energy sector with the Jubanti Énergie group, which produces nearly 450 MW (approximately one-quarter of the national electricity production) and has mobilized nearly 500 billion FCFA in investments, and to education through the Federation for Education and Training (FEF), which successfully unites stakeholders from the private Catholic, secular Franco-Arab, private university, and health schools sectors.

Intergenerational union and industrial commitments

The event gave a strong signal of employer cohesion. Historical figures of the CNES, such as Babacar Ndiaye (Honorary President), shared the platform with the new generation of leaders, embodied in particular by the new president of the National Union of Buildings and Public Works (SNBTP), Ms. Léna Tall Faye, the vice-presidents Mamadou Abib Diop, Alla Séne Guéye, Abdoul Aziz Sy and Abdoul Aziz Ndao.

During the discussions, several leaders presented their companies' roadmaps for addressing current competitiveness challenges. Speaking next, Mamadou Abib Diop, CEO of the African Refining Company (SAR), detailed his organization's major projects aimed at promoting local content, strengthening the country's energy sovereignty and industrial capacity, and creating numerous business opportunities for SMEs and SMIs. The participants unanimously praised this unprecedented platform for dialogue.

Looking ahead to the 2027 Economic Days

Looking ahead, the president of the CNES announced the official return of the confederation's Economic Days for the first quarter of 2027. Focused on the theme "Senegal's trajectory in development: Assessment & Prospects", these meetings aim to take stock of Senegal's development before outlining future prospects.

The economic conference will be held under the high patronage of the Head of State. He will participate in a high-level panel with private sector stakeholders, economic theorists, and public decision-makers, thus demonstrating the business community's commitment to strengthening public-private partnerships and remaining a key player in proposing solutions for Senegal's development.