Chinese buses in Senegal boost local jobs if conditions are met
The arrival of Chinese-made buses in Dakar could transform urban mobility in Senegal, but only if the project delivers tangible benefits to local workers and businesses. This stance comes from Udo Bullmann, a prominent socialist member of the European Parliament, who addressed the controversy surrounding a €300 million European Union tender for bus procurement and infrastructure in the capital.
While some European officials have condemned the potential award of the contract to a state-linked Chinese company—citing past violations of EU subsidy regulations—Bullmann took a pragmatic approach. He emphasized that the key criterion should be the creation of skilled local jobs and added value within Senegal, rather than the origin of the winning bidder.
« It doesn’t matter to me, as long as the project employs Senegalese workers and builds capacity locally, » Bullmann stated during a press briefing in Brussels. His remarks reflect growing recognition that foreign investment in Africa must prioritize human capital development to ensure sustainable growth.
The tender, which has drawn criticism for its scale and potential favoritism, gained further momentum in June when Senegal and China signed an agreement to establish a bus assembly plant in the country. This initiative aligns with the government’s push to modernize public transport while fostering industrial partnerships that go beyond mere imports.
Bullmann, who chairs the European Parliament’s delegation to South Africa, went further by asserting that Europe should support African-led solutions. « If African nations seek exploitation, they may turn to certain powers. If they seek repression, others may follow. But if they seek partnership and progress, Europe must stand ready to assist—on African terms, » he remarked.
His comments come amid a broader debate over EU development policies, particularly the push for « European preference » in funding mechanisms. Bullmann rejected such proposals, arguing that future EU-backed projects should instead prioritize Senegalese and broader African production. « The priority must be local value creation—this is what truly matters, » he stressed.
Barry Andrews, Chair of the European Parliament’s Development Committee, echoed this sentiment, urging Senegalese authorities to select the bid that best serves their long-term interests. « Ultimately, choosing a more expensive European option over a cost-effective Chinese alternative may mean paying twice as much, » he noted, highlighting the need for balanced, pragmatic decision-making.
