Sénégal: a new vision for territories and diaspora from Paris to creil
From Paris to Massy, stopping in Creil, the leader of Senegal’s Alliance pour le Sénégal has rallied the diaspora around a bold vision for the country’s future.
A fresh approach to national development
During a recent European tour, Alioune Sarr, President of the Alliance pour le Sénégal / Andando Ngir Senegaal (APS/ANS), engaged directly with Senegalese communities across France to promote a transformative agenda centered on territorial empowerment, diaspora engagement, and economic sovereignty.
In a series of town-hall-style meetings, Sarr met with families, professionals, students, and entrepreneurs in Paris, Essonne, and Oise. The gatherings, held in intimate settings like the Foyer Les Mûriers in Paris’ 20th arrondissement, provided a platform for frank exchanges on Senegal’s most pressing challenges—from job creation to rural development—and how the diaspora can play a pivotal role in addressing them.
Creil: a strong show of support
The momentum reached its peak in Creil, where local leaders like Amy Faye, APS/ANS political coordinator in France, organized a high-energy session. The event drew a diverse crowd of activists, business owners, and young professionals, all united by a shared belief in decentralized growth and local leadership.
« The diaspora is not just a source of remittances—it’s an engine for nation-building, » Faye emphasized. « We must move beyond symbolic gestures and invest in tangible projects that uplift our communities at home. »
A call for unity in diversity
Sarr’s message was clear: Senegal’s progress depends on breaking free from a top-down model that has long favored Dakar at the expense of other regions. « A body cannot thrive with a single lung. Dakar is the heart, but the territories are the lungs—without them, the nation cannot breathe, » he argued.
He highlighted Notto Diobasse Smart City as a flagship example of how local initiatives can drive national growth. By fostering integrated hubs for production, innovation, and training outside the capital, Sarr believes Senegal can achieve a more balanced and resilient economy.
Land as a catalyst for change
Beyond infrastructure, Sarr challenged outdated perceptions of land ownership. « A hectare is not valuable because it’s sold—it’s valuable because it’s developed. » He drew parallels between selling undeveloped land and exporting raw materials: both strip the nation of future potential.
« Wealthy nations don’t sell their resources—they transform them. Senegal must do the same, turning its land into a foundation for jobs, industry, and food security, » he asserted.
Diaspora: the missing link in Senegal’s development
Throughout the tour, Sarr framed the diaspora as strategic partners in Senegal’s economic revival. « The diaspora is not an ATM—it’s an open ministry of development, » he quipped, urging compatriots abroad to shift from passive support to active investment in local enterprises.
He concluded with a rallying cry: « We didn’t come to manage the future—we came to build it. » The enthusiastic response from Paris to Creil suggests a growing appetite among Senegalese abroad to shape the country’s next chapter.
