Fisheries and blue economy: Senegal and the Netherlands strengthen their cooperation

The Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, Amy Mara Dièye, received on Friday the ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Senegal, Carmen Hagenaars. The discussions focused on prospects for cooperation in the field of the blue economy and on several structuring projects, particularly in Casamance.

The Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, Amy Mara Dièye, received in audience, Friday September 11, 2026, the ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Senegal, Carmen Hagenaars, as part of a courtesy visit.

The discussions focused on the possibilities of strengthening the partnership between the two countries, in particular through projects likely to promote job creation and the development of the national economy. Particular attention was paid to the structuring projects envisaged in Casamance, including the port project and the capacity building initiatives carried out with the support of the Netherlands.

The minister also requested Dutch support for initiatives aimed at promoting the entrepreneurship of women processors and various players in the maritime economy. Aquaculture and the sustainable development of fisheries were also on the agenda of discussions, as part of Senegal’s blue economy guidelines.

For her part, Ambassador Carmen Hagenaars reaffirmed the Netherlands’ desire to support Senegal in its projects linked in particular to the blue economy. She also expressed her availability to contribute to the identification of Dutch investments in Senegal.

The two parties also discussed economic cooperation between the two countries, in particular collaboration with the Dutch group Damen in the naval sector. On this subject, the ambassador invited the minister to visit the sites concerned. The meeting is part of the desire of the two countries to strengthen their cooperation in the sectors of fishing, aquaculture and, more broadly, the maritime economy.