Lize-Mari Ras
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Senegal – Travel Guide

Facts to assist you while travelling to Senegal

 

Senegalese population

  • The Senegalese population currently stands at 17 million (2023).

 

Capital and Largest City

  • Dakar is the Capital and Largest city in Senegal.

 

Official Language(s)

  • French is the official language of Senegal.

 

Currency

  • The CFA Franc is the official currency of Senegal.

 

Office Hours

  • 08:00 – 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00.

 

Weekend

  • Weekends are held over Saturdays and Sundays.

 

Time Zone

  • UTC.

 

Calling Code

  • +221.

 

Tipping

  • If a service charge is not included in the bill a tip of 10% is acceptable.

 

Embassies

  • Most countries are represented by embassies or consulates located in the capital city.

 

Government

  • The Senegalese Democratic Party.

 

Climate

  • Senegal has a tropical climate with pleasant heat throughout the year. This West-African country has well-defined dry and humid seasons that result from northeast winter winds and southwest summer winds. The dry season lasts from December to April, and is dominated by hot, dry, harmattan wind. Dakar receives most of its rainfall between June and October.

 

Transport

  • The system of roads in Senegal is extensive by West African standards, with paved roads reaching each corner of the country and all major towns.

 

Economy

  • The main industries that contribute to Senegal’s economy include fish, phosphates, groundnuts, and tourism services.

 

Hospitality

  • Conversations generally kept positive and can only start after questions pertaining to the health and well-being of the other person and their family members are asked. Regardless of what may be happening in your personal life, it is incumbent that you respond to these questions positively and politely. People in Senegal tend to lower their gaze while conversing with one another, so try to avoid eye contact. Making eye contact with people, especially for extended periods, could possibly make you come across as arrogant.

 

Greetings

  • It is important not to rush the greeting process, as this is considered rude. Greetings may vary according to different ethnic groups. A handshake is the common greeting for acquaintances and when meeting people for the first time, while close friends may hug each other. Although most Senegalese are Muslims, cross-gender touch does occur here. However, very religious men and women may choose to refrain from doing so.

 

Money

  • The West Africa CFA franc is the currency of six independent states in Western Africa – Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. In several central African states, the Central African CFA franc (pronounced ‘’say-fa’’) is in circulation. The Central African CFA franc is of equal value to the West African franc. Both XAF and XOF currencies are referred to as the CFA franc.

 

Transportation

  • The main airport in Senegal is the Blaise Diagne International Airport. Senegal’s transport system comprises roads, some of which are unfortunately unpaved, rail transport, water transport, and air transportation. Dakar is the endpoint of three routes in the Trans African Highway network. National roads are named N1 through N7. Senegal has 7 ports, with the main being in Dakar. Dakar has one of the largest deep-water seaports along the West African coast.

 

Safety

  • Senegal is known for being of the safest countries in West Africa. Not only is it in their culture to be generous and hospitable towards all guests, but their low levels of overall crimes make it one of the most welcoming countries to visit in West Africa. However, as with any other country, some areas remain safer than others. Thus, be sure to abide by the local laws, practice caution, and be vigilant at all times in order to make the best of your stay in this friendly country.

 

Culture

  • While there are over ten ethnic groups in Senegal, only five are predominant. The largest ethnic group is the Wolof, who reside in the northwest and centre of the country. Most Senegalese follow a religion, and often incorporate some traditional cultural beliefs in their religions practices as well. Freedom of religion is emphasised in the constitution of the country. Although Senegal is predominantly Muslim, with a Christian minority, it is open to various religions and the various religious groups coexist in relative harmony.

 

Shops

  • Senegal has numerous stores, shopping centres, and malls that are modern like that of those in western countries, especially in its capital city. Therefore, shopping and entertainment should be no hassle.

 

To read more exciting blogs, please click on the link below:

Blog

Written by Saudika Hendricks

Edited by Eloise Williams

Sisipho Ntsabo
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Senegal to start manufacturing Covid-19 vaccines

Senegal has joined the list of African countries to secure the patent right to manufacture the COVID-19 vaccines in 2022. The country has signed a deal with Belgian biotech group, Univercells to produce these vaccines in the next year. Senegal joins the likes of Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa in the list of African countries that have successfully secured the rights to produce the jabs.

In April, Univercells announced the signing of a letter of intent for collaboration with the Institut Pasteur in Dakar, Senegal. Under the Univercells agreement, the Institut Pasteur supplies Covid-19 vaccines to countries across West Africa using vaccine production technology developed by Univercells. The initial packaging and distribution of these vaccines would begin early next year.

This is good news for Africa. As we reported in our last article, Africa is currently undergoing its third wave. Out of a continent of 1.3 billion people, only 7 million people have been fully vaccinated. Institut Pasteur director Amadou Sall says that the facility is at work with donors to secure financial backing for this huge project. Furthermore, Sall adds that there is a lot of political will for this project to create a real opportunity in Africa.

In other good news, the European Union (EU) said last month that it is willing to invest at least 1bn to build manufacturing hubs in Africa, with Senegal, SA, Rwanda, Morocco, and Egypt among the leading candidates. South Africa’s Biovac Institute has been in contact with the German and French governments and their respective pharmaceutical companies to produce 30m Covid-19 vaccines annually. Further, South Africa’s Aspen Pharmacare is already in the process of Janssen vaccine shots locally.

Senegal will be a great destination for investment, and we are proud to offer services for Immigration and Relocation services into Dakar, Senegal. Please contact us for further information.

Have a look at the brief overview, housing, school and immigration information about Senegal on our locations website: https://www.relocationafrica.com/locations/senegal/

 

 

 

Sisipho Ntsabo
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Third Wave of COVID-19 infections hit Africa

In Africa, there is an alarming third wave as the vaccine rollout is hampered. In recent light of the vaccine rollout in all parts of the world, third world countries vaccine rollout seems to be stagnant, experts fearing that it may take decades to vaccinate their respective countries.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) regional office has reported that the third wave of Covid-19 cases is spreading faster in Africa. On Thursday, 17 June 2021, WHO regional director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti warned, “With a rapid increase in the number of cases and increasing reports of severe disease, the latest wave threatens to be the worst to date in Africa,”

According to the regional office, for five consecutive weeks, Africa has seen an increase in Covid-19 cases, signaling the beginning of the third wave in Africa. “As of 20 June—day 48 into the new wave—Africa had recorded around 474 000 new cases—a 21% increase compared with the first 48 days of the second wave.” As reported by WHO, the pandemic is resurging in 12 African countries and at the current rate of infections, the ongoing surge is set to surpass the previous one by early July.

18 African countries have already used over 80% of their COVAX vaccine supplies, 29 have administered over 50% of their suppliers, and eight have exhausted their vaccine supply. It is important to be aware that just over 1% of Africa’s population has been fully vaccinated. Globally, 2.7 billion doses have been administered, with just under 1.5% having been administered in Africa.

Dr Moeti is urging the international community to help Africa deal with the Covid-19 vaccine supply as the surge threatens to impair not only Africa’s economy but society.

 

 

Sisipho Ntsabo
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Facebook in Partnership with WHO Launches Campaign to Tackle Fake Covid-19 and Vaccine News

Facebook has launched a campaign in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to combat misinformation and fake news regarding Covid-19 and vaccine updates in Africa. This campaign aims to remove false vaccine claims, decrease the circulation of inaccurate health information and inform people about effective vaccine delivery.

The campaign called, ‘Together Against Covid-19 Misinformation’ is set to be launched across Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo and Côte d’Ivoire. The default language on this campaign will be French and English.

Public Policy Manager, Aïda Ndiaye stated that ensuring Facebook users receive authoritative information about the Covid-19 vaccine with the help of industry experts and Facebook users are important to tackle misinformation. She further comments on the campaign gives users “additional resources to scrutinize content they see online, helping them decide what to read trust and share.”

This campaign will show up on Facebook through a series of graphics with tips on how to identify false news/ misinformation:

  1. Check The Source: Scrutinise content, even if it appears science-based
  2. Check How It Makes You Feel: False news can manipulate feelings for clicks 
  3. Check The Context: Look to public health authorities to confirm content 

A dedicated website will be launched as part of the website as part of the campaign. This website includes information on how Facebook is combating misinformation, transparency on their ‘Remove, Reduce and Inform strategy.’, their outlined community standards and steps they are taking to tackle false news around global events.