Through the creation of a military vehicle assembly plant, in partnership with South Korea, and the establishment of a presidential prize for innovation, Senegal is laying the foundations for a national defense industry. .
Senegal has just taken a decisive step in its quest for strategic autonomy in defense matters. The signing of a memorandum of understanding for the creation of a military vehicle assembly plant, combined with the announcement of a presidential prize for innovation, outlines the contours of a new ambition, namely to emerge a true national defense industry.
The choice of theme Towards the technological and industrial sovereignty of the armed forces » for Army Day 2024 celebrated Friday November 8 owes nothing to chance. It reflects a clear political will from President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to reposition Senegal on the regional scene.
This ambition is materialized by a substantial investment: 35 billion CFA francs for an industrial unit capable of producing 1000 military vehicles per year.
The establishment of the factory in the Mbacké-Touba area, in the Diourbel region (center) marks a break with the traditional Dakar tropism. For the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Serigne Gueye Diop, this establishment represents a crucial step. By structuring an industrial ecosystem in this area, he explains, ISEVEM is part of a long-term vision of territorialized industrialization.
The project is based on a technological partnership with South Korea. Ambassador Kwon Hyuk-woon emphasizes the cultural dimension of this cooperation. Beyond the material aspects, underlines the diplomat, this partnership aims to share the Korean mentality and work culture.
For General Birame Diop, Minister of the Armed Forces, the issue goes beyond the military framework. Investment in this sector, he asserts, constitutes not only a choice of sovereignty, but also a lever for innovation to transform national industry.
The planned integration of local SMEs and SMIs into the subcontracting chain should create a ripple effect across the entire national industrial fabric.
The success of this initiative is based on unprecedented government mobilization. The Minister of Industry promises complete support: facilitating access to land, infrastructure, and administrative authorizations.
President Faye is not content with importing technologies: he wants to stimulate local innovation. The establishment of a presidential prize dedicated to technological and industrial innovation in the military and paramilitary field illustrates this desire to mobilize national talents.
AC/SF/APA
