Appointed on April 6, 2024, Serigne Guèye DiopSenegal’s new Minister of Industry and Trade, recently formed his cabinet. According to an article published by Africa Intelligence, entitled “The very family-oriented team of Minister of Industry, Serigne Guèye Diop”, the appointments within this cabinet reveal a trend marked by very family-oriented choices.
To run his office, Serigne Guèye Diop called on The President of Kebe Ndiayeformer director of the Nestlé research and development center in Ivory Coast. The President of Kebe Ndiayea former employee of the Swiss agri-food giant, is also the eldest daughter of the minister’s wife. She is accompanied by Yacine Diakhatealso a former Nestlé employee, who was appointed technical advisor to the ministry.
Besides The President of Kebe Ndiayeother family members of Serigne Gueye Diop occupy key positions in this new cabinet. In charge of public relations, Daba Diopthe minister’s daughter, brings her experience acquired at the Institute of Higher Studies of the Arts (IESA) in Paris and in the communication of the artist and former minister of tourism, Youssou N’Dour, which she led from 2016 to 2022. In addition, Ismaila Ndiayelarge of The President of Kebe Ndiaye and son-in-law of the minister, was called upon as a strategy consultant, providing his expertise during several recent meetings at the ministry.
Discovering these appointments may suggest that the minister is prioritising his own family over others. However, this is not necessarily the case, as the people appointed are competent and their family connection does not presume their lack of competence.
Serigne Gueye Diop has already been talked about. Former mayor of Sandiara, he is recognized for having created many jobs in his town. As Minister of Commerce, he was at the center of the news when the government decided to reduce the prices of certain basic necessities. Faced with this measure, the Association of Millers and Industrialists of Senegal (AMIS) initially stopped the production and sale of flour. Serigne Gueye Diop then threatened to sanction the recalcitrants, which led the players in the sector to reverse their decision and immediately resume production. This action by the minister was widely welcomed by the population on social networks.
