Senegal and Spain open talks to deepen cooperation on the social and solidarity economy
Priorities include financing for cooperatives and collective enterprise by women and young people. The two ministries aim for a memorandum of understanding.
Dakar — Senegal and Spain opened bilateral talks in Dakar on Thursday, 12 November, to strengthen cooperation on the social and solidarity economy (SSE), sharing experience and building partnerships between their institutions and local authorities, Senego reported.
The meeting brought together Senegal's Minister of Microfinance and the Social and Solidarity Economy, Alioune Dione, and Spain's Secretary of State for the Social Economy, Amparo Merino.
Four priorities
Dione noted that Senegal has had a law on the social and solidarity economy since 2021, in line with its Sénégal 2050 national transformation agenda. He proposed four areas of work: sharing experience and building skills, financing for SSE organisations, developing collective enterprise among women and young people, and access to markets and the green transition.
Merino said she wanted to learn more about Senegalese initiatives in the sector and to build on national and local experience in Spain.
Towards an agreement
The two sides aim to draw up a roadmap with a joint follow-up mechanism, with a view to signing a memorandum of understanding between their ministries. The initiative is meant to bring local authorities, cooperatives and other SSE organisations in both countries closer together.
Source: Senego, 12 November 2026.
