Senegal joins the International Dairy Federation: a first for West Africa
Context: A booming dairy market but dependent on imports
Senegal is one of the main consumers of milk in West Africa, alongside Nigeria, Mali and Burkina Faso. However, local production remains insufficient and only covers part of national needs. The majority of demand is met by imports, despite a notable increase in local production in recent years.
Strategic Membership at the World Dairy Summit
Senegal marked a turning point for its dairy sector by officially joining the International Dairy Federation (IDF) at the World Dairy Summit, which took place in Paris from 15 to 18 October 2024. With this membership, Senegal becomes the first West African country to join the IDF, joining Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa and Zimbabwe in the organisation. Founded in 1903, the IDF brings together dairy producer associations and dairy industry federations from 40 countries, representing more than 75% of global milk production.
Expected Benefits for the Senegalese Dairy Sector
By joining the FIL, Senegal can hope to benefit from technical support, advanced knowledge and new production technologies to develop its dairy sector. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), local milk production in Senegal grew by 15.2% between 2017 and 2021, reaching nearly 280.6 million liters in 2021 thanks to genetic improvements in breeds and the modernization of farms.
A Commitment to Sustainable Production
At the 2024 edition of the World Summit, FIL also signed the Paris Declaration on Sustainability in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). This initiative aims to strengthen members’ commitment to more sustainable dairy production, a goal aligned with Senegal’s ambitions for an environmentally friendly dairy sector.
Conclusion: A Promising Step Towards Dairy Autonomy
Senegal’s membership in the International Dairy Federation marks a major step forward for the country’s dairy sector. By accessing international resources and knowledge, Senegal is strengthening its capacity to meet its local needs and reduce its dependence on imports, while adopting a sustainable production approach.
