Overview
Most local distributors of imported merchandise expect their suppliers to provide advertising and promotional support, particularly when introducing a new product or brand name. Sales promotion material and technical documentation should be in French.
Trade Promotion & Advertising
Although advertising has not yet achieved the sophistication typical of European and North American markets, Senegal offers a variety of advertising channels, including numerous television channels, large billboards, and to a lesser extent radio. As internet penetration rate increases, digital marketing is eating into traditional corporate marketing budgets. Advertising is in either French or Wolof. Many leading international advertising agencies have local affiliates.
Television accounts for 57 percent of advertising spending, with newspapers and radio taking up 16 percent each. Local production of TV commercials is far cheaper than in the United States. The major agencies in Dakar work with multinational companies such as Nestle, Maggi, and Coca-Cola tend to take ads filmed in Europe and the United States and adapt them slightly to the local market.
Senegal has a lively and diverse press, but newspaper circulation is for the most part limited to greater Dakar. National newspapers are in French.
Radiodiffusion Télévision Sénégalaise (RTS), the government television station, remains the country’s only public station, with fourteen other private television stations.
There are several specialized trade exhibitions in Dakar in agriculture and food processing, housing and construction, IT, medical equipment, and lately oil and gas. Embassy Dakar can assist U.S. companies in organizing product launches or technical seminars through the Single Company Promotion service.
Pricing
U.S. exporters will find pricing in CFA Francs (CFA), especially for repeat sales of deliveries over a six-to-twelve-month period, provides a substantial commercial advantage over quoting prices in U.S. dollars. When calculating selling prices, U.S. businesses should compare their prices to competitors and build into their cost structure an allowance for additional costs that often arise when selling into a developing market.
Foreign competition often grants credit of 60 to 90 days for consumer goods and 24 months for machinery and equipment. European banks often quote liberal terms and may discount paper for their exporters who are pursuing long-term credits. Pricing is liberal and directed by the market (supply and demand), except for a few sectors such as petroleum and gas, power, and water. In these exceptions, the government oversees or regulates pricing.
Payment via confirmed irrevocable letter of credit is often preferred by U.S. exporters, particularly at the beginning of a commercial relationship. However, insistence on L/C payment terms may limit a U.S. exporters’ rate of market penetration. European suppliers often offer liberal credit terms and a range of financing packages such as supplier credit. Competitive credit terms are an important factor in purchasing decisions and may be part of an effective marketing strategy in Senegal.
Sales Service/Customer Support
Senegalese consumers consider U.S. products as good quality. U.S. businesses should consider having a plan for technology transfer, capacity building, and training of personnel. French-language user manuals, personnel training, and a large inventory of spare parts are crucial components for successful after-sales services in Senegal. Product recalls are virtually unknown in Senegal.
Local Professional Services
The Economic and Commercial Section of the U.S. Embassy in Dakar maintains a list of attorneys, notaries, and tax accountants available upon request at DakarEcon-Com@state.gov.
Business Associations
Senegal has a few business associations representing the interests of their mainly private sector members who voice and advocate the concerns of their members during national consultations with the government. The Presidential Investors Council is an example of a forum where local business associations and foreign investors hold investment climate-related open discussions with the President of Senegal and his ministers.
American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM)
Mr. Mahi Kane, President
Tel: +221-33-8490500
Email: Contact@amchamsenegal.org
http://AmchamSenegal.org
Conseil National du Patronat du Sénégal (CNP – National Employers Association)
Mr. Baidy Agne, President
Tel: +221-33 869 6569 Email: Cnp@Orange.sn
http://www.Cnp.sn
Conseil National des Entreprises du Senegal (CNES)
Mr. Adama Lam, President
Tel: +221 33 823 09 74
Email: Cnes@Cnes.sn
CNP, which holds a broad sectoral reach and international affiliations, is the largest business association in Senegal. While CNESalso includes companies in the informal sector, it is only the second largest business association,
Club des Investisseurs Sénégalais (CIS)
Mr. Pierre Goudiaby Atepa, President
Ngor Immeuble SCI Mane derrière Shell route de l’aéroport
BP 29526.
Dakar, Yoff
Tel: +221 33 822 92 73
Email: Contact@ClubdesInvestisseurs.org
Presidential Investors Council
Mr. Moustapha Cissé, Permanent Secretary
Email: mcisse@apix.sn
Limitations on Selling U.S. Products and Services
Since 2005, Senegal has banned imports of uncooked poultry. Despite numerous advocacy calls from the U.S. government, the Government of Senegal maintains the ban on animal health grounds, though another motivation is to protect the local poultry industry. Senegal allows imports of cooked or heat-treated poultry products, including products from the United States when accompanied with the proper certificate of wholesomeness (FSIS Form 9060-5).