From the bustling coastline of Dakar to the historic shores of Gorée, and stretching from the airport highway to remote inland villages, tens of thousands of solar streetlights now provide light across Sénégal. This burgeoning market is largely controlled by two French firms: Ragni, a family-run business based in the Alpes-Maritimes, and Fonroche, an SME headquartered in Agen. These entities are part of a larger network of 340 French companies currently operating in the country.

Growth opportunities for French SMEs

While major industrial players such as Orange, TotalEnergies, Auchan, and Eiffage have been established in West Africa for decades, smaller and medium-sized enterprises are now also finding significant growth prospects in this market. These SMEs are successfully identifying new niches, proving that the economic landscape in Sénégal offers potential far beyond the reach of just the most prominent corporate giants.