Diaspora

Background

Emigration generates significant monetary, human and material flows and the diaspora contributes substantially to the economic and social development of the countries of origin and host countries. The Senegalese in the diaspora contribute a great deal to the development of Senegal through their financial transfers and transfers of skills. In 2014, money transfers to Senegal have been estimated at around 876.8 billion FCFA, or 11.6% of the Gross Domestic Product; their potential for investment and growth is therefore considerable. In 2015, they will amount to 956.9 billion FCFA, i.e. an increase of 9%. These remittances are mainly consumed and a part is invested.

Thus, in the context of the implementation of the PSE, there is a strong emphasis on improving the promotion of investment by Senegalese abroad with a view to making the Diaspora a real actor of economic emergence. Emerging models of social success favour the profile of the migrant investor in his or her home environment, hence the importance of supporting investment by Senegalese from abroad in sectors with high growth potential at the territorial level.

Le défi d’informer, de manière appropriée les citoyens sénégalais de la diaspora, à propos des services aux investisseurs proposés par APIX-S.A. et des opportunités d’investissements demeure une préoccupation majeure des Autorités nationales. C’est dans ce cadre que le Président de la République a donné des instructions pour la création d’un guichet unique spécialement dédié à la Diaspora au niveau de APIX- S.A..

Thus, for a better monitoring of the projects of the Senegalese of the Diaspora, the one-stop shop will serve as liaison for the Investment Platforms (PLI) set up in each territorial pole. At the same time, it will be linked to the offices open for investments by Senegalese from abroad (S.E.) in host countries.

Convinced that a synergy of actions of the different partners would effectively contribute to facilitating investment by Senegalese Abroad, it is first of all a question of setting the objectives of the diaspora one-stop shop with the different missions, then presenting the organisation with a physical and a virtual counter.

I. Diaspora physical single window (APIX-S.A. headquarters)

The ultimate objective is to promote the policies, programmes and mechanisms implemented with regards to the development of investments in Senegal, so as to enable Senegalese in the diaspora to fully play their role in the overall sustainable development of the country and to occupy their rightful place as partners in the process of transforming the national economy. In other words, it is about facilitating the investment of Senegalese of the diaspora through assistance and advice in the creation of businesses, the incentive schemes, access to finance and to land.

II. Diaspora physical one-stop shop (APIX-S.A. website)

ùsA one-stop shop will be housed on the APIX-S.A. website and will enable on the one hand, to interact and respond swiftly to the constraints encountered by the diaspora, and on the other hand, to disseminate, in a continuous manner, useful information aimed at facilitating the decision to invest. Furthermore, an application will be downloadable from play store and apple store to provide swift access to the services offered by the Diaspora window which can be activated by the online registration number. After registration, the system will return a unique number that will allow the applicant to benefit from the online services. Internet users/applicants will be able to access specific and reliable information addressing their concerns.

• They will have access to the sectoral factsheets on different fields in several languages (national languages...);
• They will be able to download documents from the One-stop shop and BCE for investors, and statistical data from partner administrations.

III. Eligibility criteria

Senegalese expatriates wishing to invest in Senegal must fulfil specific criteria to benefit from the services of the diaspora one-stop shop. These are :

• To be Senegalese from abroad: presentation of the consular card, residence permit or any other document proving residence abroad for at least one year;
• For Senegalese who have been residing abroad and have returned to the country: to have been back for a maximum of one year;
• The location of the project in the different regions of Senegal