President Bassirou Diomaye Faye officially inaugurated the Strategic Council of the “SunuChampions” initiative this Tuesday at the Presidential Palace in Dakar.
This presidential program, established by decree on January 7, 2026, represents a core strategy for strengthening Senegal’s economic sovereignty by fostering a competitive base of national companies capable of excelling on domestic, regional, and international stages. Following the installation ceremony, the Council held its first working session under the direct authority of the head of state to begin the steering and guidance of this ambitious national project.
The initiative centers on the selection of fifteen high-potential companies through a rigorous and transparent call for applications. Once chosen, these businesses will receive specialized support to accelerate their growth, with the ultimate goal of transforming them into key drivers of national development that generate sustainable employment and foster industrial innovation. To ensure the success of this program, the Strategic Council is composed of seven prominent figures from the private sector, public administration, and academia, including former minister Mouhamadou Makhtar Cissé and former APIX SA CEO Aminata Niane.
During its inaugural session, the Council provided the President with recommendations regarding the program’s roadmap, specifically focusing on eligibility criteria, selection procedures, and the mechanisms for state support. Members of the body praised the initiative as a bold redefinition of the relationship between the state and the private sector, moving toward a partnership centered entirely on economic transformation. Through “SunuChampions,” the administration seeks to position the domestic private sector as the central lever for growth while establishing the state as a demanding yet reliable strategic partner for Senegalese entrepreneurs.
TE/lb/abj/APA