{"id":5388,"date":"2017-07-25T15:30:29","date_gmt":"2017-07-25T06:30:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/en\/?p=5388"},"modified":"2023-02-16T17:40:05","modified_gmt":"2023-02-16T08:40:05","slug":"standing-on-a-springboard-the-gateway-to-west-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/en\/features\/trading-investment\/2017-07-standing-on-a-springboard-the-gateway-to-west-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"Standing on a Springboard: The Gateway to West Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"5388\" class=\"elementor elementor-5388\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1376d23d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1376d23d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1b7061e4\" data-id=\"1b7061e4\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fbe4152 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fbe4152\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 05-08-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>If you were able to run your finger along the western coastline of the African continent top to bottom, at some point in the middle, you would feel a tiny but sharp protrusion. That would be Dakar, the capital of Senegal. The city opens up to the vast Atlantic Ocean, making it an attractive entry point into West Africa.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-013c183 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"013c183\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 05-08-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready01-9-1.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MzU2MDAsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9uZXdzLnNhbXN1bmdjbnQuY29tXC91cGxvYWRcLzIuMFwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvc2l0ZXNcLzNcLzIwMTdcLzA3XC9yZWFkeTAxLTktMS5qcGcifQ%3D%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"463\" height=\"245\" src=\"https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/upload\/2.0\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready01-9-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-35600\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/upload\/2.0\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready01-9-1.jpg 463w, https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/upload\/2.0\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready01-9-1-300x159.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 463px) 100vw, 463px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc4478a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bc4478a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>To Mbargane Diop, a senior associate at Samsung C&amp;T\u2019s Senegal office, Dakar is the \u201cconfluence of Europe, the Americas, and Africa.\u201d It\u2019s where he sees an expanse of boundless potential. He also understands this gateway to West Africa offers the promise of rapid growth not only for businesses but also himself.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6cb9ba3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6cb9ba3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready02-5-1.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MzU2MDEsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9uZXdzLnNhbXN1bmdjbnQuY29tXC91cGxvYWRcLzIuMFwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvc2l0ZXNcLzNcLzIwMTdcLzA3XC9yZWFkeTAyLTUtMS5qcGcifQ%3D%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"444\" src=\"https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/upload\/2.0\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready02-5-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-35601\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/upload\/2.0\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready02-5-1.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/upload\/2.0\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready02-5-1-300x173.jpg 300w, https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/upload\/2.0\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready02-5-1-1024x592.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5063c0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e5063c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 05-08-2024 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Meet Mbargane Diop<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad6c738 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad6c738\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Based in Dakar, Diop works on project development in Senegal and other Francophone countries in Africa including Mali. He also focuses on unearthing new trading opportunities in the West African region.<\/p><p>He joined the company fresh out of business school in 2013 just after the Senegal office was established. He\u2019s a bright-eyed passionate worker, who enjoys discovering new things and visiting places unfamiliar, and speaks English, French, and the local Senegalese language.<\/p><p>Diop is naturally curious. For him, it\u2019s never just about the results. He\u2019s constantly thinking about the process behind things, and the factors that may have contributed to the outcome. He doesn\u2019t see everyday challenges in the office such as meeting personal and company goals as difficulties. They\u2019re things that just come with the job.<\/p><p>Mirroring Dakar\u2019s geographical traits, the office in Senegal is situated in a part of town that provides easy access to key areas: it\u2019s 15 minutes away from the airport, 20 minutes from city center, and a stone\u2019s throw away from partner offices and major hotels.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-73dd9b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"73dd9b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready03-5-1.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MzU2MDIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9uZXdzLnNhbXN1bmdjbnQuY29tXC91cGxvYWRcLzIuMFwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvc2l0ZXNcLzNcLzIwMTdcLzA3XC9yZWFkeTAzLTUtMS5qcGcifQ%3D%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"444\" src=\"https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/upload\/2.0\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready03-5-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-35602\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/upload\/2.0\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready03-5-1.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/upload\/2.0\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready03-5-1-300x173.jpg 300w, https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/upload\/2.0\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready03-5-1-1024x592.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70d9b28 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"70d9b28\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Launchpad for Business Opportunities<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9710404 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9710404\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In recent years, Diop took part in two major Samsung C&amp;T Maritime Infrastructure Enhancement Projects (MIEPs). One was a port construction and shipbuilding project completed in 2015, which was central to the Senegalese government\u2019s drive to improve access by sea to the country\u2019s central and southern areas, largely cut off by the Gambia.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1703936 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1703936\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready04-6-1.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MzU2MDMsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9uZXdzLnNhbXN1bmdjbnQuY29tXC91cGxvYWRcLzIuMFwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvc2l0ZXNcLzNcLzIwMTdcLzA3XC9yZWFkeTA0LTYtMS5qcGcifQ%3D%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"444\" src=\"https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/upload\/2.0\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready04-6-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-35603\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/upload\/2.0\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready04-6-1.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/upload\/2.0\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready04-6-1-300x173.jpg 300w, https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/upload\/2.0\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready04-6-1-1024x592.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc07c08 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cc07c08\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The other was winning a contract for supplying a dredging ship and building an oil depot in the country. With costs totaling US$88.1 million, the project carries great significance in Senegal and is a continuation of the previous port and shipbuilding project.<\/p><p>The Senegal office is overseen by the Accra office in Ghana, and together they extend their reach into other countries in the region. Diop describes the two offices as having a \u201cdynamic communication channel,\u201d be it through messaging apps, email, group chats, or frequent face-to-face meetings.<\/p><p>Through such efforts, the Dakar office has helped secure projects outside of Senegal such as Samsung C&amp;T\u2019s consortium last year to build an irrigation dam in Mali worth US$18.3 million.<\/p><p>\u201cI want to help make the Dakar office a launchpad for exploring business and trading opportunities in West Africa,\u201d Diop said.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21e19af elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"21e19af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready05-5-1.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MzU2MDQsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9uZXdzLnNhbXN1bmdjbnQuY29tXC91cGxvYWRcLzIuMFwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvc2l0ZXNcLzNcLzIwMTdcLzA3XC9yZWFkeTA1LTUtMS5qcGcifQ%3D%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"444\" src=\"https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/upload\/2.0\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready05-5-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-35604\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/upload\/2.0\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready05-5-1.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/upload\/2.0\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready05-5-1-300x173.jpg 300w, https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/upload\/2.0\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready05-5-1-1024x592.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8005e1d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8005e1d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Seeking a Broader Perspective<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8e65804 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8e65804\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>It\u2019s his clear vision that likely made him an attractive candidate for Samsung C&amp;T\u2019s Global Trainee program, which took him halfway around the world to the Seoul headquarters in April for a three-month visit.<\/p><p>At the top of Diop\u2019s to-do list back then was deepening his understanding of the project organizing business.<\/p><p>\u201cAt the Dakar office, we conduct market research and execute decisions made in Seoul. But in Seoul, I was able to attend meetings where those decisions are being made and understand how and why those decisions are reached. That helped me get a clearer picture on how project organizing works,\u201d said Diop.<\/p><p>Being able to directly partake in the overall process, especially on projects involving West Africa, was even more rewarding, he added. While in Korea, Diop visited the two port cities of Mokpo and Incheon to attend a steel-cutting ceremony for one of the projects he is currently involved in.<\/p><p>Another takeaway from his time in Seoul was being able to see the big picture. \u201cYou definitely get a better sense of what your role is, and what challenges you\u2019re up against,\u201d Diop said, adding that his visit also made him aware of what is expected from each person.<\/p><p>\u201cThe most important part of my experience in Korea was that I was able to expand my network. Now, I have more opportunities to work with others to develop stronger business projects,\u201d he said.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4003b8c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4003b8c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready06-4-1.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MzU2MDUsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9uZXdzLnNhbXN1bmdjbnQuY29tXC91cGxvYWRcLzIuMFwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvc2l0ZXNcLzNcLzIwMTdcLzA3XC9yZWFkeTA2LTQtMS5qcGcifQ%3D%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"444\" src=\"https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/upload\/2.0\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready06-4-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-35605\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/upload\/2.0\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready06-4-1.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/upload\/2.0\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready06-4-1-300x173.jpg 300w, https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/upload\/2.0\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/07\/ready06-4-1-1024x592.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dfdc9aa elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"dfdc9aa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Promising Market<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5012e5e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5012e5e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Dakar office has ambitious plans to secure at least one project every year in the countries it oversees. The city has become a central point for projects initiated under the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) \u2013 concessional loans from the Korean government \u2013 which extends aid to developing countries to meet their growing demand for better infrastructure and build strong cooperation models.<\/p>\n<p>Samsung C&amp;T is also pursuing bigger goals for the West African region as a whole. It already tops the list when it comes to supplying sodium cyanide to gold mines.<\/p>\n<p>Now back in Senegal, Diop sees greater potential in his home market, which is considered a new frontier for many companies and foreign governments.<\/p>\n<p>Some of his next goals include developing stronger management capabilities and expanding his network. Improving his Korean is also another long-term goal he has in mind.<\/p>\n<p>But what he\u2019s most ambitious about in the immediate future is landing fresh trading deals in West Africa, particularly in fertilizers, commodities, plastics, and steel products \u2013 all while looking to highlight the wealth of opportunities in the rest of the region.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you were able to run your finger along the western coastline of the African continent top to bottom, at some point in the middle, you would feel a tiny but sharp protrusion. That would be Dakar, the capital of Senegal. The city opens up to the vast Atlantic Ocean, making it an attractive entry [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5421,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[2103,2654,2655,2656,2657,2658,2659,2660,90,1814,342,2661,163,2662,2287,2288,187,1818,1683],"class_list":["post-5388","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-trading-investment","tag-africa","tag-dakar","tag-diop","tag-economic-development-cooperation-fund","tag-edcf","tag-francophone","tag-maritime-infrastructure-enhancement-projects","tag-mieps","tag-samsung-ct","tag-samsung-ct-trading-and-investment-group","tag-samsung-ct-trading-group","tag-samsung-cts-global-trainee-program","tag-samsung-trading","tag-senegal","tag-ti","tag-ti-group","tag-trading","tag-trading-and-investment-group","tag-trading-group"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Standing on a Springboard: The Gateway to West Africa - Samsung C&amp;T Newsroom<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/en\/features\/trading-investment\/2017-07-standing-on-a-springboard-the-gateway-to-west-africa\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Standing on a Springboard: The Gateway to West Africa - Samsung C&amp;T Newsroom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"If you were able to run your finger along the western coastline of the African continent top to bottom, at some point in the middle, you would feel a tiny but sharp protrusion. 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