The official launch of the forum devoted to the salt industry took place on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 in Kaolack. The ceremony was held by the Deputy Governor in charge of administrative affairs of the region, El Hadji Malick Sémou

The forum, whose activities will end this Friday, October 27, is an initiative of GIZ, the German government agency for international cooperation, the Belgian Development Agency, the United Nations Children's Fund, the Directorate in charge of industry at the ECOWAS Commission, the Economic Community of West African States, and other organizations. According to El Hadji Malick Sémou Diouf, “the importance of the salt sector in the Senegalese economy no longer needs to be demonstrated [...] Senegal is the largest salt producer in West Africa.” According to the latter, “more than 500,000 tons of raw salt are produced every year by small and medium-sized enterprises and artisanal producers, representing 9% of the country's total potential, which is estimated at 5,595,702