In the space of four decades, China has undergone one of the most dramatic economic transformations in contemporary history. It has gone from a country marked by rural poverty to a global industrial hub, producing nearly 30% of the world's manufacturing value added. What is now called the "Chinese miracle" is the result of a combination of policies, investments, and reforms deeply integrated into a long-term vision.

For Senegal, which aspires to become a West African industrial hub, this experience offers many lessons. But transposition is not automatic: each context has its own specific economic, institutional, cultural, and demographic characteristics.

1. The ingredients of the Chinese industrial miracle

Chinese industrialization is based on a coherent set of levers, applied with consistency and pragmatism.

1.1. A long-term strategic vision

• China has relied on its five-year plans to guide its entire production apparatus, with quantified objectives and dedicated financial resources.

• This planning was not limited to industry: it integrated education, innovation, infrastructure and trade openness.

1.2. Massive investment in infrastructure

• Between 1990 and 2015, China built more than 100,000 km of highways, modernized its ports and deployed the world's largest high-speed rail network.

• Industrial zones are directly connected to transport networks and energy sources, drastically reducing logistics costs.

1.3. Special Economic Zones (SEZs)

• The creation of SEZs, such as in Shenzhen, has made it possible to attract foreign direct investment through tax exemptions, simplified administrative procedures and increased freedom to experiment with new policies.

• The SEZs served as showcases for the “” and disseminated their best practices to the rest of the country.

1.4. Workforce mobilization and training

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An abundant workforce, initially unskilled, was quickly trained through technical and vocational programs tailored to the needs of the industries.

• The state has also invested in universities and research centers to support the technological upgrade.

1.5. Controlled opening to international trade

• China initially protected its nascent industries, then gradually exposed them to global competition.

• Integration into the WTO in 2001 accelerated its integration into global value chains, while maintaining strategic control over certain key sectors.

2. Senegalese realities: strengths and constraints

Strengths

• Strategic geographical position: gateway to West Africa, only 6 hours flight from Europe and connected by sea to the Americas and Asia.

• Political stability: a relatively predictable environment for investors compared to other countries in the region.

• Agricultural, fishing and mining potential: exploitable resources for industrialization (peanuts, gold, phosphate, zircon).

• Emerging industrial infrastructure: hubs such as Diamniadio and Sandiara, port projects (Ndayane) and expansion of the motorway network.

Constraints

• Insufficient infrastructure: high logistics costs and limited rail network.

• Limited human capital: deficit in technical and managerial skills.

• Import dependence: lack of intermediate industries producing the inputs needed for manufacturing production.

• Limited domestic market: obligation to orient industrialization towards export.

3. Adapting Chinese levers to the Senegalese context

A complete transposition of the Chinese model is neither possible nor desirable. Rather, it is a matter of selecting and adapting the relevant elements.

3.1. Targeted sectoral planning

• Identify 3 to 4 priority sectors with strong export potential (agribusiness, textiles and clothing, renewable energy, construction materials).

• Set quantified objectives in terms of jobs, export market share and local content.

3.2. Export-oriented SEZs and local processing

• Insert technology transfer and mandatory training clauses into installation contracts.

• Avoid simply creating industrial enclaves disconnected from the economy

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3.3. Dual training and partnerships

• To draw inspiration from the German model of dual vocational training, in partnership with companies located in the SEZs.

• Develop short and specialized technical sectors to respond quickly to market needs.

3.4. Strategic Infrastructure

• Prioritize port and rail logistics, as well as access to reliable and affordable energy.

• Investing in digital infrastructure to facilitate Industry 4.0.

4. A Sino-Senegalese partnership to be strengthened

China is already one of Senegal's main economic partners, with projects financed under the Belt and Road Initiative. For this partnership to truly contribute to sustainable industrialization, the following would be necessary:

• Develop joint R&D projects in technologies adapted to the African context.

• Create Sino-Senegalese industrial incubators to promote the emergence of competitive local SMEs.

• Establish bilateral agreements for the transfer of know-how, accompanied by clear training objectives.

Conclusion

The Chinese miracle is based on a combination of strategic vision, massive investments, pragmatic management, and gradual movement up the value chain. For Senegal, the challenge is to extract the fundamental principles while adapting them to its own realities: a limited domestic market, a workforce in training, and a different institutional environment.

The intelligent adaptation of these levers, combined with a long-term vision, could allow Senegal to chart its own path towards sustainable industrial success.

Article written by Moustapha TOURE, development economist trained in China/English teacher at the Ngaparou high school.