Senegal’s merchandise trade balance swung from a CFAF160.0 billion surplus in August to a CFAF29.5 billion deficit in September 2026, a deterioration of CFAF189.5 billion in a single month. The figures were released on 5 November by the National Agency for Statistics and Demography (ANSD) in its monthly foreign trade bulletin.
Merchandise exports fell 20.4% month on month to CFAF566.0 billion from CFAF711.1 billion in August. Imports increased 8.1% to CFAF595.6 billion from CFAF551.1 billion. These figures measure trade values, not physical quantities.
In CFAF billions
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Source : ANSD, BMSCE September 2026. Rounded to one decimal, current prices.
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| Category | CFAF billions |
|---|---|
| Exports Aug. | 711.1 |
| Exports Sept. | 566 |
| Imports Aug. | 551.1 |
| Imports Sept. | 595.6 |
Merchandise trade in CFAF billions, August and September 2026
Lower crude oil shipments drive the export decline
The value of crude oil exports decreased from CFAF206.7 billion in August to CFAF123.3 billion in September, a drop of CFAF83.4 billion. Liquefied natural gas exports fell from CFAF28.4 billion to CFAF17.3 billion, while phosphate exports dropped from CFAF6.7 billion to CFAF0.2 billion.
Other shipments moved in the opposite direction. Non-monetary gold exports rose from CFAF109.8 billion to CFAF127.5 billion, canned fish from CFAF1.9 billion to CFAF11.0 billion and hydraulic cement from CFAF6.8 billion to CFAF12.3 billion. Those gains did not offset the monthly decline in energy-related exports.
In CFAF billions
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Source : ANSD, BMSCE September 2026. Rounded to one decimal, current prices.
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| Category | CFAF billions |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 206.7 |
| September 2026 | 123.3 |
CFAF billions, current prices
September deficit contrasts with a nine-month surplus
September’s month-on-month drop does not mean exports declined compared with the same month of 2025. On a year-on-year basis, exports were actually 34.5% higher, while imports were up 18.5%.
Over the first nine months of 2026, exports totalled CFAF5,103.5 billion, compared with CFAF4,097.6 billion a year earlier, a rise of 24.6%. Cumulative imports stood at CFAF5,047.4 billion, down 3.4% from CFAF5,224.5 billion in January–September 2025.
The January–September balance consequently remained in CFAF56.0 billion surplus, compared with a CFAF1,127.0 billion deficit over the same period in 2025. September’s reversal was monthly; the year-to-date balance remained positive.
Customs-based figures may be revised
ANSD compiles the data from customs declarations and supplements them with company reporting, particularly for selected export goods. Exports are valued free on board (FOB), while imports are valued cost, insurance and freight (CIF). Monthly estimates may be revised as additional reporting becomes available.
The bulletin also breaks down trade by partner. Senegal’s merchandise trade deficit with Nigeria widened from CFAF12.4 billion in August to CFAF57.9 billion in September; the deficit with Belgium increased from CFAF9.7 billion to CFAF24.4 billion. By contrast, the balance with Panama improved from a CFAF3.8 billion deficit to a CFAF52.4 billion surplus.
Primary source: ANSD, Monthly Foreign Trade Statistics Bulletin, September 2026, released on 5 November 2026, particularly pages 3, 5 and 7. Bulletin page and datasets.