ASEPEX

What ASEPEX does

ASEPEX (Agence Sénégalaise de Promotion des Exportations) is the official government export promotion agency of Senegal, established in 2005 to reduce the country's trade deficit and accelerate non-oil, non-mining exports under the Plan Senegal Émergent (PSE) and Senegal Vision 2050 frameworks. Headquartered in Dakar, the agency operates as a state-owned établissement public reporting to the Government of Senegal. It is led by Director General Modou Mbène Gueye and Secretary General Assane Diankha, with a small staff of 11-50 employees and a Board of Directors governance structure.

The agency's service portfolio spans six priority sectors — mangoes, seafood, agri-food, handicrafts, cosmetics, and textiles — and includes certification of origin, export counseling, market intelligence (country and product fact sheets), training programs, trade missions, and B2B matchmaking. Rather than operating a commercial technology platform, ASEPEX delivers services through direct field engagement, international exhibitions (Expo Osaka 2025, Foire de Paris 2026, FIDAK), and an extensive institutional partnership network that includes IPD (Germany), CBI (Netherlands), AFD (France), World Bank/IFC, BIE, ADEPME, ARM, APDA, BNDE, and bilateral trade relationships with the UK, China, Japan, and Turkey.

Revenue is derived from Senegalese national budget allocations rather than commercial fees. The agency has no proprietary technology, app, or API product; its asset is its statutory mandate, diplomatic reach, and institutional partnerships. The 2026 partnership cadence (IPD, AFD, CBI, World Bank/IFC CreatiFI, Go Media) reflects a strategic intensification of the Senegal 2050 National Transformation Agenda, particularly the formalization of cultural and creative industries and rural/ women/youth entrepreneurship as additional growth engines.

Name

ASEPEX

Legal name

Agence Sénégalaise de Promotion des Exportations

Website

https://asepex.sn

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ASEPEX is Senegal's government export promotion agency, established in 2005, that supports Senegalese SMEs across mangoes, seafood, agri-food, handicrafts, cosmetics, and textiles through certification of origin, trade missions, training, and B2B matchmaking under the Plan Senegal Émergent.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Export Promotion Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

akta.pro primary industry

Export Promotion & Market Access Support (BPADAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Certificates of Origin & Trade Certificates (COO, Chamber/Legalization) (TLACAHAC), Product Regulatory Compliance for Cross-Border Trade (e.g., FDA, USDA, CPSC, CE/REACH/RoHS) (TLACAGAH), Import/Export & Cross-Border Food Commodity Trading (AFAIAKAL)

Keywords

• Export promotion services
• Trade facilitation
• Market access support
• International trade development
• Export certification services

Headquarters

HQ city

Dakar

HQ country

Senegal

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Budget Allocation: ASEPEX operates as a Senegalese government agency funded through national budget allocations. The agency implements public policy objectives related to export promotion under the Plan Senegal Émergent (PSE) and Senegal Vision 2050 frameworks.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ASEPEX is Senegal's government export promotion agency that facilitates international market access for Senegalese enterprises, particularly SMEs. The agency issues certificates of origin, provides export formalities assistance, delivers market intelligence and country fact sheets, organizes trade missions and B2B matchmaking, conducts export training programs, and coordinates Senegal's participation in international trade fairs across six priority sectors: mangoes, seafood, agri-food, handicrafts, cosmetics, and textiles.

Product overview

ASEPEX (Agence Sénégalaise de Promotion des Exportations) is Senegal's government export promotion agency established in 2005. Rather than a software product, ASEPEX provides export facilitation services across six key sectors: Mangoes, Seafood, Agri-food, Handicrafts, Cosmetics, and Textiles. The agency offers assistance with export formalities, customs administration, product packaging compliance, quality improvement, and market access facilitation for Senegalese businesses seeking to expand into international markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MANGUES (Mangoes) Export Promotion
• FRUITS DE MER (Seafood) Export Promotion
• AGROALIMENTAIRE (Agri-food) Export Promotion
• ARTISANAT (Handicrafts) Export Promotion
• COSMETIQUES (Cosmetics) Export Promotion
• TEXTILES Export Promotion

Quantifiable outcome

• From 1,000 tonnes to 35,000 tonnes horticultural exports (2000-2010), reaching 85,000 tonnes in 2015
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core, emerging and supporting.

• AFD (Agence Française de Développement)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2026Discussions with AFD on partnership axes targeting women and youth entrepreneurship in rural areas. AFD delegation included Lamine Bruno Morin (Infrastructure, Energy and Private Sector) and Myriam RAFI (Public Banking, Microfinance and Entrepreneurship). Focus on territorial development and entrepreneurial impact.
• IPD (Import Promotion Desk)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2026Partnership with IPD, Germany's Import Promotion Desk, to provide 5-day training on export strategies and storytelling for Germanophone markets (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg). Training focuses on Moringa, Hibiscus, and Baobab products for 100 million consumer markets. Companies FAM MORENGA and BIOSENE participated in field visits.
• CBI (Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Dutch CBI for the 'Youth in Horticulture in Senegal' project aimed at creating decent jobs for youth in the horticultural value chain. Aligned with Senegal 2050 National Transformation Agenda. CBI is part of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Go MediaemergingGTM or Marketing PartnerFuture collaboration with Go Media press company led by PDG Coumba Gawlo SECK to strengthen promotion of cultural and creative industries nationally and internationally. Creative industries recognized as the 4th engine of growth in National Transformation Agenda.
• ADEPME (Agence de Développement et de l'Encadrement des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for SME capacitation with ADEPME directed by Marie Rose FAYE. Shared objectives include capacity building and support for SMEs to be competitive in national and international markets. A protocol agreement is planned.
• ARM (Agence de Régulation des Marchés)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual cooperation between ASEPEX and ARM for SME accompaniment. ARM Director General Ansoumana SANÉ visited ASEPEX to discuss collaboration on sensitizing and training SMEs on key development parameters. Partnership convention planned.
• APDA (Agence pour la Promotion et le Développement de l'Artisanat)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with APDA directed by Sophie Zinga SY for artisan support and Expo Osaka 2025 preparation. Focus on organizing and accompanying artisans to be internationally competitive. Partnership convention planned.
• World Bank (Banque Mondiale)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership discussions under the 'Croissance et Emploi' program for SME support. World Bank representatives praised ASEPEX's work in accompanying enterprises at trade events. Development of strategic convention for better support of exporting enterprises.
• World Bank / IFC - CreatiFI ProjectmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical assistance project with World Bank and EU support through IFC to explore potential of cultural and creative industries for employment and economic perspectives in Senegal. Part of Senegal 2050 Agenda and private sector promotion.
• DIE NIPPON CONSTRUCTION (DNC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapanese construction company DNC contracted to build Senegal Pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025. Contract signed by Minister Serigne Gueye DIOP. ASEPEX Director General Modou Mbene GUEYE, as Vice General Commissioner, will monitor construction.
• HAGE GROUP (Turkey)emergingGTM or Marketing PartnerTurkish company specializing in trade shows and B2B events, with West Africa representation including Senegal subsidiaries (SENCON construction, SENEFOOD, SENEPACK, SENAUTO, SENENERGY). Interested in helping Senegalese enterprises reach new markets.
• ANSOLAR (China)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChinese solar company planning to install 4-hectare production facility in Diass in partnership with German investors. Projected 400 direct jobs and $100 million annual revenue. Part of strengthened Sino-Senegalese cooperation following President Faye's visit to China.
• BNDE (Banque Nationale de Développement Économique)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerASEPEX participated in BNDE Terroubi Forum discussing financing mechanisms including leasing and factoring for enterprise support. ASEPEX reaffirms commitment to supporting economic actors through innovative solutions.
• UK (United Kingdom)emergingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral meeting between Senegal and UK with ASEPEX participation. Discussed trade volume, value, and sector exchanges. Goal to reverse Senegal's trade deficit with UK through established relations and business matching.
• COSEC (Conseil Sénégalais des Chargeurs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with COSEC on maritime and commercial sector competitiveness. ASEPEX Director General participated in COSEC's 50th anniversary and strategic development plan presentation under Fatou Diouf, Minister of Fisheries.
• ASPT (Agence Sénégalaise de Promotion Touristique)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordination with ASEPT for Senegal's participation in Foire de Paris 2026. Meeting led by both Director Generals to establish coordinated country participation and strengthen collaboration for promoting Senegal destination.
• Foire de Paris / World in ParismajorGTM or Marketing PartnerStrategic meeting with Foire de Paris organizers including Director Steven Abajoli. Explored Senegal participation in World in Paris event with custom communication plan, strategic exhibition space, and Senegal Day proposal.
• BIE (Bureau International des Expositions)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASEPEX Director General Modou Mbène GUÈYE as Senegal's BIE delegate participated in BIE Information and Communication Commission meetings in Paris. Planning Capacity Building Programme in Dakar and preparing for Expo Osaka 2025, Belgrade 2027, and Riyadh 2030.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ProColombia: Colombia's export promotion, foreign investment, and country branding agency. Operates with a broader mandate than ASEPEX (investment plus exports) but serves a similar function as a government-aligned trade promotion body targeting non-traditional export sectors in an emerging-market context.
• Türkiye İhracatçılar Meclisi (Turkish Exporters Assembly, TİM): Turkey's umbrella organization coordinating export promotion across sectoral exporter associations. Functions as a quasi-governmental trade promotion body with broader sectoral reach than ASEPEX, but provides a reference model for organizing exporter cohorts and trade fair participation at scale.
• ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency): Brazil's national trade and investment promotion agency, established as a non-profit private entity under public oversight. Directly comparable to ASEPEX as a government-mandated export promotion body, but operates at materially larger scale with a broader sectoral mandate and a hybrid public-private governance model that ASEPEX could benchmark.

Others

• Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI): Dutch CBI is part of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and connects SMEs in developing countries to European markets. ASEPEX's partnership with CBI on Youth in Horticulture positions CBI as a complementary demand-side counterpart rather than a direct peer, but its sector programs overlap directly with ASEPEX's agrifood mandate.
• Import Promotion Desk (IPD): Germany's import promotion program for SMEs in developing and emerging economies, operated on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. ASEPEX is an active IPD partner for the Germanophone corridor — IPD acts as a complementary demand-side agency rather than a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA): Ghana's statutory body responsible for the development and promotion of non-traditional exports. Closely comparable to ASEPEX in mandate, West African context, sectoral focus on agrifood and processed goods, and government agency structure — making it the most direct peer in terms of operating environment and challenge set.
• Maroc Export (Moroccan Export Development Agency): Morocco's national export promotion agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Comparable government-led structure and export diversification mandate, with a more mature track record in agrifood and handicraft exports that ASEPEX could benchmark against for sectoral development pathways.
• Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA): Kenya's state export promotion agency with a mandate to develop and promote Kenyan exports globally. Comparable mandate and government agency structure to ASEPEX, with similar focus on horticulture, agro-processing, and crafts for international markets.
• Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC): Nigeria's federal export promotion council tasked with diversifying non-oil exports, similar to ASEPEX's non-oil/non-mining export mandate. Operates in a comparable West African regulatory environment and serves a similar exporter profile (SMEs in agrifood, processed goods, and handicrafts).
• Ethiopian Export Promotion Agency (EEPA): Ethiopia's national export promotion agency focused on coffee, horticulture, leather, and textile exports. Comparable in mandate and operational constraints to ASEPEX — African government agency promoting agricultural and light-manufacturing exports with similar capacity and structural challenges.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/asepex
• Xx.com/asepex1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/asepex

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ASEPEX