Centre international du commerce extérieur du Sénégal (CICES)

What Centre international du commerce extérieur du Sénégal (CICES) does

Centre International du Commerce Extérieur du Sénégal (CICES), also known as Centre International d'Échanges de Dakar (CIED), is a Senegalese public institution established in 1974 under the supervision of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. It operates the country's primary exhibition and conference infrastructure in Dakar, comprising the Parc des Expositions (16,000+ m² indoor across 13 pavilions and 29,000 m² outdoor) and the Palais des Congrès (modular, climate-controlled spaces for 50–2,000+ participants). CICES owns and organizes a portfolio of recurring international trade fairs, anchored by FIDAK (Foire Internationale de Dakar, UFI-certified since 1978), SISDAK (health), FILDAK (books), REDAK (Ramadan), and the regional Saly Expo. It serves three primary customer segments: international and local exhibitors (businesses, artisans, SMEs) renting booth space; conference and event organizers booking the Palais des Congrès; and the general public purchasing event tickets. Government ministries, diplomatic missions, and trade promotion agencies (ASEPEX, APIX, ADEPME, CCIAD) participate as institutional partners and co-organizers.

CICES monetizes primarily through exhibition booth rentals priced per square meter (35,000–50,000 FCFA/m² depending on zone), a compulsory 75,000 FCFA exhibitor registration fee, conference room and gala rentals at the Palais des Congrès, and direct-to-consumer ticket sales through its proprietary cicesticket.com platform. It has also developed FoireConnect, a B2C/B2B e-commerce marketplace aimed at digitizing Senegalese artisanal commerce. The institution's distribution is anchored by direct venue sales, digital ticketing, and UFI-mediated international fair network access. CICES operates with a lean staff of approximately 35 employees while still delivering an annual trade fair that draws 200,000+ visitors and 1,000+ exhibitors from 30+ countries, indicating a highly outsourced operating model. The current Director General, Justin Correa, was appointed in July 2024 and has publicly framed CICES as an evolving international commercial, cultural, and conference hub aligned with Senegal 2050 national development priorities.

Name

Centre international du commerce extérieur du Sénégal (CICES)

Legal name

Centre International du Commerce Extérieur du Sénégal (CICES)

Website

https://cices.sn

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CICES is a Senegalese government public institution operating the country's premier exhibition park and conference center in Dakar. It organizes flagship international trade fairs (FIDAK, SISDAK, FILDAK, REDAK) and rents venue space to exhibitors, event organizers, and government bodies across West Africa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Exhibition and Conference Venue Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

akta.pro primary industry

Convention & Exhibition Center Operations (Expo Halls, Trade Show Venues) (MPAGALAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Exhibition & Trade Show Management (Conference-Adjacent) (THAHACAF), Professional & Association Conferences (MPAGAGAB), Convention & Exhibition Centers (Public Convention Centers, Civic Centers) (THAHAAAA)

Keywords

• Trade fair management
• Exhibition venue rental
• Conference venue services
• International expo organization
• Event hosting services

Headquarters

HQ city

Dakar

HQ country

Senegal

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Exhibition Space Rental: CICES generates revenue primarily by renting exhibition booths and pavilion space to exhibitors at its organized fairs and events. Pricing is per square meter with tiered rates based on location and booth type. Registration fees are also charged to exhibitors.
2. Conference Venue Rental: The Palais des Congrès generates rental income from hosting conferences, seminars, galas, and congresses for external organizers. Spaces accommodate 50 to 2,000+ participants and are equipped with climate control and WiFi.
3. Online Ticketing: Revenue from consumer ticket sales for event entry through the cicesticket.com platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CICES operates Senegal's premier international trade fair and congress venue, providing exhibition space and conference facility rentals at the Palais des Congrès and the Parc des Expositions in Dakar. The institution organizes major recurring trade fairs (FIDAK, SISDAK, FILDAK, REDAK, Saly Expo, FFA) and operates the FoireConnect e-commerce marketplace for artisanal products and the cicesticket.com online ticketing platform. Services are sold to international and local exhibitors, government event organizers, and the general public attending events.

Product overview

CICES operates as an exhibition and conference center offering venue rental services through two primary facilities: the Palais des Congrès (Conference Palace) with modular, climate-controlled rooms for 50 to 1,200 people, and Le Parc des Expositions (Exhibition Park) with 27,000 m² of covered space across 13 pavilions and 29,000 m² of outdoor areas. The organization manages a portfolio of major annual trade fairs including FIDAK (International Trade Fair of Dakar, the largest West African economic event since 1974), FILDAK (International Book Fair), SISDAK (International Health Fair), and REDAK (Ramadan Trade Fair). Digital services include the FoireConnect e-commerce platform for Senegalese artisans and an online ticketing system. The venue portfolio also hosts cultural events, award ceremonies, and regional fairs such as Saly Expo.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FIDAK (Foire Internationale de Dakar): The flagship international trade fair organized by CICES since 1974, one of Africa's largest economic events.
• FILDAK (Foire Internationale du Livre et du Matériel Didactique)
• SISDAK (Salon International de la Santé)
• REDAK (Foire commerciale du Ramadan de Dakar)
• FoireConnect

Products and services

• Palais des Congrès du CICES Conference venue with climate-controlled, modular spaces accommodating 50 to 1,200 people, equipped with adapted technology and dedicated staff for hosting congresses, galas, seminars, and national or international conferences. Available for rent by event organizers, government ministries, and private clients.
• Le Parc des Expositions du CICES Exhibition park with six main pavilions and seven regional pavilions covering 27,000 m² of indoor space, plus 29,000 m² of outdoor exhibition areas, technical buildings with warehouses (50 to 400 m²), and offices for hosting events and trade fairs. Available for rent to exhibitors and event organizers.
• FIDAK - Foire Internationale de Dakar Major international trade fair held annually since 1974, recognized by the UFI since 1978. The 33rd edition (2025) features 17,842 m² of exhibition space, 380 direct exhibitors, 1,725 indirect exhibitors, over 200,000 visitors, and representation from 30 countries targeting a sub-regional market of 300 million consumers in West Africa.
• FILDAK - Foire Internationale du Livre et du Matériel Didactique International book and educational materials fair organized since 1985, the only regular event of its kind in French-speaking Sub-Saharan Africa, held in partnership with the Direction du livre et de la lecture (Ministry of Culture). Targets publishers, educators, and the general public.
• SISDAK - Salon International de la Santé et du matériel médical de Dakar International health and medical equipment trade fair featuring pharmaceutical industry exhibitions, B2B networking sessions, scientific forums, and public health awareness activities, held alongside OIC HEALTH EXPO. Targeted at pharmaceutical industry investors, healthcare professionals, and the public.
• REDAK - Foire commerciale du Ramadan de Dakar Ramadan commercial trade fair featuring exhibitions, a Halal Business Forum, Quran recitation competition, free healthcare services, Iftar/ndogou offers, and Korité fashion show. Targeted at consumers, businesses, and cultural participants during the Ramadan period.
• Saly Expo International fair held in Saly promoting Made in Senegal products and territorial dynamism, organized in partnership with SAPCO, featuring over 250 exhibitors and a forum on economic development topics. Targeted at exhibitors, SMEs, and regional development stakeholders.
• Foire de Fin d'Année (FFA) End-of-year trade fair organized following the FIDAK based on public and exhibitor demand, featuring festive shopping opportunities. Targeted at consumers and exhibitors during the year-end holiday season.
• FoireConnect Online B2C/B2B e-commerce marketplace developed by CICES to digitalize Senegalese artisanal products trade, providing artisans with visibility, opportunities, and direct access to national and international markets for Made in Senegal products.
• Billetterie en ligne CICES Online ticketing platform at cicesticket.com enabling visitors to purchase event entry tickets for CICES-organized fairs and exhibitions. Targets the general public and event attendees.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200,000 visitors attend CICES events annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Présidence de la République du SénégalcoreOthers · 26 April 2026The President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko visited the FIARA 2026 fair at CICES, reaffirming the government's conviction that the agro-sylvo-pastoral and fisheries sector should be a major lever for national sovereignty and economic development.
• Foire de Paris (Paris Expo)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 December 2025Steven Abajoli, Director of the Foire de Paris (Paris Expo), visited the FIDAK 2025 at CICES, touring pavillons, discovering exhibitor innovations, and exploring cooperation opportunities. This visit underscores the international standing of FIDAK and potential for future partnerships between the two fair organizations.
• SAPCO (Société d'Exploitation des Parcs à Louer)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 October 2025SAPCO, which manages the Saly tourist station, partners with CICES to co-organize the Saly Expo regional fair. The DG of SAPCO, Serigne Mamadou Mboup, confirmed SAPCO's commitment to making Saly Expo an annual event, positioning it as a new business and tourism destination.
• ADEPME (Agence Nationale de la Petite et Moyenne Entreprise)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 September 2025ADEPME accompanied 100 SMEs for their first participation in Saly Expo 2025, providing support for small and medium enterprises to exhibit at the regional fair organized by CICES. This supports ADEPME's mission of SME development in Senegal.
• Ministère de la Santé et de l'Action sociale (Senegal)coreOthers · 22 April 2025The Ministry of Health provides institutional support and technical collaboration for the annual SISDAK (International Health and Medical Equipment Fair), held at CICES. The ministry participates in the scientific forum and supports public health sensitization activities during the event.
• ASEPEX (Agence Sénégalaise de Promotion des Exportations)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 March 2025CICES and ASEPEX (the Senegalese Export Promotion Agency), both under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, collaborate on mutual participation in international trade events. They coordinate Senegal's presence at expo Osaka (Japan, April–October 2025) and co-organize the SISDAK health fair (April 2025 at CICES), supporting export-oriented businesses and trade promotion activities.
• Let's Go Sortir au SénégalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 March 2025CICES partnered with 'Let's Go Sortir au Sénégal' to co-organize the 4th edition of the Giant Barbecue event on 15 February 2025, featuring Dakar's best dibiteries, women processors, and local know-how. The event combined festive activities with a blood donation drive with CNTS.
• Association des Artisans du Textile du Sénégal (AATS)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 3 March 2025AATS (700+ members) partnered with CICES to onboard Senegalese textile artisans onto the FoireConnect digital commerce platform, expanding the digital market reach for artisanal products and strengthening the visibility of the 'Made in Senegal' label.
• Iran International Exhibitions Co. (IIEC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 January 2025CICES DG Justin Correa signed a partnership convention with IIEC (Iran International Exhibitions Co.) in Tehran on 25 January 2025 during the Woodex 2025 wood and furniture exhibition. The agreement covers mutual cooperation in fairs, exhibitions, and trade events, and represents CICES's expansion of international exhibition partnerships into the Middle East.
• Ambassador of Rwanda to Senegal / RDBminorOthers · 29 November 2024S.E. Jean-Pierre Karabaranga, Ambassador of Rwanda to Senegal, and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) co-hosted a gala dinner with CICES during FIDAK 2024, where Rwanda was a guest of honor. Rwanda's participation reflects its interest in exploring business and investment opportunities through the FIDAK platform.
• CCIAD (Chambre de Commerce, d'Industrie et d'Agriculture de Dakar)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 November 2024CCIAD President Abdoulaye Sow received DG Justin Correa to review collaboration axes between the two institutions, with particular focus on the 32nd edition of FIDAK. The chamber supports CICES's trade fair activities and facilitates business networking for its members.
• ASMEX (Association Marocaine des Exportateurs)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 October 2024ASMEX, representing over 9,000 Moroccan exporting companies, GIEs, and cooperatives, collaborates with CICES on Morocco's participation in the FIDAK trade fair and on broader bilateral trade cooperation. Discussions covered joint collaboration axes and Morocco's invitation to the Zlecaf Morocco Forum in Casablanca. ASMEX President Hassan Sentissi El Idrissi leads the partnership.
• CIDC (Centre Islamique pour le Développement du Commerce)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 October 2024CICES signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the CIDC, led by DG Latifa El Bouabdellaoui. The partnership covers the joint organization of the 10th SISDAK health fair and 5th OIC Health Expo (April 2025), scientific forum programming, and broader collaboration on Islamic trade promotion events. The MOU was signed following a working meeting at the CIDC headquarters.
• LeSoleil NewspaperminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 September 2024LeSoleil newspaper, led by DG Lamine Niang, visited CICES and reviewed historical archives documenting FIDAK and the construction of the CICES venue. LeSoleil has covered FIDAK extensively over the decades and provides editorial coverage for CICES events.
• Ambassador of Cape Verde to SenegalminorOthers · 1 September 2024S.E. Herminio Emanuel Da Costa Moniz, Ambassador of Cape Verde to Senegal, received DG Justin Correa and his delegation to discuss Cape Verde's participation as guest of honor at the 22nd FIDAK and to strengthen bilateral economic and trade relations, including maritime connectivity.
• Ambassador of Côte d'Ivoire to SenegalminorOthers · 1 September 2024S.E. Haidara Mamadou, Ambassador of Côte d'Ivoire, received DG Justin Correa to discuss Côte d'Ivoire's continued participation in the FIDAK's 50th anniversary celebrations. Côte d'Ivoire was the guest of honor in 2023 and remains committed to strengthening economic relations with Senegal within ECOWAS and UEMOA.
• Ambassador of Ghana to SenegalminorOthers · 1 September 2024S.E. Emma Mensah, Ambassador of Ghana to Senegal (arrived 2022), met with DG Justin Correa to discuss Ghana's participation in the 32nd FIDAK and bilateral economic and trade relations between the two ECOWAS nations.
• RTS (Radiodiffusion Télévision Sénégalaise)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024RTS, Senegal's national broadcaster, has been a long-standing media partner of CICES, covering all major events at the venue for over 50 years, coinciding with RTS's own 50-year anniversary. Both institutions are updating their collaboration conventions to formalize and strengthen their media partnership.
• Serigne Gueye DIOP, Ministre du Commerce et de l'IndustriecoreOthers · 12 April 2024The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Serigne Gueye DIOP, provides government support and institutional backing for CICES events. He visited the Saly Expo 2025 site (October 2025) and the SISDAK health fair, demonstrating ministerial commitment to CICES as a platform for economic promotion aligned with the Senegal 2050 policy framework.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Accra International Trade Fair / Ghana Trade Fair Company: State-affiliated operator of Ghana's main trade fair grounds and a key ECOWAS competitor for regional exhibitors. Comparable to CICES as a public-institution trade fair venue serving Anglophone West Africa, competing for the same multinational exhibitors.
• Office de la Foire Internationale de Tunis (OFIT / Palais des Expositions de Tunis): Tunisian state operator of the country's main exhibition center, hosting the Foire Internationale de Tunis. Comparable to CICES as a North/West African government-affiliated venue-plus-fair operator targeting francophone Mediterranean and African exhibitors.
• Lagos International Trade Fair Complex (LITFC): Nigeria's principal trade fair complex in Lagos, organized in conjunction with the Lagos Chamber of Commerce. Comparable to CICES as a West African venue targeting the same regional market of 300 million consumers, with significantly larger potential exhibitor base.
• Sandton Convention Centre (part of the Johannesburg Expo Centre / Nasrec): Largest convention and exhibition venue in South Africa, hosting events such as Automechanika Johannesburg and major trade fairs. Comparable to CICES as a regional African venue-plus-fair operator, though at a much larger scale and serving a more developed domestic market.
• Office des Changes de Fès / Foire Internationale de Meknès (Sahara Expo): Moroccan international agriculture and trade fair, with strong institutional backing and ASMEX (CICES's partner) participation. Comparable to CICES in its state-aligned trade fair model and North/West African positioning.
• Kigali Convention Centre / Rwanda Convention Bureau: Rwanda's flagship MICE venue, closely associated with the Rwanda Development Board (a CICES partner via FIDAK 2024). Comparable to CICES as a state-backed, modern African venue aggressively pursuing international conference and exhibition business in the same regional market.

Broad incumbents

• Dubai World Trade Centre: Major MICE venue operator and trade fair organizer in the Middle East. Comparable to CICES in its combined venue-and-fair model, but at significantly larger scale and with broader international exhibitor reach, including into African markets CICES also targets.
• Messe Frankfurt: One of the world's largest trade fair organizers, operating flagship events such as Ambiente and Texworld. Comparable to CICES as a trade fair organizer rather than a venue operator, and a relevant benchmark for how FIDAK could scale internationally.
• Palexpo Geneva: Swiss venue operator running Geneva's main exhibition centre and hosting flagship fairs such as the Geneva International Motor Show. Comparable to CICES as a venue-plus-fair operator, though serving a developed European market rather than a developing African one.

Direct peers

• Foire de Paris (Paris Expo): Operator of one of Europe's oldest consumer and trade exhibitions based at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. Directly comparable to CICES because it combines venue operations with the organization of a flagship international fair; CICES and Paris Expo already maintain a documented cooperation partnership.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@cicestv5369
• Facebookfacebook.com/lecices
• Instagraminstagram.com/cices_officiel
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centre-international-du-commerce-ext%C3%A9rieur-du-senegal-cices

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Centre international du commerce extérieur du Sénégal (CICES)