Senegal is preparing to launch a major phosphate processing complex in the northeastern region of Matam, a move aimed at accelerating agricultural self-sufficiency, industrialization, and youth employment. The announcement was made by Minister of Industry Serigne Guèye Diop in an interview with state newspaper Le Soleil. The initiative is part of the national government’s 2024 economic transformation plan, which targets the development of eight strategic industrial zones across the country. Matam, with its high-grade tricalcium phosphate deposits (32% concentration), is being positioned as one of Senegal’s two phosphate mining hubs, alongside Taïba in the west.
The project includes a large-scale phosphate processing complex spanning 1,000 hectares, fertilizer blending plant backed by the World Bank, with a capacity of 150,000 tonnes per year, and specialised technical university inspired by Morocco’s OCP Group model, to train local professionals in phosphate and agricultural sciences.
With a projected fertilizer production capacity of 2–3 million tonnes annually, the Matam complex is expected to exceed current national output and significantly reduce the cost of fertilizers. This will directly benefit farmers growing staple crops such as rice, maize, and sorghum, and help Senegal cut dependency on imported agricultural inputs. “Matam has the potential to transform Senegal’s agricultural economy and create thousands of sustainable jobs,” said Minister Diop, noting the region’s geological advantage over older sites like Mboro.
The facility is also seen as a key component in Senegal’s food security strategy, as well as a regional knowledge hub that can drive innovation and capacity building in phosphate-related industries. Construction of the Matam phosphate hub is expected to begin in late 2024, with phased operations commencing shortly after.
