Senegal
A lightweight suit is acceptable for business. Senegal has inherited French commercial traditions. Business practices, accounting methods and legal procedures derive from the French system. Business correspondence, catalogs and advertising materials should be prepared in French. French will also generally be needed for meetings. Appointments should be made and punctuality is expected, despite the fact that a Senegalese contact may be slightly late. Visiting cards are essential, preferably in French and English. Repeated personal contacts are often necessary to establish a working relationship with business partners. Office hours are normally 0800-1230 and 1300-1600 Monday to Friday. During Ramadan some offices open 0730-1430.
Street crime in Senegal poses moderate risks for visitors. Most reported incidents involve pickpockets, purse snatchers and street scam artists. Wallets, jewelry and other valuables are subject to theft, especially during times of international meetings or events that draw large crowds. In Dakar, there has been a relatively high incidence of purse snatchings and muggings in a popular restaurant area known locally as "la Petite Corniche", located along a three-kilometer stretch of coastal road in the southeastern part of the city. Road travel between Mauritania and Senegal is restricted to several designated border crossing points, and long delays at the border are normal.
The Casamance area of southern Senegal should be avoided due to incidents involving Casamance separatists.
Dakar has business hotels of excellent reputation. There are several of international standards, and more development is under way, including a number of hotels on the Petite Côte (the stretch of beaches between Dakar and Joal). In Casamance some luxury resorts have been built. It is advisable to book accommodation in advance, particularly in Dakar. Hotels in Dakar generally have air-conditioning but tend to be expensive. Visitors may choose the floating hotel in the River Region.
Telephone IDD service is available to the country. The country code is 221 and the outgoing international code is 00. International calls to most countries can be dialed directly. The country code is 221. Cable, telex, fax, paging and Internet services are available. A number of cybercafes are located in Dakar. Cellular telephones are very popular.
Electricity is 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
230 volts AC, 50Hz.
C,D,E,K
Senegalese food is considered among the best in Africa. The basis of many dishes is chicken or fish, but the distinctive taste is due to ingredients not found outside Africa. This food is served in many restaurants in Dakar. Provincial rest houses serve less sophisticated but delicious variations. There are bars in some hotels and clubs. Although Senegal is predominantly a Muslim country, alcohol is available. National specialties:
• Chicken au yassa (chicken with lemon, pimento and onions).
• Tiebou dienne (rice and fish).
• Maffe (chicken or mutton
in peanut sauce).
• Dem à la St Louis (stuffed mullet).
• Accras (a kind of fritter). National drinks:
• Toufam (a kind of yogurt thinned with sugared water).
• Mint tea, the first cup drunk slightly bitter, the second with more sugar and the third very sweet.
• Palm wine, which is drunk either fresh or fermented.
• Home-roasted coffee with pimento. Tipping:
A service charge of 10 to 15 per cent is included in all hotel and restaurant bills. Taxi drivers are not normally given a tip.Nightlife
There are several nightclubs and music venues in Dakar, playing mbalakh (the local modern music), as well as a casino on the route to N’Gor. There are many cinemas showing the latest French films. The Daniel Sorano National Theater in the Boulevard de la Republique is a popular venue for theater, concerts and other arts performances.
