Senegal is very open towards young graduates and professionals seeking new opportunities in West Africa. With the vast array of industries, from charities and NGOs to financial services and telecoms operating in the capital, Dakar hosts a large number of interns every year. However, there are also opportunities across the country with a mixture of different businesses and organisations.
Taking an internship in Senegal can be a very enriching experience in terms of culture and professional experience, as it provides a chance to enhance your career, whilst also learning about a new culture, exploring new surroundings and making lifelong friends.
Promising sectors in Senegal
Senegal is home to a large number of national and international businesses across a wide array of sectors. Most of the service's roles are found in the major cities, such as Dakar and Thiès, where resource-based internships, such as agribusiness and mining, can be found in more rural areas or towns.
As a foreigner, you are more likely to find internship prospects in the following fields: agriculture, agribusiness, tourism, logistics, information and communication technology, teleservices, health, renewable energy, mining, geology and financial services.
Find an internship in Senegal
Senegal hosts not only leading European and international subsidiaries but also many national and local companies. As a result, internship opportunities may be available anywhere and not just in the country's major cities.
However, as home to 23% of the population, the Dakar metropolitan area will naturally offer more internship opportunities than the rest of the country. For example, the UN - who has 27 agencies based in Dakar - offers six-month internships to those currently at university as well as post-graduates.
Apply for an internship in Senegal
To apply for an internship in Senegal, your first port of call will be the internet. Searching the websites of individual companies, charities and organisations is a good place to start. At the same time, you should look at your country's embassy website for potential opportunities or sponsored programmes. In addition, a number of international and national placement websites, such as Projects Abroad or Emploi Dakar, sometimes offer great opportunities in Senegal.
After finding an opportunity that suits you, you should either follow the application process (if there is a set internship programme) or send an email to the company expressing an interest in an internship.
Visas in Senegal
Senegal offers visa-free travel for three months to many countries across the globe. Be sure to check the visa requirements here to work out if you need to obtain a biometric visa for your internship.
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