Senegal vs Côte d’Ivoire: Who will claim West Africa’s fastest‑growing economy?
Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s push to reduce dependence on foreign powers stands in sharp contrast with Alassane Ouattara’s liberal economic model. Could Senegal outpace Côte d’Ivoire in the battle for regional dominance?
Ninety minutes couldn’t separate the Elephants and the Lions of Teranga. On 30 January 2024, a packed Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro hosted a dream Round of 16 clash in the Africa Cup of Nations: Côte d’Ivoire, the host nation that had scraped through the group stage, against defending champions Senegal.
The deadlock held until penalties, when the Ivorians finally edged out a win. But the rivalry between these two West African heavyweights runs far deeper than football. From economic clout to geopolitical reach, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire have long vied for leadership in francophone West Africa, and within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).
