In April 1960, Senegal obtained its independence from France. In 1961, Mexican President Adolfo López Mateos sent a presidential delegation of goodwill, led by Special Envoy Alejandro Carrillo Marcor and Delegate José Ezequiel Iturriaga, to visit Senegal and to pave the way for the establishment of diplomatic relations between both nations.[1] On 10 May 1962, Mexico and Senegal established diplomatic relations.[2]
In May 1975, Senegalese President Léopold Sédar Senghor paid a visit to Mexico.[3] During his visit to Mexico, both nations signed agreements on cultural and scientific cooperation[4] and an agreement on technical cooperation.[5] In July 1975, Mexican President Luis Echeverría reciprocated the visit and paid a state visit to Senegal, becoming the first sitting Mexican President to visit Africa.[6]
Both nations have signed several bilateral agreements such as an Agreement on Cinematic Coproduction (1976); Agreement on Tourism (1976); Agreement on Cultural and Scientific Cooperation (1977) and an Agreement on Technical Cooperation (1977).[2]
In 2018, trade between Mexico and Senegal totaled US$28 million.[10] Mexico's main exports to Senegal include: machinery, electrical appliances for the sugar industry and machines for packaging liquids. Senegal's main exports to Mexico include: Ilmenite, zircon sands and molluscas.[2] Senegal is Mexico's 153rd largest trading partner globally.[11]
