Senegal

Senegal is an independent republic in West Africa, bounded on the north by the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, on the east by the Republic of Mali, on the south by the Republic of Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. It also encloses The Gambia.

General information

• Capital: Dakar
• Population: 10.05 million
• Area: 196 722 km2
• Languages: French - official language
• Exports: Fresh and processed fish; fuels; groundnuts and related products; phosphates; cotton
• Imports: Food and beverages; consumer goods; capital goods; petroleum products
• Currency: CFA Franc

Trademarks

International Conventions:

WIPO, WTO, Paris Union, Signatory to the Trade Mark Law Treaty, Signatory to the Madrid Protocol; Berne Union, Hague Union, Signatory to the WIPO Copyright Treaty, Signatory to the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty.

Marking of Goods:

Notice of registration by use of the legend ‘Marque Déposée’ optional.

An indication of origin, in French, is required for canned fish, vegetables and canned milk. All boxes, cases and packages containing tobacco and cigarettes must have the words ‘VENTE au SENEGAL’ clearly printed, in letters not less than three millimetres high, below the company’s trade mark. Adhesive labels are prohibited. There are also special labelling regulations for spirits.

Senegal has regulations on the labelling of canned and otherwise preserved food products, applicable to both domestic and imported goods and for both human and animal consumption. Such foods must carry a label in French, indicating the nature of the product, duration of its preservation and where required, prescriptions for its use.

All goods should in general be marked with country of origin.

The containers and outer packaging of whiskies and aniseed drinks of a strength of more than 40% proof must bear the following information affixed by the manufacturer: ‘Vente au Senegal’ name and address of the manufacturer and identification number of the importer issued by the Ministry of Commerce.

Alcoholic beverages of a strength less than 40% require the same information except that the notice ‘Vente au Senegal’ is prohibited.

Patents

General:

Gambia and Senegal form the Confederation of Senegambia. Both countries, which have not merged into a single entity yet, still maintain their separated Industrial Property Laws. Patent protection is only obtainable via OAPI.