Spain is a key destination for many African migrants due to its geographical location and economic context. If there is one country that deserves priority on the guest list, it is Spain. The country’s Minister for Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elsa Velasco Delgado, attended the Dakar 2025 International Symposium on Migration, held in Dakar from April 10 to 12.

Each year, countless hopeful migrants leave their countries of origin and pass through Morocco on their journey to Spain. The scale of this migratory flow is such that Madrid can no longer overlook this reality, underscored by the presence of a senior Spanish official at the Dakar International Symposium on Migration. “From Spain, we advocate a vision of migration as a reality rooted in development, human mobility, personal aspirations and social justice,” said Spain’s Minister for Social Security and Migration, Elsa Saiz Delgado, speaking on the second day of the event on April 10. She emphasised that Spain is committed to a model of migration that is “regular, orderly, and safe and also grounded in respect for human rights and shared responsibility.”

Speaking in the presence of Amadou Cherif Diouf, Senegal’s Deputy minister in charge of Senegalese in the diaspora , the Spanish minister praised the “significant progress” in the partnership between Spain and Senegal. She highlighted the circular migration programme in particular, which is set to enable more than 600 Senegalese workers to take up temporary jobs in Spain under fair conditions –   with the promise of a productive return to their home country. According to the minister, this initiative proves that irregular migration is not inevitable. The programme, described as pioneering, has been cited as a model, demonstrating that legal and structured alternatives to irregular migration do exist. Another important milestone in Senegal-Spain cooperation, also emphasised by Minister Delgado, is the recently signed social security agreement between Dakar and Madrid. This agreement will allow nearly 500 Senegalese citizens to receive their Spanish pensions while residing in Senegal.

Over 80,000 Senegalese nationals live in Spain

The integration of Senegalese nationals in Spain stands as a strong example of successful migration. The country is home to more than 80,000 Senegalese residents, who actively contribute to Spain’s social and economic life. The Spanish representative highlighted the “central role” of migrants, describing them as “bridge-builders between continents.”

In her closing remarks, Minister Delgado stressed the importance of a comprehensive migration policy that involves all stakeholders – from countries of origin like Senegal to destination countries like Spain. She underscored the “complementary nature of diplomacy, decentralised cooperation, social inclusion, vocational training, and intercultural dialogue.” 

In other words, addressing the growing complexity of migration requires a multifaceted approach. The minister also highlighted that, within the framework of the 2025-2028 Spain-Africa Strategy, recently unveiled by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Africa has become a “strategic priority” for Spain in migration policy. This roadmap promotes a horizontal partnership rooted in sustainable development, women’s empowerment as well as the responsible governance of migration through concrete, people-centered and lasting initiatives.

The organisers described the Second Dakar International Conference on Migration, a follow-up to the one held in Las Palmas (Spain), in 2024, as “an essential platform for advancing commitments on migration and turning them into tangible action”.