Jakarta, 20 November 2025 — The Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency is exploring collaboration with Senegal as a new gateway for exporting Indonesian creative economy products and as a potential investment destination in West Africa. This strategic initiative aims to diversify exports, shifting focus from traditional commodities to high-value products such as fashion, film, and animation.
Menteri Ekonomi Kreatif, Teuku Riefky Harsya, menerima audiensi dari Duta Besar RI untuk Senegal, Ardian Wicaksono, di Kantor Kementerian Ekraf, Jakarta, Kamis (20/11/2025).
The discussions took place during an audience between the Minister of Creative Economy/Head of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, and the Indonesian Ambassador to Senegal, Ardian Wicaksono, at the Ministry of Creative Economy office in Jakarta on Thursday, 20 November 2025. “Hopefully, the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Senegal will be based on a shared vision and strategy to increase investment, exports, and job creation in the creative sector,” said Minister Riefky.
The Minister noted that the export and investment achievements of the creative economy subsectors have reached 66 percent of the annual target of IDR 136.28 trillion. Investments are primarily concentrated in applications, fashion, culinary, and craft subsectors.
“If culture is the upstream, the creative economy is the downstream, enhanced by technological innovation and digital creativity. We can call this the ‘new mining’ of the creative economy. It is important to identify which subsectors can be prioritized for collaboration and export to Senegal, such as modest fashion and other promising sectors,” Minister Riefky added.
Dok. Biro Komunikasi Kementerian Ekonomi Kreatif/Badan Ekonomi Kreatif.
The meeting also discussed Senegal’s economic landscape, including youth unemployment and reliance on imports. Potential collaborations in fashion, film, and animation subsectors were explored, focusing on leveraging Indonesian strengths to meet Senegalese needs.
“Senegal is particularly interesting because it is developing its creative industry by utilizing natural resources, such as the Baobab tree. From this potential, products like ornaments, souvenirs, jams, sports apparel, and fashion items can be developed. Furthermore, Indonesia and Senegal could collaborate musically, combining instruments like kolintang and balafon to create unique rhythms,” explained Ambassador Ardian Wicaksono.
Senegal continues to play a strategic role as an economic gateway in West Africa, particularly within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). With a majority Sunni Muslim population of 90 percent, Senegal demonstrates stable GDP growth driven by the services, agriculture, and investment sectors.
Dok. Biro Komunikasi Kementerian Ekonomi Kreatif/Badan Ekonomi Kreatif.
“Collaboration can also include education, capacity building, and sharing knowledge across creative products, thereby strengthening the relationship between Indonesia and Africa. Indonesia can not only export culinary products but also promote unique creative products, for instance through animation. We hope Ekraf can further develop products that offer added value, boosting creativity and export potential to Senegal,” said Ardian Wicaksono.
The meeting was attended by Minister Riefky’s team, including Deputy for Strategic Development Cecep Rukendi; Director of Strategic Studies and Management, Agus Syarip Hidayat; and Strategic Issues Expert, Gemintang Kejora Mallarangeng.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of the Bureau of Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
