Chinese firm set to open cable project managed by locals in Senegal

A Chinese multinational company is set to open a new cable producing project in Senegal which will be fully managed by local workers.

Senegal-based Caleb Cable Africa S.A, the first African subsidiary of Caleb Cable Industrial Limited, will start manufacturing coaxial cables in September, according to its director general Amadou Ly Bocoum.

Based in Dias, western Senegal, Caleb Cable Africa S.A is specialized in the manufacturing of power cables destined for African and international markets with support from its parent company.

"The entire project is managed by Senegalese citizens. The Chinese intervention is limited to installation of machines and to practical training of technical operators who need to have access to the equipments," Bocoum said.

"The Chinese will come for some weeks to support Senegalese workers. They will depart once the Senegalese workers have been well trained," the director general added.

He said from September, Caleb Cable Africa S.A will support production, but should there be more orders, the parent company will provide more logistical support to increase production.

According to him, Caleb Cable Africa S.A has a capacity to produce between 90,000 to 100,000 kilometers of cables per month.

"It is exciting for me that Senegal has an industrial unit of global status, which will be able to manufacture coaxial, computer and telephone cables and later fibre optic cables," he affirmed.

"Having a -Made in Senegal- label on cables is something that brings pride to me, and at the same time it is an economic boost," Bocoum said.

The company sits on an industrial site measuring 38,000 square meters. It will create 2,400 jobs, out of which 60 percent will be women involved in the finishing works. Endit