The celebration of Senegal's Independence Day once again brought together the Senegalese community worldwide. The 2026 edition was marked by the inaugural "Diaspora Awards," an event designed to highlight the most influential and committed figures in the Senegalese diaspora. Among the distinguished individuals was Professor Alfred Balacoune, a Senegalese resident of France, passionate about social and humanitarian issues and dedicated to fighting all forms of injustice and exclusion.

His international academic background demonstrates solid expertise in business, management, finance, and monetary economics. He studied at several prestigious institutions, including the French Business School EDC, the Institut Technique de Banque (ITB) of the CFPB, Sup de Co Paris, Paris V University, and the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. Grateful to the State of Senegal, which enabled him to attend these prestigious schools despite their high cost, Professor Balacoune earned several advanced degrees: a Master's in Finance, a postgraduate diploma (DESS) in Monetary Economics, a postgraduate diploma (DESS) in Banking and Finance, a postgraduate diploma (DESS) in Project Engineering, and a Doctorate in Management.

Driven by a deep attachment to his native country, he affirms his desire to "give back to Senegal what it has given him." For him, despite exile and his international career, the bond with his homeland remains unbreakable. At the Diaspora Awards ceremony held on the night of April 4th in Paris, he dedicated his trophy to all his colleagues, experts in their respective fields, but above all, committed to the development of Senegal and Africa. He also paid a heartfelt tribute to Senegalese women, particularly the "linguère women," offering a special thought to his wife, Emilie Sène Balacoune, whom he affectionately calls a "linguère."

On this occasion, the professor advocated for the establishment of a Senegalese Economic Mission to France, Monaco, and Andorra. "An economic mission to France, Monaco, and Andorra would be a valuable tool for attracting and supporting investors in the development of our territories," he stated. According to him, many African countries still lack structures capable of effectively mobilizing foreign investment and promoting their exports, which constitutes a major obstacle to their development.

Professor Balacoune believes that, at a time when the world is experiencing successive economic, diplomatic, environmental, health, energy, and food crises, all states are rethinking their long-term development strategies. Senegal, through its ambitious "Senegal 2050: National Transformation Agenda" program, is fully engaged in this dynamic. An economic mission would represent, according to him, the "living expression" of this desire for a paradigm shift. It would allow for territorial support of the ambitions of the Senegal 2050 Plan, particularly in the areas of a social and competitive economy, sustainable development, human capital, social justice, improving living conditions through work, and strengthening the skills of the most vulnerable populations. He also emphasizes that Senegal's economic transformation will require massive investments in strategic sectors in the coming years.

Addressing the issue of education, the professor emphasizes the urgent need to rethink the Senegalese education system by further promoting the integration of theoretical and technical learning. This approach, he argues, would guarantee access to employment, entrepreneurial initiative, and universal knowledge. "Faced with the rapid pace of social and economic transformations, our education systems must develop in learners the resilience, adaptability, and skills necessary to thrive in increasingly dynamic and uncertain job markets," he explains. For him, the solution lies in work-study programs, which combine theory and practice. "It's not a question of financial resources, but above all a question of political will and an educational vision adapted to universal social changes," he insists. The time when the education system primarily trained "academics" is now over: every young Senegalese person must be prepared to become a true agent of economic and social development in their country.

Drawing on his experience in primary and secondary education in Senegal, notably at Sacré-Cœur, and later in higher education and vocational training in France and England, he believes the national education system is in dire need of reform. This award, received at the Diaspora Awards, is also the result of a long-standing partnership with Grdr Migration-Citizenship-Development, a French NGO active for over 50 years in territorial development in West Africa, France, and Europe. Grdr supports several local associations and development projects in various regions, in collaboration with the diaspora association platform RACINES and the Seine-Saint-Denis Department.

During the ceremony, Professor Alfred Balacoune also commended Ms. Isseu Gueye, Managing Director of Alliance Paris Dakar, for her operational commitment to the sub-region's diasporas and her ability to propose pragmatic solutions through her networks. Finally, he paid tribute to all the leaders and partners involved in these development initiatives, including Olivier Lemasson, Marie Chiara, Albert Bella Mendy, Ussmane Ingo, John Correa, as well as the members of the executive boards and diaspora associations mobilized to promote Senegal and Africa.