governments actively seeking to revive their horse racing industry and this is often via agreements with the PMU. Tis is especially true in jurisdictions which maintain close links to France.
Since the French colonial empire in Africa gave way to independence, France has maintained close ties to most of its former colonies. Indeed today Africa is home to the largest number of French speakers in the world. Francophone Africa, comprising countries that were once French colonies, maintains close ties with France through economic, political, and cultural relationships. Some countries, such as Senegal and Te Ivory Coast, have maintained particularly strong diplomatic and economic relations.
French influence can still be seen today in Senegal's legal system, education system, and the widespread use of the French language. Today, France is the leading investor in Senegal and its number one trading partner.
Horse racing in Senegal has a rich history. Horse-drawn buggies are commonplace across the country, and over the past five decades racing has developed into a national pastime. Senegal has two main racecourses: the Hippodrome de Tiès and the Hippodrome de Dakar. Tese venues host regular race meetings and attract a significant number of spectators and bettors. In addition, Senegal hosts several important horse racing events throughout the year.
Te Ivory Coast, also in West Africa, won its independence from France in 1960. For more than three decades after its independence it was known for its religious and ethnic harmony, as well as its well- developed economy. An armed rebellion in 2002 split the nation in two. Peace deals alternated with renewed violence as the country slowly edged its way towards a political resolution of the conflict.
In the decade since political stability was established and the country has achieved an economic recovery. Today, PMU Ivory Coast operates in partnership with the Ivorian Racing Society (Société des Courses de la Côte d'Ivoire).
A minor resurgence is currently underway in Chad as well. Located at the crossroads of North and Central Africa, horse race betting flourished in the 1970s in Chad, but declined due to civil war and decades of political upheaval and
Located in the capital city, Ndjamena horse racing is becoming more popular. In
March 2019, efforts to improve horse
racing in Chad were announced by the operating director of PmuBet, Christien Hervé, and the
secretary general of the association for the encouragement and improvement of horse breeders in Chad.
economic challenges. However, driven by the Ndjamena Racecourse, located in the capital city, Ndjamena horse racing is becoming more popular. In March 2019, efforts to improve horse racing in Chad were announced by the operating director of PmuBet, Christien Hervé, and the secretary general of the association for the encouragement and improvement of horse breeders in Chad, Ahmat Abakar Adjid.
OUTLOOK
Arguably the most remarkable aspect of horse racing in Africa is the way it has survived and remains popular in jurisdictions that have suffered economic and political turmoil for decades. Like the industry, in many part of the world horse racing is struggling as the popularity of sports betting increases. Yet it still has a loyal following. Its enduring legacy has been kept alive in no small part thanks to the PMU.
Citizens belonging to a wide number of jurisdictions in Africa were already following the sport closely in France and making bets before the PMU began to expand in the region. Te PMU has been able to meet demand and improve the local betting offer and has, with local partners, brought a more structured approach to the sport. At the same time we are seeing maybe the beginnings of a wider resurgence of a homegrown industry, which will hopefully bring about many opportunities in the years to come.
WIRE / PULSE / INSIGHT / REPORTS P73
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