France, which hasn't fully closed its military base in Senegal, is increasingly losing business opportunities there.

WSJ: Mali Advance Shows Paris's Africa Dilemma

"That's down on 2008's tournament in Ghana because Senegal and South Africa didn't qualify, " he added.

CNN: African Cup of Nations shows glimpse of football's future

"If you go through the countryside in Senegal or Mali, you won't be able to find local milk... because the powdered milk has destroyed the whole dairy sector in West Africa, " Lamine says.

NPR: U.S., European Subsidies Undercut African Farmers