Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Senegal, Africa for an official visit that will test his commitment to gender equality with one of Canada's closest francophone partners.

He was greeted at the airport near last night Dakar by Foreign Minister Amadou Ba.

Trudeau's visit includes a meeting with President Macky Sall and a moment of reflection at Goree Island where slaves being taken to the Americas were held.

Dalhousie University political science chair David Black, who studies Canada's role in sub-Saharan Africa, says Senegal and Canada have long-standing links, mostly through their shared French language, that Trudeau can build upon.

Trudeau has committed to women's empowerment and human rights as he looks to gain support from Sall for Canada's bid for a temporary seat on the United Nations Security Council.

Gender-based violence is a significant problem in Senegal, which made rape a criminal offence only last month.

Trudeau will also be going to Germany on this trip before returning home for the weekend. Then he will pivot and fly off to the Caribbean for more official business.