• Dakar–Tambacounda rail rehabilitation has reached about 90% completion
• Senegal plans 2,000 km of railway lines under the national Vision Senegal 2050 strategy
• Rail upgrades aim to reduce freight costs and strengthen regional trade corridors

Senegal is positioning itself as a logistics hub in West Africa through the revival and modernization of its railway sector, according to a communication published, earlier this week,  by the Ministry of Infrastructures, Land Transport and Opening-up. The ministry of Infrastructure, Land and Air Transport outlined ongoing rail projects as part of a broader strategy to improve mobility, strengthen logistics infrastructure and support economic development.

The announcement comes as rehabilitation work on the Dakar–Tambacounda railway line nears completion, with authorities indicating that the project is roughly 90% finished. The corridor is expected to play a key role in shifting freight transport away from roads and improving connectivity between Dakar and eastern regions of the country.

Rail development has been framed as a central pillar of the government’s long-term infrastructure strategy. In its statement, the Ministry of Infrastructure, land an d air transport noted that the country is working to expand and modernize rail infrastructure in line with the Vision Senegal 2050 national transformation agenda, which prioritizes logistics and territorial connectivity.

Beyond rehabilitation of existing lines, Senegal is also planning the construction of up to 2,000 kilometers of railway tracks, including new standard-gauge corridors designed to improve freight capacity and passenger mobility. These lines are expected to connect major economic centers and industrial zones with key maritime gateways.

Improved rail connectivity could also support the transport of natural resources such as phosphate, iron ore, bauxite, manganese and zircon, many of which remain underexploited partly due to logistical constraints. Analysts say stronger freight infrastructure could reduce costs for mining and agricultural producers and improve export competitiveness.

Regional trade integration is another objective.  The World Bank has highlighted the importance of rail corridors linking Dakar with landlocked markets, particularly Mali, as a way to facilitate trade flows across West Africa.

Authorities also point to the broader economic benefits of shifting freight to rail, including reduced road congestion, lower infrastructure maintenance costs and improved transport safety. Senegal records hundreds of road fatalities annually, and policymakers view rail development as part of a wider effort to modernize the national transport system.

Through these projects, Dakar is seeking to strengthen its role in regional logistics networks while supporting domestic economic development through improved connectivity between ports, production zones and growing urban centers.

By Cynthia Ebot Takang