Highlights:

• IDA grants $100 million concessional loan for urban mobility reform in Senegal

• Project to integrate BRT, TER, and formalized bus networks in Dakar

• Goal is to improve transport access for 3.8 million people and reduce congestion

The World Bank has approved a $100 million concessional loan through the International Development Association (IDA) to support urban mobility reforms in Senegal. The funding marks the first phase of a broader program aimed at advancing territorial development and sustainable growth.

The initiative targets Dakar, a city that hosts over 4 million residents while covering just 0.3% of the national territory. With about 100,000 new arrivals each year, the capital's transport infrastructure faces increasing pressure. In 2023, residents made nearly 7 million daily trips, with 80% relying on overcrowded or informal transport such as rapid buses and 'Ndiaga Ndiaye' minibuses.

The project seeks to establish an integrated transport system linking the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Regional Express Train (TER) to a reorganized network of bus lines. It also aims to formalize informal transport operators, improve traffic management, and conduct technical studies for a second BRT line and mobility infrastructure in secondary cities.

“By transforming urban mobility in Dakar, this project will unlock economic opportunities for 3.8 million people and enable thousands of informal sector workers to shift to structured employment, enjoying social protection and better career prospects,” said Keiko Miwa, World Bank Director for Senegal.

According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), modernizing urban transport will enhance safety, comfort, and economic productivity. Traffic congestion alone costs Senegal over CFA104 billion ($182 million) annually in wasted fuel.

The ongoing Dakar mobility project also integrates climate resilience measures, including upgraded drainage systems and environmentally sustainable designs to mitigate flood risks and strengthen infrastructure durability.