• Senegal passes first whistleblower protection law for corruption cases
• Law ensures anonymity, immunity, and rewards up to 10% recovered funds
• Part of broader reforms to boost transparency and governance

Senegal's National Assembly passed its first-ever law to protect whistleblowers in cases of corruption and economic crimes on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

The legislation grants whistleblowers several key protections, including immunity from retaliation such as dismissal, harassment, or demotion. It also provides the right to anonymity unless the individual consents, criminal immunity for reports made in good faith, and a financial reward of up to 10% of any recovered funds.

The new law covers corruption, embezzlement, economic fraud, or any serious violation of the public interest, but excludes information related to national defense, medical, or judicial secrecy. It also establishes a special fund to recover assets from fraud and corruption. This mechanism will be used to compensate whistleblowers and finance social programs, while also supporting the prevention of and fight against economic crimes.

The reform is part of a series of recent measures to enhance transparency and public governance in Senegal. It follows a restructuring of the National Office for the Fight Against Fraud and Corruption (OFNAC) and an expansion of asset declaration requirements. According to the 2024 Corruption Perception Index (CPI), Senegal's score improved to 45 out of 100, up from 43 in 2023, though it remains in the red zone.

Charlène N’dimon