Living in Senegal: the ultimate expat guide

The former capital of French West Africa, Senegal achieved independence from France peaceably in 1960, but decades of French influence is still clear to see. From its political system and currency (the Franc CFA - African Communities Financial Franc) to its sectarian state and education system. In addition, French is the country's official language, but most Senegalese will speak to each other in one of the many local dialects, with Wolof (the de facto national language) the most widely spoken, as well as Diola, Pular, Malinke and Serer.

Thanks to its geographical location, stable political system and modern infrastructure, Senegal is a popular destination for Western companies and foreign professionals. From UN agencies and charities to NGOs and corporate firms, many organisations that operate in West Africa are based in Senegal, especially in Dakar, which is also home to over 80 embassies.

Of the 15.4 million population, an estimated 200,000 are foreigners.

The economy of Senegal

Senegal is the fourth largest economy in West Africa and is one of 15 members of ECOWAS (the Economic Community of West African States). Senegal aspires to be a middle-income country by 2035, and since 2016 its economy has grown by an average of 6% year-on-year, while unemployment has fallen to 6.46% of the population.

From renewable energy and tourism to agriculture and fishing, Senegal’s economy is built on a number of diverse sectors, with recent oil and gas discoveries off the Senegalese coast set to shake up the economy once more. Turkey, India, France and China are among the country's main economic partners.

Senegal is also one of the region's most highly-educated countries, with a literacy rate of almost 60%. Its education system is based on the French equivalent, while there are five public universities in the country and a large number of private ones, mainly in Dakar. Meanwhile, international and North American schools, such as the International School of Dakar (ISD), provide quality English-language education for foreigners.

Politics in Senegal

Senegal is seen as a beacon of stability in an unstable region. A multi-party democracy, Senegal has never suffered a political coup and has elected its presidents freely and fairly through universal suffrage since independence. Current President, Macky Sall, was elected for a second term in 2019 and will serve until 2024, with term limits reduced from seven to five years in 2017.

 Good to know:

The French first came to Senegal in 1659 when they established the city of Saint-Louis on the Senegal river. In 1857, the French founded Dakar, which would later become the capital of French West Africa. To this day, many Senegalese regions, including Dakar, Saint-Louis, Thiès and Kaolack, are members of the International Francophone Regions Association.

The climate in Senegal

In general, Senegal experiences two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. For the north of the country (north of The Gambia), the dry season lasts from October to June with daytime temperatures peaking at around 34°C in October/November and dipping as low as 20°C in February. The rainy season takes place between July-September. However, in the southern Casamance region (south of The Gambia), the rainy season is more prolonged, lasting from June-October. In addition, interior temperatures are often much hotter than on the coast.

Expatriation in Senegal

Senegal has embraced development with open arms and is one of the fastest-developing nations in West Africa. Dakar is a modern, dynamic city that is gaining an increasingly positive reputation among businesses and tourists alike, while the country is world-famous for its hospitality, known in the Wolof language as 'teranga'.

Tourism is one of the biggest industries in Senegal and the virtues that entice tourists - year-round sun, golden beaches, friendly population and low security-risks - are the same reasons why many expats call Senegal home. Great for children and adults alike, living in Senegal can be a professionally and personally rewarding experience.

 Useful link:

Government of Senegal