For centuries Senegal has been an entry point to Africa, from Arab traders to Europeans arriving on the Atlantic coasts, trade exchanges that have occurred for hundreds of years continue to this day. One of the secrets to Senegal's success has been its strategic location as part of the Western Trans-Saharan trade route, along with the country's rich inland waterways. The bustling port city of Dakar has benefited from being a regional commercial hub and, as a result, Senegal's population has grown strongly in recent years to more than 16.74 million people.

As part of the Emerging Senegal Plan (PSE) undertaken by the administration of HE President Macky Sall, the country has embarked on a wide range of infrastructure projects that aim to not only improve the overall quality of life of citizens, but It will also help pave the way for the coming oil boom, as the Senegalese economy transforms from one dependent on fishing, agriculture, tourism and services, to a not-too-distant future in which huge Offshore oil and gas deposits will provide a major boost to the Senegalese economy. Many industries directly or indirectly linked to the oil and gas sector, such as construction, infrastructure, logistics, finance and banking, telecommunications and retail, are expected to increase as Senegal's vast energy resources will be monetized from 2023.

In order to prepare for a decade that will undoubtedly transform modern Senegal, the Administration of HE President Macky Sall has been working on a series of new large-scale infrastructure, transport, civil aviation and maritime logistics projects that will set the stage to grow and continue to attract FDI, not only in the lucrative oil and gas industry, but also in more established sectors such as tourism.

Blaise Diagne International Airport is already one of the most modern and attractive airports in sub-Saharan Africa. It is the initial entry point for many international travelers arriving in Senegal and creates a positive first impression about the country for visitors discovering Senegal for the first time. In addition to the modern airport, in the newly built city of Dianmiado, there is the Center international de Conférences Abdou Diouf (CICAD), a venue that hosts a variety of high-level events and conferences.

REGIONAL EXPRESS TRAIN

One of the most anticipated projects is the Regional Express Train (TER), one of the flagship projects of the PSE. The TER high-speed rail project will link Dakar city center with Blaise Diagne International Airport, located 57 km away, in less than 45 minutes. This new railway project consists of two phases: a first phase from Dakar station to Diamniadio (36 km) and a second phase from Diamniadio to AIBD, Dakar's international airport (19 km). Financing for this project was put in place by the government, as well as numerous development partners, including the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the International Development Bank (IDB).

This ambitious project will connect to other recently inaugurated modes of transport, such as articulated city buses, and will constitute a crucial new artery to help transport the citizens of Dakar. When phase one enters service, the TER will transport up to 115,000 passengers per day from central Dakar to 13 different stops located throughout Dakar's suburbs. Station 14 will be the last stop and represents the culmination of the project. Several local and international companies have participated in this infrastructure project, including SYSTRA, Getran and Eiffage Senegal, the Senegalese subsidiary of the French infrastructure and public works giant Eiffage Group.

The Senegalese Investment Promotion Agency, APIX, notes that: “with a frequency of 6 trains per hour (one train every 10 minutes) and a maximum speed of 160 km/h, the TER is a mass transport that respects standards. urban in terms of urban mobility. Furthermore, the TER project will not only boost mobility in Dakar, but will also have a positive impact on job creation; It is estimated that thousands of young Senegalese workers have already been employed in the construction phase, and others will be hired operating the TER. . It is hoped that this will also be boosted by renewing interest and revitalizing Senegal's railway industry. 

TURNPIKE

But the railway sector is not the only one that is experiencing important improvements. Under the PSE and according to the highest update priority. Senegal's infrastructure throughout the country as a means to promote greater regional and subregional integration. One of those projects is the Dakar-Diamniadio-AIBD toll highway. APIX notes that: “the toll highway project has contributed significantly to improving urban mobility and relieving congestion in the city of Dakar.” This iconic integrated urban project involves the construction of 48.5 km of highway between downtown Dakar and Blaise Diagne International Airport with a series of major interchanges that are designed to remove congestion from roads currently in operation. Some of the original inhabitants of the neighborhoods affected by the construction works have been resettled in the Tivaouane Peulh resettlement project, allowing them to enjoy modern facilities. 

HIGHWAY EXPANSION

Another large-scale project underway is an extension of the highway linking Dakar and Thiès, which is essential to avoid traffic jams that can occur in Dakar and surrounding neighborhoods during rush hours. It is a cornerstone of Dakar's strategy to improve urban mobility in general. The project has several stages that are being financed by various parties. Phase 1, Malick Sy-Patte d'Oie-Pikine, is being financed by the State of Senegal. Phase 2, Pikine Diamniadio, is being carried out as a Public-Private Partnership in partnership with the Eiffage Group. It is co-financed by the World Bank, the French Development Agency and the African Development Bank.

The 30-year concession for this project is in the hands of SENAC, which is a company owned 100% by the French group Eiffage. One of the main objectives of this project is to eliminate road congestion and help promote the establishment of new areas throughout the region encompassing Dakar-Thiès. These include sectors that have strong growth potential such as horticulture, textiles, ICT and emerging technologies. And beyond contributing to improving mobility along the Dakar-Thiès axis, on a broader level, its objective is to facilitate the establishment of the international road corridor linking Dakar-Bamako-Banjul-Bissau-Dakar-Conakry.

The importance of the initiative cannot be underestimated, because some of these countries, such as Mali, are landlocked and depend on neighboring countries such as Senegal for the import of strategic goods such as refined petroleum products. Therefore, by improving road links between the various countries of the MSGBC basin, not only Senegal will benefit, but also its neighbors who are equally eager to capitalize on the wealth of hydrocarbon resources recently unlocked in the MSGBC basin. .

In response to the growing demand for renewable energy and the growing interest of international stakeholders to invest, develop and succeed in Africa, Energy Capital & Power will host the conference and exhibition MSGBC Oil, Gas, & Power 2021 from December 1 to 3, 2021. . Focused on enhancing regional partnerships, stimulating investment and development in the oil, gas and energy sectors, the conference will link international regional stakeholders with African opportunities, serving as a growth-oriented platform for Africa's energy sector.

Source: EnergyCapital&Power