Senegal has just reached a decisive step in its sustainable urban development policy. In an official statement received on June 17, 2025, the World Bank announces the approval of a concessional financing of $100 million through the International Development Association (IDA), aimed at deeply transforming urban mobility in the Dakar agglomeration, while preparing for the extension of the system to secondary cities.
This Sustainable Urban Mobility Project in Dakar constitutes the first phase of a large-scale program included in the Senegalese government’s Vision 2050. It aims to integrate existing transport networks, including the Regional Express Train (TER) and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), with restructured bus lines, while professionalizing informal transport actors and optimizing traffic management throughout the metropolis.
“This operation demonstrates the World Bank Group’s firm commitment to supporting Senegal’s development trajectory […] It will open up economic opportunities for 3.8 million people while enabling thousands of informal sector workers to find structured employment,” said Keiko Miwa, director of the Senegal division at the World Bank, quoted in the statement.
In addition to the hierarchical restructuring of bus lines, the project includes professional training and a fleet renewal program, with particular attention to economic and social inclusion. Future public transport will also integrate climate resilience standards, with improved drainage systems and the introduction of nature-based solutions to address flooding.
The project also includes the deployment of low-emission buses on priority corridors, contributing to the reduction of the transport sector’s carbon footprint in Senegal. This approach aligns with national goals of green growth and the desire to build an integrated, accessible, and sustainable transport system.
