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Dakar — A decade of transformative progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) took center stage at the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York, where Senegal presented its third National Voluntary Review (NVR) on July 13, 2026.
From rural energy gaps to nationwide milestones
Ten years ago, barely one in three rural Senegalese had access to electricity. Today, that number has surged to seven out of ten. This dramatic shift was among the key achievements highlighted by Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, Senegal’s Minister of Hydraulics and Sanitation, during the country’s latest NVR presentation. The review, conducted every four years, reflects Senegal’s ongoing commitment to tracking progress under the 2030 Agenda.
The forum, held from July 7 to 15 under the theme of transformative, equitable, and innovative action, focused on five critical SDGs: clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, resilient infrastructure and innovation, sustainable cities, and global partnerships. Senegal was one of 36 countries presenting its review this year, alongside Cabo Verde and Italy.
A decade of measurable gains
Senegal’s progress is reflected in concrete data. Access to electricity nationwide has risen from 62% in 2015 to 86% in 2024, with renewable energy now accounting for 29.1% of installed capacity—up from just 3% in 2016. The government has set an ambitious target: 40% renewable energy in the national energy mix by 2030. Meanwhile, urban water access has reached 97.8%, while rural areas have seen a nine-point improvement over the past decade, now standing at over 96%.
Sanitation improvements have been equally striking. In rural areas, coverage jumped from 37.5% to 64.5% since 2015, while urban areas saw growth from 62.5% to 73.65%. The minister emphasized that these gains were achieved through participatory approaches involving local governments, civil society, the private sector, and UN agencies.
Urban mobility has also transformed. The Dakar Regional Express Train (TER), launched in recent years, carried 23.1 million passengers in 2025—nearly nine times the number a decade earlier. The fully electric Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system now prevents over 53,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually. Air quality in the capital has improved significantly, with fine particle levels dropping from 35 to 21.8 micrograms per cubic meter.
Challenges remain on the path to 2030
Despite these advances, major challenges persist. Over half of Senegal’s population now lives in cities, where a housing deficit of nearly 500,000 units persists. Public debt stands at 116.1% of GDP, though domestic revenue mobilization has improved, with national taxes now funding 69.7% of the national budget—up from 54.8% in 2015.
The minister outlined four priority levers to accelerate SDG progress by 2030: systemic economic transformation through eight strategic sectors; securing water and sanitation via the National Water Security Compact; implementing the updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) with a focus on renewable energy; and mobilizing sustainable financing through strengthened partnerships, including continued cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Senegal is also pursuing a National Transition Strategy to graduate from the least developed country category.
Global dialogue: transparency, migration, and football
The interactive dialogue that followed the presentation saw delegates and civil society engage openly. The Gambia praised Senegal’s strong bilateral ties and asked how transparency and anti-corruption measures are being strengthened. The minister highlighted the role of the National Anti-Fraud and Corruption Office (OFNAC), the National Financial Intelligence Unit (CENTIF), and the new Financial Judicial Pool. He noted that Senegal was removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) gray list in October 2024 and confirmed as compliant on June 29, 2026—a milestone he called tangible progress.
Spain inquired about the role of the diaspora in development. The minister responded that well-governed migration creates shared benefits: host countries gain skilled labor and economic growth, while origin countries benefit from remittances, knowledge transfers, and stronger economic ties. He stressed that Senegal aims to deepen balanced migration partnerships with Spain.
Even football made an appearance when Ireland congratulated Senegal on the Teranga Lions’ impressive performance in the recent World Cup.
In closing, the minister reaffirmed Senegal’s unwavering commitment to the 2030 Agenda. “We remain fully dedicated to this path, working hand in hand with the international community to turn these goals into reality,” he stated.
