Senegal
Regions of intervention

Senegal

Africa

In Senegal, LuxDev supports its partners in healthcare and social protection, vocational training and youth employment, water and sanitation, and inclusive governance.

LuxDev in Senegal

Luxembourg's cooperation with Senegal began in 1990 with the rehabilitation and expansion of healthcare infrastructure at Saint-Louis Hospital. This project marked the start of a relationship that has since grown and strengthened over the decades. In 1998, the two countries signed a general cooperation agreement, and in 2005, LuxDev established a representative office in Dakar.

Since then, four Indicative Cooperation Programmes have been implemented, focusing on key sectors such as healthcare, vocational training, access to clean water, and sanitation. With each programme cycle, the geographical scope of interventions has expanded, reaching an increasing number of beneficiaries.

Since 2018, the fourth Indicative Cooperation Programme has prioritised two key areas defined by Senegal and Luxembourg: healthcare and social protection, as well as vocational and technical training to improve employability. LuxDev works closely with national and regional stakeholders in Senegal to implement interventions in these sectors, ensuring alignment with the country’s policies and priorities.

Baobabs au Sénégal

© Yasmine Sweetlove

Challenges in Senegal

Senegal faces numerous development challenges.

  • Infirmiers devant une ambulance du SAMU National au Sénégal

    Health

    Public health in Senegal is burdened by major issues such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. The healthcare system struggles with a lack of qualified personnel and adequate infrastructure. Access to medical care remains unequal, especially in rural areas. Additionally, the social protection system is still in its early stages, leaving a large portion of the population without health coverage.

  • Homme prenant de l'eau dans des arrosoirs

    Water and sanitation

    Access to clean water and proper sanitation remains a significant challenge, further intensified by rapid urbanisation, which increases pressure on water resources. While most urban populations have access to drinking water, pollution threatens its quality. Additionally, only a fraction of these populations benefit from improved sanitation facilities, contributing to the spread of waterborne diseases.

  • Homme devant une scie sur table

    Education

    Despite having a young and dynamic population, Senegal experiences high unemployment. The education and training systems do not always align with labour market needs, leaving many young people without the right skills for employment.

  • 20% of children

    are affected by malnutrition

  • 30% of young graduates

    are unemployed

Our activities in Senegal

To address Senegal’s complex challenges, LuxDev supports its local partners across four key areas: healthcare and social protection, vocational training and youth employment, water and sanitation, and inclusive governance. 

Designed and implemented in close collaboration with local stakeholders, our interventions follow an integrated approach, aligned with Senegal’s national priorities for sustainable and inclusive development.

Significant investments are made to develop healthcare and education infrastructure. Training centres are being built, and healthcare facilities are being upgraded to ensure equitable access to services for all. At the same time, capacity-building initiatives engage local communities in managing water resources and education programmes, ensuring the long-term sustainability of these efforts. Involvement and partnership with the private sector are also central to our intervention strategies, maximising their impact and fostering innovation.

Key figures in Senegal

  • EUR 20,551,748

    disbursed in Senegal in 2024

Distribution of disbursements by sector in 2024

Evolution of activities in Senegal

Projects in Senegal

LuxDev also operates in other parts of Africa