In Dakar, contributing to the restructuration of the public transport network

To streamline daily commutes for Dakar residents, the Urban and Municipal Development Fund is funding technical studies to upgrade bus routes, depots, and stations, the public transport facilities that will be served by over 560 electric buses.

Dakar is on a mission to transform urban mobility. Picture this: seamlessly hopping off an express train and boarding an electric bus on dedicated lanes, passing through modern, well-equipped stations—all with a single ticket. This vision of smooth, integrated transport is the driving force behind a series of strategic investments to enhance mobility for residents while reducing the transport sector’s carbon footprint.

With its population projected to nearly double in the next 20 years, Dakar is facing an urgent need to rethink its transport network and make substantial investments in its public transportation. To tackle this challenge, local authorities and the Senegalese government are leveraging the technical expertise of the Urban and Municipal Development Fund (UMDF), whose grants are designed to fast-track infrastructure projects that prioritize social inclusion and integrate critical climate mitigation and adaptation measures.

In 2024, the UMDF unlocked a USD $650,000 grant to fund technical studies for the enhancement of 18 priority bus lines, covering approximately 50 kilometers of roads, around 10 intersections, two workshop depots, and 11 stations and terminals.

The overall project aims to promote zero-emission public transport through the deployment of 560 electric buses equipped with advanced electric motorization systems.

Furthermore, a climate-adaptive infrastructure will be a cornerstone of the project, with drainage systems developed along major roads and near stations to mitigate the risk of flooding, ensuring sustainable and resilient urban mobility.