Soon a network of more than 520 km August 27, 2026

The Senegalese motorway network is set to change scale. From Kaolack, several projects should make it possible to gradually extend the existing routes. In an exclusive interview with Le Soleil, the Director of Highways of Senegal, Dr Ibrahima Sall, discusses the challenges of motorway infrastructure for Senegal.

After the commissioning of the Mbour-Fatick-Kaolack highway, the next extension is taking shape towards the east. Studies of the Kaolack–Tambacounda section are already underway, in collaboration with Ageroute. This connection should help to strengthen the opening of Kaolack towards eastern Senegal and, beyond, towards the sub-regional corridors.

Another major project: the Dakar-Saint-Louis axis, work on which is in progress. Approximately 200 kilometers long, this project should strengthen service to the north of the country and improve connections between the capital, major urban centers and economic zones located along this axis.

Thus, more than 520 km of highways could be in operation when the various projects undertaken are gradually completed. The ambition is to provide Senegal with a motorway network meeting international standards and particularly significant on the scale of West Africa.

According to the explanations provided by the Director General of Autoroutes du Senegal (Ads) interviewed, the challenge is not only to increase the number of kilometers. In several countries in the sub-region, certain roads are classified as motorways without necessarily meeting all international standards. Senegal claims to have made another choice: to build highways according to precise standards, with the ambition of gradually building a coherent and efficient network.

El Hadji Ibrahima THIAM

Find the interview with Ibrahima Sall, Director of Highways of Senegal in the edition of Le Soleil on Friday August 28, 2026