Senegal works to sustain electricity reforms after US funding ends
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Senegal’s actors in the energy sector met in Dakar on October 22, 2026, to review progress on the Electricity 2035 roadmap, a program funded by the United States and Senegal.
The Senegal Power Compact, supported by the Millennium Challenge Corporation, provided 311 billion FCFA from the US and 27 billion FCFA from Senegal to strengthen the country’s electrical system. The program, which began on September 9, 2021, is scheduled to end on March 9, 2027.
During the review, Oumar Diop, director general of MCA-Senegal II, highlighted achievements like the adoption of a new Electricity Code and improvements to the Commission de régulation du secteur de l’énergie (CRSE), Senegal’s energy regulatory commission. The program also trained over 200 people working in the energy sector. The CRSE now ranks first among 43 energy regulators in Africa, according to the African Development Bank’s Electricity Regulatory Index, improving from eighth place when the program started.
However, several tasks remain unfinished, including adopting final legal texts and establishing a single window for service and a third-party access office to the transport network. Senegal’s permanent secretary for Energy, Oumou Khayri Diaw Diop, emphasized the need to maintain the progress made and ensure Senegal can continue the reforms after the program ends. US officials also praised the collaboration and noted that reliable electricity is vital for Senegal’s economic potential.
The program’s success will depend on Senegal’s ability to provide reliable, accessible, and affordable electricity long-term, not just on financial commitments. Actors believe they can transform institutional gains into concrete improvements, especially in rural areas, and continue reforms beyond March 2027.
