The rural electrification rate in Senegal has skyrocketed from one in three households a decade ago to seven in ten today. This remarkable transformation was among the key achievements highlighted by the country during its third Voluntary National Review presented at the United Nations headquarters in New York on July 13, 2026.

The review was delivered by Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, Minister of Hydraulics and Sanitation, to the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which convened from July 7 to 15 under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. This year’s forum focused on transformative, equitable, and innovative action to advance the 2030 Agenda, with deep dives into five critical Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): water and sanitation, energy, infrastructure and innovation, urban development, and partnerships.

Senegal joined 35 other nations in presenting its progress, including ten from West and Central Africa. The country shared the spotlight with Cabo Verde and Italy during the review session.

Collaborative effort drives SDG progress

Dièye emphasized the participatory nature of the review, stating: « After presenting our first Voluntary National Review in 2018 and the second in 2022, this third edition reflects our ongoing commitment to regularly assess our progress toward the 2030 Agenda. » He acknowledged the contributions of sectoral ministries, local governments, civil society, the private sector, and the United Nations system in shaping the review.

The process incorporated innovative approaches, including alternative reports from civil society, consultations with disability associations, and Senegal’s first-ever comprehensive Local Voluntary Review, conducted by the municipality of Pikine. A Voluntary National Review is a self-assessment by a country to evaluate its progress toward the 17 SDGs, identify gaps, and share lessons with the global community. These reviews are presented at the High-Level Political Forum, the UN’s primary platform for tracking the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

The SDGs are embedded in Senegal’s national transformation agenda, Senegal 2050, and the National Development Strategy (NDS) 2025–2029. Nearly 93% of SDG indicators are tracked through the national monitoring and evaluation system, including the annual Joint Review, which serves as a vital tool for dialogue and accountability.

Key milestones in water, sanitation, and energy

For a minister overseeing water and sanitation, progress on SDG 6 was a natural focal point. Access to safe drinking water has reached 97.8% in urban areas and over 96% in rural regions, with rural coverage improving by nearly nine percentage points over the past decade. Sanitation improvements have been even more pronounced in rural areas, rising from 37.5% to 64.5% since 2015—a change the minister described as « particularly striking. » Urban sanitation coverage has also grown, from 62.5% to 73.65%.

The energy sector has seen equally impressive strides. Electricity access has climbed 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 national target is to reach 40% renewable energy in the energy mix by 2030.

Urban mobility in Dakar has also transformed, with the Regional Express Train (TER) carrying 23.1 million passengers in 2025—up from 2.7 million a decade earlier—and the fully electric Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system cutting over 53,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually.

Addressing challenges and setting future priorities

Despite these gains, challenges remain. More than half of Senegal’s population now lives in urban areas, and the country faces a housing deficit of nearly 500,000 units. 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, compared to 54.8% in 2015. Air quality in Dakar has also improved, with average fine particle levels dropping from 35 to 21.8 micrograms per cubic meter.

Looking ahead to 2030, the minister outlined four key acceleration levers: systemic economic transformation around eight strategic sectors and special economic zones; securing water and sanitation through the National Water Security Compact; implementing the updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) and accelerating renewable energy adoption; and mobilizing sustainable financing through strengthened partnerships, including continued cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and a National Transition Strategy to graduate from the least developed countries category.

Global dialogue highlights transparency and migration

During an interactive dialogue following the review, delegates and civil society posed pointed questions. The representative from Gambia praised the deep historical and familial ties between the two nations and inquired about Senegal’s efforts to enhance transparency and combat corruption. Dièye responded by highlighting institutions such as the National Anti-Fraud and Corruption Office (OFNAC), the National Financial Intelligence Unit (CENTIF), and the new Financial Judicial Pool. He noted that Senegal had been removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) gray list in October 2024, a status confirmed on June 29, 2026—achievements he described as « tangible progress. »

A delegate from Spain asked how the Senegalese diaspora could contribute further to development. The minister emphasized the mutual benefits of well-governed migration, noting that host countries gain from the skills and economic contributions of migrants, while countries of origin benefit from remittances, skills transfers, and strengthened economic ties. He stressed that Senegal aims to deepen its balanced partnership with Spain on migration governance as a lever for sustainable development.

The review concluded on a unifying note, with a delegate from Ireland congratulating Senegal on the performance of the Teranga Lions at the recent FIFA World Cup.

In his closing remarks, Dièye reaffirmed Senegal’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda, stating: « We remain fully dedicated to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and will continue this journey with the international community. »