Housing Finance in Senegal
Overview
This profile is also available in French here.
To download a PDF version of the full 2022 Senegal country profile, click here.
Dakar, the capital city, has a population of almost four million people. Senegal is attempting to alleviate the housing shortage via fast urbanisation and population expansion. In Senegal, 25% of urban spaces and 30% of populated areas in Dakar are deemed “informal.” A sizable portion of the population lives in substandard dwellings with no access to land.
Senegal’s economy improved in 2020’s fourth quarter. Consumption and government investments boosted 2021 growth to 6.1%. GDP grew from 1.3% to 3.2% in 2021. A large informal sector and limited government funding hinder recovery. To aid economic recovery, the government established the Economic and Social Resilience Program.Inflation is anticipated to reach 5.5% in 2022. Budget constraints and a large informal sector hinder recovery. To help economic recovery, the government established an Economic and Social Resilience Program, and the central bank reissued Recovery Bonds and Support and Resilience Bonds.
Senegal is prone to drought, locust invasions, and coastline erosion from climate change. This susceptibility will undoubtedly rise, affecting the country’s economy and households. Senegal’s climate strategy reduces its susceptibility to climate change. 2011 saw the development of a national framework for catastrophe prevention and reduction.
Even though the microfinance sector is one of the most active in the WAEMU in terms of the number of structures, loans given, and people who benefit from them, it does not have a big impact on how people pay for their homes.The number of Decentralized Financial Companies increased from 294 in 2020 to 295 in 2021.Outstanding loans and deposits are CFA500 billion (US$793.5 million) and US$654 million, respectively. In July 2021, CRRH inked a refinancing and housing loan deal with COFINA Senegal for low-income and/or irregular families. COFINA is the first microfinance institution to benefit from CRRH refinancing in the WAEMU zone.
Foncier et Rénovation Urbaine has inked an agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to create 20,000 housing units in Senegal. The lease-purchase deal, signed on March 24, 2022, consists of obtaining excellent housing from developers and making it accessible to low-income individuals via a rental scheme with the opportunity to buy.
Find out more information on the housing finance sector of Senegal, including key stakeholders, important policies and housing affordability:
- Overview
- Access to Finance
- Affordability
- Housing Supply
- Property Markets
- Policy and Legislation
- Opportunities
- Availability of Data on Housing Finance
- Green Applications for Affordable Housing
- Websites
Each year, CAHF publishes its Housing Finance in Africa Yearbook. The profile above is from the 2022 edition, which has up-to-date profiles for 55 African countries.
Download yearbookSenegal
Overview
Senegal is regarded as one of the most stable countries in Africa. However, the July 2022 legislative elections left the national assembly without an absolute majority and terrorist activities in neighbouring countries risk fueling instability.[1] Senegal has an estimated population of 16.7 million and a population growth rate of 2.7%[2], with more than four million people living in Dakar, the capital city. The percentage of the population that is urbanised was 49%[3] in 2021. With an insufficient supply of affordable housing and rapid urbanisation, combined with limited availability of serviced land and relevant financial products for developers and buyers and construction costs, Senegal is trying to curb the housing crisis. However, 25% of urban spaces in Senegal and 30% of inhabited areas in Dakar[4] are considered informal. A significant part of the population therefore lives in inadequate housing without land security.
The Senegalese economy recovered gradually in the last quarter of 2020 and growth accelerated in 2021 to reach 6.1%, thanks to increased consumption and government investments.[5] Gross domestic product (GDP) growth increased from 1.3% in 2020 to 3.2%[6] in 2021. However, the rapid rise in crude oil and food prices, caused among other factors by the war in Ukraine and, to a lesser extent, the freezing of trade with Mali linked to the sanctions adopted by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS),[7] have had an impact on the main macroeconomic indicators. To support the recovery of economic activity the government has implemented an Economic and Social Resilience Programme and the central bank has renewed its initiatives relating to Recovery Bonds and Support and Resilience Bonds.[8] However limited government budgets and a large informal sector make recovery difficult.[9] Various initiatives are being carried out to mitigate inflation, which is expected to reach 5.5% in 2022 compared to 2.2%[10] a year earlier.
Senegal is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change from drought, locust invasions, flooding (as experienced in the Dakar and Thies regions in 2020), and water-related health epidemics, rising sea-levels, coastal erosion and bushfires.[11] This vulnerability is likely to increase, which will in turn impact the country’s economic prospects and household livelihoods. [12] Senegal has made significant efforts to reduce its vulnerability to climate change with the development and implementation of a real climate plan. Among other things, a national platform for the prevention and reduction of major disaster risks,[13] and a national risk reduction and disaster management programme was developed in 2011. Senegal launched the Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation Project in 2012, with funding from the World Bank. This aims to facilitate the development of climate-resilient infrastructure and ensure its accessibility for all, in particular vulnerable people in the low income groups.
[1] World Bank (2022).The World Bank in Senegal. Overview. https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/senegal/overview#1 (Accessed 11 October 2022).
[2] World Bank (2021). Population growth (annual %) – Senegal. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/%20SP.POP.GROW%20?locations=SN (Accessed 2 August 2022).
[3] World Bank (2021). Urban population (% of total population) – Senegal. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/%20SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS%20?locations=SN (Accessed 2 August 2022).
[4] Gonnet, L. (2021). Affordable Housing Program in Senegal. Project Information Document (PID). 6 January 2021. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/867621609956260922/pdf/Concept-Project-Information-Document-PID-Affordable-Housing-Program-in-Senegal-P174759.pdf (Accessed 2 September 2022). Pg. 3.
[5] World Bank (2022). Poverty and Equity Brief, Senegal. https://databank.worldbank.org/data/download/poverty/987B9C90-CB9F-4D93-AE8C-750588BF00QA/current/Global_POVEQ_SEN.pdf (Accessed 2 August 2022). Pg. 1.
[6] World Bank. (2021). GDP per capita growth (annual %) – Senegal. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/%20NY.GDP.PCAP.KD.ZG%20?locations=SN (Accessed 2 August 2022).
[7] International Monetary Fund. (2022). Press Release No. 22/221. 22 June 2022. https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2022/06/22/pr22221-senegal (Accessed 2 August 2022).
[8] Central Bank of West African States (2022). Report on monetary policy in WAMU. June 2022. https://www.bceao.int/fr/publications/rapport-sur-la-politique-monetaire-juin-2022 (Accessed 2 August 2022). Pg. 13.
[9] World Bank (2022). The World Bank in Senegal – Overview. https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/senegal/overview#1 (Accessed 11 October 2022).
[10] Central Bank of West African States (2022). Report on the evolution of consumer prices in the WAEMU in 2021 and outlook. June 2022. https://www.bceao.int/sites/default/files/2022-06/Rapport%20sur%20l%27%C3%A9volution%20des%20prix%20%C3%A0%20la%20consommation%20dans%20l%27UEMOA%20en%202021%20et%20perspectives.pdf (Accessed 2 August 2022). Pg. 7.
[11] World Bank (2022). Climate Change Overview – Country Summary. Senegal. https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/senegal#:~:text=Senegal%20is%20vulnerable%20to%20the,its%20corollaries%2C%20and%20bush%20fire. (Accessed 11 October 2022).
[12] Olivier, M. (2013). Climate change: the list of the 10 most vulnerable African countries. 30 October 2013. Jeune Afrique. https://www.jeuneafrique.com/167534/politique/changement-climatique-la-liste-des-10-pays-africains-les-plus-vuln-rables/ (Accessed 11 October 2022).
[13] Republic of Senegal. (2008). Official Journal. http://www.jo.gouv.sn/spip.php?article6784 (Accessed 2 September 2022).
Access to Finance
Financial inclusion in Senegal is relatively low. The proportion of adults with an account with a financial institution is 28%[1] while the average in Sub-Saharan Africa is 40%. This rate is 32% for men and 24% for women. The proportion of adults over the age of 25 who have borrowed from a financial institution is 12%. The average in Sub-Saharan Francophone countries is 9%.[2]
The Senegalese financial sector continues to expand. This is demonstrated by a constant evolution of its banking network, the most developed in the sub-region, with 27 banks and four financial institutions in 2022.[3] The lack of long-term financing remains a major obstacle for the development of the housing market. However, the intervention of the Caisse Régionale de Refinancement Hypothécaire (CRRH), although limited, plays a crucial role in allocating additional resources to its shareholder banks. Banque of the Habitat of Senegal (BHS) benefited from five refinancings for a total amount of CFA26 billion (US$41.4 million) including CFA12.5 billion (USS$19.8 million) from market resources and CFA13.6 billion(US$21.5 million) from concessional resources. As collateral for this assistance, it mobilised 6 093 mortgage loan contracts as collateral, including 4 286 for market refinancing and 1 807 for concessional refinancing.[4] The low availability of mortgage loans (from banks and microfinance institutions) is one of the major constraints for the development of real estate and services. Between 2012 and 2017, the share of real estate credit in bank financing amounted to 3.2% of the CFA48 billion (US$76 million) per year of bank loans distributed in Senegal. Nevertheless, a comparative analysis between the West African Monetary Union (WAEMU) countries shows that Dakar is the most dynamic city for housing credits. The country offers the lowest rates in the region.[5] This varies between 5. 5% and 9% for individuals at BHS. BHS is the backbone of real estate financing in Senegal. In 2020, of the CFA5 247 billion (US$9 484 billion) outstanding credit in the Senegalese banking system, BHS’s share was CFA365 billion (US$579 million).[6]
The microfinance sector, although one of the most dynamic in the WAEMU in the number of structures and loans granted and beneficiaries, does not play a big role in the financing of housing. The number of Decentralized Financial Companies increased from 294 in 2020 to 295 in 2021.[7] Outstanding loans and deposits are respectively CFA500 billion (US$793.5 million) and CFA412 billion (US$654 million), following increases of 2% and 6% respectively compared to 2020.[8] As for microfinance structures, CRRH signed a refinancing and housing loan agreement[9] for low income and/or irregular households with COFINA Senegal in July 2021. COFINA is the first in the microfinance sector to benefit from the refinancing of the CRRH in the WAEMU zone.
The initiating of government-related financing mechanisms, through the Social Housing Fund (FHS), the Priority Investment Guarantee Fund (FONGIP), and the Sovereign Strategic Investments Fund (FONSIS), will contribute to serving low income households as part of the government programme for 100 000 dwellings.
[1] World Bank (2021). The Global Findex Database 2021: Financial Inclusion, Digital Payments, and Resilience in the Age of COVID-19. https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/globalfindex (Accessed 2 August 2022).
[2] World Bank (2021). The Global Findex Database 2021: Financial Inclusion, Digital Payments, and Resilience in the Age of COVID-19. https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/globalfindex (Accessed 2 August 2022).
[3] Central Bank of West African States (2022). Banking landscape. 30 June 2022. https://www.bceao.int/fr/content/paysage-bancaire (Accessed 12 August 2022).
[4] Centre of Excellence of the WAEMU Habitat. (July 2022). Pre-report of Senegal.
[5] OnPoint Africa Group (2020). Study of the real estate sector in Dakar. (Accessed 12 August 2022).
[6] Manè, M. (2021). 2021 Housing Finance Yearbook: Senegal profile. 1 Dec 2021. Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa. https://housingfinanceafrica.org/documents/2021-housing-finance-yearbook-senegal-profile/ (Accessed 11 October 2022).
[7] Ministry of Finance and Budget.(2021). Regulatory Directorate and FSDs Oversight. Annual Report 2021. https://drs-sfd.gouv.sn/sitedrs/index.php/2022/06/13/rapport-annuel-2021/ (Accessed 2 August 2022). Pg. 22.
[8] Ministry of Finance and Budget.(2021). FSD Regulation and Supervision Directorate. Annual Report 2021. https://drs-sfd.gouv.sn/sitedrs/index.php/2022/06/13/rapport-annuel-2021/ (Accessed 12 August 2022). Pg. 23.
[9] Caisse Régionale de Refinancement Hypothécaire (2022). Press Release: CRRH-UEMOA And CECA Sign a Partnership for the Refinancing Of Housing Loans for Low-Income Households. http://crrhuemoa.org/communique-de-presse-ceca-crrhuemoa/ (Accessed 2 August 2022).
Affordability
Two important components of housing accessibility are household income and housing cost. According to the National Agency for Statistics and Demography (ANSD), an employee earns an average of CFA112 423 (US$178) a month.[1] The minimum wage was CFA58 900 (US$93) a month in 2021. Men earn an average of CFA124 454 (US$197) a month compared to CFA86 480 (US$137) for women. The informal economy supports 96.45%[2] of the working population. The importance of the informal economy in household livelihoods makes it difficult to account for the unemployment rate; which was 11.6% in 2018.[3]
Housing expenditure is the second most important item of expenditure for Senegalese households, behind food.[4] In Dakar, housing accounts for 37% of household non-food expenditure for repair or rental of their housing.[5] The cost of housing in the household budget would exceed 50% for the poorest 47% of households in Dakar.[6] Few households are able to save to invest in their homes, due to low incomes and high living costs. In addition, 70%[7] of citizens do not have any type of bank account or are not able to meet formal loan requirements to obtain financing for their home.
An analysis of the minimum wage and what an employee in the formal sector earns shows strong income inequalities between social categories. This provides information on the ineligibility of the vast majority of Senegalese households for government social housing (dedicated to first-time buyers with modest incomes). The cheapest housing produced by the public developer Société Nationale des Habitations à Loyer Modéré (SN HLM) is CFA12 million (US$19 046). For a loan with a term of 25 years, an interest rate of 8%, and a deposit of 20% of the total price, this housing would cost CFA184 987 (US$ 293) a month, and CFA61 538 (US$97) over the term. This product is affordable for 80% of the urban population. [8] In Dakar, this housing supply is below the average purchase price of economic F4 housing, currently estimated at CFA16.3 million[9] (US$25 870).
[1] National Agency for Statistics and Demography (2022). Harmonized Survey on Household Living Conditions 2018-2019. 1 September 2022. https://microdata.worldbank.org/index.php/catalog/4297/get-microdata (Accessed 12 August 2022). Pg. 80.
[2] Ministry of Crafts and Informal Sector Transformation (2022). National Strategy integrated formalization of the informal economy (SNIFEI) and action plan Informal Sector Transformation Operation (PAOTSI) 2022-2026. https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/—ed_emp/—emp_ent/—ifp_seed/documents/presentation/wcms_849843.pdf (Accessed 11 October 2022), Pg. 12.
[3] National Agency for Statistics and Demography (2021). Harmonized Survey on Household Living Conditions 2018-2019. https://microdata.worldbank.org/index.php/catalog/4297 (Accessed 12 August 2022). Pg. 6.
[4] National Agency for Statistics and Demography (September 2021). Harmonized Survey on Household Living Conditions 2018-2019. https://microdata.worldbank.org/index.php/catalog/4297 (Accessed 12 August 2022). Pg. 35.
[5] Ministry of Urban Planning, Housing and Public Hygiene (2020). Directorate-General for Construction and Housing. Advisory support to the operation of development of Daga kholpa (Senegal). March 2020. (Accessed 12 August 2022). Pg. 38.
[6] Ministry of Urban Planning, Housing and Public Hygiene (2020). Directorate-General for Construction and Housing. Advisory support to the operation of development of Daga kholpa (Senegal). March 2020. (Accessed 12 August 2022). Pg. 38.
[7] World Bank (2021). The Global Findex Database 2021: Financial Inclusion, Digital Payments, and Resilience in the Age of COVID-19. https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/globalfindex (Accessed 12 August 2022).
[8] CAHF (2019). Calculating Mortgage and Housing Affordability in Africa: 2021. Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa. 18 March 2019. https://housingfinanceafrica.org/documents/calculating-mortgage-and-housing-affordability-in-africa/ (Accessed 12 August 2022).
[9] OnPoint Africa Group. (April 2020). Study of the real estate sector in Dakar.
Housing Supply
Data on the existing housing stock is scarce but there is an estimated deficit of 370 000 housing units for the whole country and 160 000 for Dakar.[1] Despite their strong contribution to housing development in Dakar and the interior of the country in the past, SN HLM and Société Immobilière du Cap Vert (SICAP) have been experiencing sluggish production in recent years. This puts pressure on the supply of housing for low income households. However, renewed state support provided under the 100 000 housing programme, is intended to contribute to a massive construction of housing. The state has undertaken to allocate and transfer on behalf of SICAP, the 430ha of land necessary for the construction of 13 952 housing units.[2] SN HLM signed a contract with the government for the construction of 15 000 housing units, part of the 100 000 housing project, in 2021. In 2021, SN HLM produced 155 housing units, including 93 housing units in Dakar and 62 in the interior of the country.[3] Of the 958 housing units planned by SICAP in the same year, only 154 were registered, including serviced land, villas and apartments.
Annual housing production rarely exceeds 5 000 units and even this number is not always reached, as in 2021. Out of a target of 15 000 housing units, only 2 458 units (economic, apartments, duplex villas) were delivered.[4] Private real estate developers operating in Dakar have an annual production capacity of 2 000 homes. They are aimed exclusively at the solvent middle and upper classes. The remaining 3 000 housing units would be self-built (most often on unserviced land) and housing cooperatives. The price of marketed housing currently varies between CFA15 million and CFA80 million (US$23 807 and US$126 974). These prices cover economic detached houses (F3 and F4) on 150m² to 200m².[5] In addition, 62.1% of the offer is in the range of CFA20 million to CFA60 million (US$31 743 to US$95 230) and 15.7% of the offer exceeds CFA60 million (US$95 230 US$). Tenants represent 41% of urban households in Dakar and pay a median rent of nearly CFA79 000[6] (US$125).
In Senegal, most households build their housing. This production reflects an ingenious use by a community of the resources and opportunities at its disposal. Traditionally, most of the materials used are organic and vegetable types (wood, bamboo, straws and leaves) that are available locally.
The costs of building materials contribute to the increasing price of real estate and the inaccessibility of housing to many. Imported materials, used for plumbing, painting, tiles, carpentry and waterproofing constitutes 50% of the construction costs of a dwelling. However, three local cement production units (SOCOCIM Industries, Ciments du Sahel and Dangote) makes it possible to meet domestic demand for cement.
[1] World Bank (2022). IFC and Senegal’s Sovereign Wealth Fund Partner to Develop Affordable Housing in Senegal https://pressroom.ifc.org/all/pages/PressDetail.aspx?ID=26890 (Accessed 2 August 2022).
[2] SICAP Ltd (2019). Technical note. Performance contract between the State of Senegal and SICAP SA. Pg. 2.
[3] Ministry of Urban Planning, Housing and Public Hygiene (2022). Sector Review 2022. (Accessed 12 August 2022). Pg. 14.
[4] Ministry of Urban Planning, Housing and Public Hygiene (2022). Sector Review 2022. (Accessed 24 August 2022). Pg. 15.
[5] Espélia (2020). Market Study. Analysis of the demand in the Pole urban of Daga Kholpa. (Accessed August 24 2022).
[6] OnPoint Africa Group (2020). Study of the real estate sector in Dakar. April 2020.
Property Markets
Residential real estate is experiencing a surge, caused by the major public apartment programmes underway in Dakar. However, residential markets have an annual return of only 6%.[1] The increase in the volume of residential developments is greater in Rufisque with more than 60%[2] of the current supply. Bambilor and Diamniadio welcome private and public real estate developers, and new construction is taking place there.
The 100 000 housing programme is having an impact on the market through a platform to monitor the 270 422 applicants registered for the project and through the establishment of a selection commission for developers, buyers and housing cooperatives. Thirteen agreements for the construction of 63 817 housing units over three years with private developers have been signed, with ongoing construction of 1 000 housing units by cooperatives.[3] Other construction of housing for this programme includes 178 units being built by the real estate company S2I (153) and SN HLM (25).[4]
In Dakar, 45.8%[5] are owners of their homes with title deeds and 42.8% are tenants. At the national level, 39.9% are owners with title deeds and 31.8% are untitled owners. The status of owner of the dwelling by sex indicates that 11.7% of men own a dwelling alone (legally registered in their name or which cannot be sold without their signature) against 0.9% for women.[6]
Housing in Senegal and particularly in Dakar is a financial burden on the household budget. More than half the income of Dakar residents is now absorbed by rent.[7] The average monthly rent in a newly built apartment is CFA131 441 (US$208).[8] This sum is the average of the first five months of 2022 and reflects an increase of 5.8% compared to the same period in 2021.
In Senegal, the price of unserviced land and built-up land is on a scale set by decree N° 2010-439 of 6 April 2010. However, the selling prices of land and housing has evolved through a market dynamic established on a speculative basis, according to supply and demand. By way of illustration, the value of a square metre of unserviced land in Dakar Plateau is set at CFA300 000 (US$476) by this decree, while free market transactions are made at CFA1 000 000 (US$1 587) on average.
[1] Knight Frank. (2022). The Africa Report 2022-2023. https://content.knightfrank.com/resources/knightfrank.com/reports/africareport/the-africa-report-2022.pdf (Accessed 17 August 2022). Pg. 30.
[2] OnePoint Africa Group (2020). Study of the real estate sector in Dakar.
[3] Ministry of Urban Planning, Housing and Public Hygiene (2022). Sector Review. (Accessed 24 August 2022).
[4] Ministry of Urban Planning, Housing and Public Hygiene (2022). Sector Review. (Accessed 24 August 2022). Pg. 12.
[5] National Agency for Statistics and Demography (2021). Harmonized Survey on Living Conditions of Households (EHCVM) in Senegal. September 2021. https://satisfaction.ansd.sn/ressources/rapports/Rapport-final-EHCVM-11092021%20vf-Senegal%20004.pdf (Accessed 17 August 2022.). Pg. 94.
[6] World Bank. (2019). Gender Data Portal – Senegal. https://genderdata.worldbank.org/countries/senegal/ (Accessed 17 August 2022).
[7] Ollivier, T. (2021). Senegal: rents explode in Dakar. Le Monde. 3 September 2021. https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2021/09/03/senegal-les-loyers-explosent-a-dakar_6093324_3212.html (Accessed 17 August 2022).
[8] National Agency for Statistics and Demography (2022). Monthly Bulletin of Economic and Financial Statistics for May 2022. https://satisfaction.ansd.sn/ressources/publications/BULLETIN_MAI_2022_imp.pdf (Accessed 17 August 2022). Pg. 56.
Policy and Legislation
The Senegalese government plays a regulatory and facilitating role in the housing sector. It is involved in the provision of primary infrastructure (main roads, electricity, water, sanitation) but also in the granting of land and the implementation of financial tools for social housing projects. However, the state sometimes goes beyond its role as regulator by initiating the production of serviced land or housing. This is the case with BIA programmes or projects that respond to emergency needs.
The computerised entry of land data through the Land Conservation Offices, launched in 2021 by the General Directorate of Taxes and Domains will provide a vast inventory of real estate. In addition, the Project for the Improvement of Cadastre and Land Tenure is the beginning of a response to poor land governance and poorly performing management systems. The operationalisation of these services explains why Senegal occupied a relatively successful position in registration of a property (41 days[1] – thus positioning itself below the average of 51.6 days in Sub-Saharan Africa) in 2021.
With global budget of nearly CFA2 500 billion (US$3 billion) for the 100 000 housing project, the Senegalese government should supply a corresponding CFA600 billion (US$952.3 million) for the costs of the development and servicing of the sites.[2] The state does, however, not intervene in construction, which is supported by households (self-promotion), public and private real estate developers and housing cooperatives.
The support of the public authorities to households to access housing is also reflected in the granting of interest-free loans called “DMC loans” (other sources of financing for households exist, such as FONGIP). These loans for civil servants and other agents support the acquisition of housing and/or land from real estate developers. Over the period 2014 to 2021, the provision of “DMC loans” amounted to CFA52.5 billion (US$83.3 million) for 21 525 beneficiaries.[3]
As part of the housing reforms, the most prominent is the establishment of a one-stop shop for state and land procedures. This allows the applicant or beneficiary of social housing to benefit from a quality and secure service to carry out the commercial transaction to purchase the property. Also, with the aim of promoting urban planning, housing and construction, a new Letter of Sectoral Development Policy (LPSD 2021-2025) has been adopted. In addition,[4] 15 new urban planning and housing departments have been created.
Property is a man’s business in Senegal. Many women can only access resources through their partner or husband. With an average score of 66.9[5] out of 100 below the global average score of 76.5 and behind countries such as Cote d’Ivoire (83.1), Burkina Faso (82.5), Togo (81.9) and Benin (80.6), Senegal still has work to do in terms of legal differences between men and women on eight indicators (assets and retirement, remuneration, entrepreneurship, marriage, parenthood, workplace, mobility). The laws in Senegal do not allow any discrimination in matters of property and inheritance. However, discrimination occurs in practice because of religious and social beliefs.
[1] World Bank (2020). Ease of Doing Business in Senegal. https://archive.doingbusiness.org/en/data/exploreeconomies/senegal (Accessed 17 August 2022).
[2] Ministry of Urban Planning, Housing and Public Hygiene (2022). Presentation of the Ministre Abdoulaye Sow whereas some signature d’a convention with the World Bank on the support project to the 100 000 housing programme.
[3] Ministry of Finance and Budget (2021). Signature of the framework agreement with the Professional Association of Banks and Financial Institutions of Senegal (APBEFS). November 2021.
[4] Ministry Urban Planning, Housing and Public Hygiene (2022). Sector Review 2022. June 2022. (Accessed 17 August 2022). Pg. 2.
[5] World Bank (2022). Women, Business and the Law 2022. 1 March 2022. https://wbl.worldbank.org/en/reports (Accessed 12 August 2022). Pg. 114.
Opportunities
The collaboration between FONSIS and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for the development of 20 000 housing units in Senegal offers new financing arrangements. This agreement, signed on 24 March 2022,[1] is a lease-purchase vehicle that consists of acquiring quality housing from developers and making them available to low income people through a rental programme with an option to purchase.
To enable government institutional tools to intervene effectively, it is important to reconcile these. This involves agreements and memoranda of understanding between FONGIP, FONSIS, banks, microfinance institutes, FHS and the Société d’Aménagement Foncier et de Rénovation Urbaine
[1] World Bank (2022). IFC and Senegal’s Sovereign Wealth Fund Partner to Develop Affordable Housing in Senegal. 24 March 2022. https://pressroom.ifc.org/all/pages/PressDetail.aspx?ID=26890 (Accessed 8 August 2022).
Availability of Data on Housing Finance
The production of statistical data on housing is carried out by the National Agency for Statistics and Demography, in particular through household surveys, censuses and studies. At the same time, it also publishes specific gender-related surveys and studies.
Although the Banque de l’Habitat du Sénégal collects data from developers and customers, it is not made public. Data on structures of urban planning, housing and construction are part of this.
The Central Bank of West African States is involved in the dissemination and production of statistics on bank financing in general, but to a lesser degree on housing. In the absence of consistent and reliable data, it is difficult to determine data on the issues of climate change in terms of affordable housing.
The recent creation of the Office of Training on the Credit (BIC) in Senegal is positive. The BIC collects available credit or payment data from financial institutions, public sources and major billers. The Centre d’Excellence de l’Habitat of the WAEMU could contribute to the production of statistical data on housing finance in the eight WAEMU countries, through its data collection platform that operates a statistical monitoring of indicators on urban land, housing and its financing.
Green Applications for Affordable Housing
In 2021, 22 buildings were classified as green in Senegal.[1] The World Bank’s project to support the 100 000 housing project integrates the concept of “green buildings” into its programme. The development of a sustainable district of 150 housing, service and local infrastructure units by the Senegalese Federation of Inhabitants, organised as a Housing Cooperative and supported by the non-governmental organisation UrbaSEN,[2] is an example of an approach aimed at reducing the environmental impacts of housing and promoting a model of access to affordable housing. To develop construction methods that respect the environment and the climate, the ongoing revision of the urban planning code and the construction code is working to boost energy efficiency, with priority given to green building materials and less expensive concrete.
Analysis of the main mode of lighting showed that electricity is most widely available at the national level. It is used by 63 8% of households, with 59.4% connected to the power grid and 4%.4% to a generator.[3] Almost all urban households (97%)[4] have access to an improved source of drinking water supply compared to 81% for rural households. Three-quarters of households (75%) have access to sanitation facilities.
[1] Knight Frank. (2022). The Africa Report 2022-2023. https://content.knightfrank.com/resources/knightfrank.com/reports/africareport/the-africa-report-2022.pdf (Accessed 17 August 2022). Pg. 30.
[2] UrbaWorld (2021). The logement affordable. Strategys affordable housing co-operatives through the example of the Senega FederationLaise des Habitants. (Accessed 17 August 2022). Pg. 25.
[3] National Agency for Statistics and Demography (September 2021). Harmonized Survey on Household Living Conditions 2018-2019. https://microdata.worldbank.org/index.php/catalog/4297 (Accessed 17 August 2022). Pg. 100.
[4] The DHS Program (2022). Malaria Indicators Survey (EIPS) 2020-2021. Final Report. January 2022. (Accessed 17 August 2022). Pg. 11.
Websites
National Agency for Statistics and Demography www.ansd.sn
Central Bank of West African States www.bceao.int
Banque de l’Habitat du Sénégal www.bhs.sn
Centre d’Excellence de l’Habitat of the WAEMU www.ceh-uemoa.org
Directorate of Regulation and Supervision of Decentralized Financial Systems www.drs.sfd.gouv.sn
Directorate of Forecasting and Economic Studies www.dpee.sn
Priority Investment Guarantee Fund www.fongip.sn
Souverain Strategic Investments Fund http://www.fonsis.org/fr
Land Development and Urban Renewal Company www.safru.sn
Cape Verde Real Estate Company www.sicap.sn
Société Nationale des Habitations à Loyer Modéré www.snhlm.sn
A family with a roof over their www.unefamilleuntoit.gouv.sn
