Ten years ago, barely one in three rural residents in Senegal had access to electricity. Today, seven out of ten do. This remarkable transformation was among the key achievements shared by the country during its third Voluntary National Review (VNR) presented at the United Nations headquarters in New York on July 13, 2026.
Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, Senegal’s Minister of Hydraulics and Sanitation, delivered the report to the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which convened from July 7 to 15 under the theme of transformative, equitable, innovative, and coordinated action toward Agenda 2030. Five Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) took center stage: clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, industry and innovation, sustainable cities, and global partnerships.
Senegal is one of 36 countries presenting its review this year, including ten from West and Central Africa. The country shared its platform with Cabo Verde and Italy, highlighting collaborative efforts in sustainable development.
Collaborative insights and inclusive progress
« Following our first Voluntary National Review in 2018 and our second in 2022, we now present our third. This participatory process reflects our commitment to regularly assess progress toward Agenda 2030 », Dièye told delegates. He acknowledged the contributions of government ministries, local authorities, civil society, the private sector, and the United Nations system in shaping the review.
The review incorporated innovative inputs, including alternative reports from civil society, consultations with disability associations, and Senegal’s first-ever comprehensive Local Voluntary Review, led by the city of Pikine. A Voluntary National Review is a self-assessment where countries evaluate progress toward the 17 SDGs, share successes, identify gaps, and exchange lessons with peers. These reviews are presented at the High-Level Political Forum, the UN’s primary platform for tracking Agenda 2030 implementation.
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 and its annual joint review—a tool for dialogue and accountability.
Measurable gains for communities
For a minister overseeing water and sanitation, SDG 6—clean water and sanitation—was a natural focal point. Access to safe drinking water now reaches 97.8% in urban areas and over 96% in rural areas, with rural access 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 striking. Urban sanitation coverage increased from 62.5% to 73.65% in the same period.
The energy sector has also seen dramatic progress. National electricity access grew from 62% in 2015 to 86% in 2024, while renewable energy now accounts for 29.1% of installed capacity, up from just 3% in 2016. The country aims to reach 40% renewable energy in its energy mix by 2030.
Residents of Dakar can also point to two visible symbols of change: the Regional Express Train (TER), which carried 23.1 million passengers in 2025 compared to 2.7 million a decade earlier, and the fully electric Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, which prevents over 53,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually.
The review did not shy away from challenges. With more than half of Senegal’s population now living in cities, the country faces a housing deficit of nearly 500,000 units. The minister also addressed public debt, which stands at 116.1% of GDP. On a positive note, domestic revenue now funds 69.7% of the national budget, up from 54.8% in 2015, and air quality in Dakar has improved, with fine particle levels dropping from 35 to 21.8 micrograms per cubic meter.
Four pillars for accelerated progress by 2030
Looking ahead, the minister outlined four key levers to accelerate development: systemic economic transformation through eight strategic sectors and special economic zones; securing water and sanitation via 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 country category.
Dialogue and accountability on the global stage
During an interactive dialogue, delegates and civil society posed pointed questions. Gambia’s representative praised the deep historical and family ties between the two nations and inquired about Senegal’s efforts to strengthen transparency and combat corruption.
« Transparency, good governance, and anti-corruption are essential to improving public action efficiency, building citizen trust, and fostering an environment conducive to achieving the SDGs », Dièye responded. He highlighted the National Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption Office (OFNAC), the National Financial Intelligence Unit (CENTIF), and the new Financial Judicial Pool. He noted that the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) removed Senegal from its increased monitoring list in October 2024, a status confirmed on June 29, 2026—progress he described as tangible.
Spain asked how the diaspora could contribute further to development. « Migration creates shared benefits », the minister said. « Host countries benefit from migrants’ skills and economic contributions, while countries of origin gain access to remittances, skills transfers, and stronger economic ties. » He emphasized that well-governed migration, based on balanced cooperation among origin, transit, and destination countries, can be a driver of sustainable development—a partnership Senegal aims to deepen with Spain.
The discussion even touched on football, with the Ireland delegation congratulating Senegal on the Teranga Lions’ recent World Cup performance.
Concluding the session, Dièye reaffirmed Senegal’s unwavering commitment to Agenda 2030. « We remain fully engaged in its implementation and reaffirm our determination to continue this path with the international community », he stated.
