With the commencement of gas and oil production expected in 2024, Senegal expects a GDP growth of 9.2%, averaging 5.8% annually from 2025 to 2028. While all sectors of the economy will feel the impact, certain sectors vital for hydrocarbon development are receiving priority from the government. In line with its Emerging Plan for 2035, Senegal aims to transform into an integrated and competitive logistics hub. While initiatives to revitalize the railway network and construct regional highways are already underway, it’s the future Port of Ndayane that commands attention from investors. 

This venture, slated to mobilize $827 million in its initial phase, marks Senegal‘s largest private investment to date. Spearheaded solely by Dubai Port World (DP World), the financing for the first phase encompasses the construction of a 300-hectare container terminal, a 5-km shipping channel and an 840-meter quay boasting an 18-meter deep draft. Subsequently, a second phase, worth an estimated $290 million, is planned and will expand the multifunctional Port of Ndayane to include a second 410-meter quay, a cargo terminal, a fishing port and a ship repair terminal. The port is positioned to emerge as the largest deep-water port in West Africa. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, CEO of DP World, envisions transforming the Port of Ndayane into an African counterpart of Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port, the premier deepwater port in the Persian Gulf.

The Ndayane Port represents the first major port development since Senegal’s independence. With Dakar Port serving as the sole operating port in the country, congestion has become a pressing issue for the shipping sector. The growing cargo volume has intensified pressure on Dakar Port, where over 1,000 trucks enter the terminal daily. Expanding port infrastructure will not only alleviate congestion but also propel Senegal’s development for years to come, addressing regional disparities with increased capacity.

Located on the Petite Côte, the port is 50 km from Dakar, 50 km from the Sandiara economic zone and in proximity to the Sangomar oil field. Construction, which began in 2022, is expected to be completed by 2026, with commissioning due for 2027 when oil production is projected to peak at 100,000 bpd.

DP World also plans to establish a special economic zone to bolster the country’s economic development. The new port is projected to facilitate additional trade equivalent to 3% of the country’s GDP. This is anticipated to contribute to a cumulative increase of $15 billion in national trade by 2035, with the port projected to handle 18% of GDP and 36% of Senegal’s trade by that year. Trade facilitated by the port is expected to support 2.3 million jobs in Senegal, with 22,000 of those jobs created through additional trade at Ndayane.

The agricultural and fishing sectors, crucial for both local sustenance and export to international markets, stand to gain the most. Petrosen, Senegal’s national oil company, plans to construct a $1.45 billion urea fertilizer production unit at Ndayane with a capacity of 1.2 million tonnes per year. Scheduled to commence operations concurrently with the port in 2027, this facility aims to reduce fertilizer imports, narrow the trade deficit and enhance agricultural output.