Essentials
- City
- Dakar, Dakar Region, Senegal
- Population
- Approx. 1,150,000 (City), 3,900,000 (Metropolitan Area)
- Internet Speed
- Average 25-50 Mbps; Fiber optic available in Plateau and Almadies reaching 100 Mbps via Orange Senegal
- Currency & Banking
- West African CFA franc (XOF); 1 USD ≈ 605 XOF, 1 EUR = 655.95 XOF (fixed peg)
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; bottled water like Kirène is standard (approx. 500 XOF per 1.5L)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C, D, E, and K sockets (Type C/E are most common)
- SIM Card
- Orange Senegal, Free Senegal, and Expresso. Orange has the best coverage (approx. 10,000 XOF for 20GB data)
- Banking for Expats
- Ecobank, Société Générale Sénégal, and CBAO. Cash is king; Visa is more widely accepted than Mastercard
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, expat-specific Facebook groups ('Dakar Apartments'), and local agencies like SenHouse
- Cashless Friendly
- Limited; cards accepted in high-end hotels/malls, but Wave and Orange Money are the primary digital payment methods
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (Almadies/Ngor) and furnished studios (Pointe E) ranging from 450,000 to 900,000 XOF per month
- Budget Accommodation
- Dakar Youth Hostel (Quakam) or ViaVia Senegal (Yoff) approx. 12,000 - 18,000 XOF per night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Plateau (Downtown/History) or Gorée Island (Tranquility/History)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Almadies (Safety/Nightlife), Ngor (Beach/Vibe), or Pointe E (Central/Modern)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Jokkolabs Dakar (Plateau/Sacré-Cœur) - Daily pass approx. 10,000 XOF
- Best Cafe for Work
- L'Epicerie (Plateau) or Mawa (Almadies) - reliable Wi-Fi and quiet atmosphere
- Networking Events
- Dakar Network (monthly meetups) and events hosted by the CTIC Dakar incubator
- Social Events for Expats
- Dakar Expat Group on Facebook and Internations Dakar monthly mixers
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Heetch and Yango are the most reliable apps; local yellow-and-black taxis (negotiate price)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Senegal Vélos (Ngor) - Bike rentals approx. 10,000 XOF per day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Plage de Ngor or the more secluded Yoff BCEAO beach
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Senegal
- Top International Airline
- Air France, Turkish Airlines, Delta, and Brussels Airlines
- Highway Access
- A1 Autoroute de l'Avenir (Toll road linking Dakar to Blaise Diagne Airport and Thiès)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Gare de Dakar (Plateau) for the TER (Train Express Régional)
- Public Transport Passes
- TER rechargeable cards for the regional train; BBB (Dakar Dem Dikk) for city buses
- Regional Travel
- SEPT-PLACE (seven-seat bush taxis) from Gare Routière Beaux Maraichers to Saint-Louis or Casamance
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hôpital Principal de Dakar (Plateau) or Clinique de la Madeleine
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- YogAsana Dakar (Mermoz) and Shanti Yoga (Plateau)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Olympé Fitness (Almadies) - approx. 45,000 XOF per month
- Laundry Services
- Pressing de l'Ouest (locations throughout the city) and local neighborhood 'lavoirs'
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Yassir, Jumia Food (transitioning brands), and Paps
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Thieboudienne (Fish and Rice) - National dish
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Le Jardin Thaï (Point E) and Veggie Dakar (Mermoz)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pâtisserie Les Ambassades (Almadies) and Gelati Amo
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Marché Sandaga (Plateau) and Marché Tilène
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Jumia Senegal and CoinAfrique for second-hand goods
- Grocery Delivery
- Auchan Senegal app and Casino Mandarine delivery
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Route des Almadies (Le Patio, Secret Beach)
- Local Brewery
- Gazelle and Flag (produced by SOBOA)
- Wine Bars
- Le Jardin aux Mets (Plateau) and Chez Loutcha
- Street Food Stalls
- Accara (black-eyed pea fritters) and Dibi (grilled lamb) at Marché Kermel
- Popular International Cuisine
- Le Mogador (Moroccan) and Farid (Lebanese)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- African Renaissance Monument and Gorée Island
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museum of Black Civilizations (Musée des Civilisations Noires)
- Historical Sites
- Maison des Esclaves (Gorée Island) and IFAN Museum of African Arts
- Religious Sites
- Divine Providence Cathedral and the Mosque of the Divinity (Ouakam)
- Annual Events
- Dak'Art Biennale (Contemporary Art) and Saint-Louis Jazz Festival (nearby)
- Cultural Districts
- Village des Arts (Route de l'Aéroport)
- Theater Venues
- Théâtre National Daniel Sorano
- Local Markets
- Marché HLM (fabrics) and Marché Kermel (architecture/food)
- Music Scene
- Just 4 U (Live music) and Le Thiossane (owned by Youssou N'Dour)
- Street Art
- Medina neighborhood (Open Air Museum/Street Art Within)
- Cooking Classes
- Atelier de Cuisine with local chefs via 'Dakar Vizit'
- Art Galleries
- Galerie Cécile Fakhoury and Raw Material Company
- Historic Buildings
- Palais Présidentiel (Plateau)
- Local Heritage
- Teranga (the Wolof concept of hospitality and sharing)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Lac Rose (Pink Lake) - 1 hour from Dakar
- National Parks Nearby
- Bandia Reserve (Safari) and Iles de la Madeleine National Park
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Corniche Ouest (popular for sunset jogging and exercise)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Phare des Mamelles (Mamelles Lighthouse)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Technopole Dakar and Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary (further north)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Popenguine Beach (70km south of Dakar)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL Dakar and Laposte Senegal
- Tech Repair Services
- Micro-S'en (Mermoz) and independent stalls at Galeries Sahm
- Table Tennis Spots
- Olympic Club (Corniche Ouest)
- Language Classes
- Institut Français (French) and Baobab Center (Wolof lessons)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Library of the Institut Français
- Community Centers
- Kër Thiossane (Multimedia and community arts)
- Gaming Lounges
- Solo E-Sport (Mermoz)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino du Port (Plateau) and Terrou-Bi Casino
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 1,100,000 XOF per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 44,000,000 XOF / $72,500)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 600,000 XOF per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 24,000,000 XOF / $39,500)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 1,000,000 XOF per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 60,000,000 XOF / $99,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 550,000 XOF per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 33,000,000 XOF / $54,500)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 950,000 XOF per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 76,000,000 XOF / $125,500)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 500,000 XOF per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 40,000,000 XOF / $66,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 30% (Standard rate)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10%
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents (183+ days)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 40%
- VAT
- 18%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, regulations exist to prevent tax evasion through foreign entities
- Property Tax
- Contribution Foncière des Propriétés Bâties (CFPB) based on rental value
- Property Transaction Tax
- Registration duties approx. 5% + Notary fees
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa; standard residency applies with no special 0% exclusions