36open jobs
15organisations hiring
0violent events in 3 months
To prepare a mission or a new post: the essential context, region by region. This briefing does not replace your organisation's security briefing on arrival.
presidential republic
There are frequent demonstrations about political issues in Dakar and other cities.
Demonstrations can turn violent. Protestors sometimes block major roads, including the road between Blaise Diagne International Airport and the city of Dakar.
Monitor local media and ask local contacts about possible upcoming protests. Ahead of big demonstrations, if you’re in Dakar or another major city, consider stocking up on food, water and fuel. Once they have begun, you should:
If you are in doubt about where protests are taking place, or the level of safety of an area, stay at home or in your hotel.
Foreign nationals have been prosecuted for attending protests that have not been approved by the government.
Wolof 39.7%, Pulaar 27.5%, Sereer 16%, Mandinka 4.9%, Jola 4.2%, Soninke 2.4%, other 5.4% (includes Europeans and persons of Lebanese descent) (2019 est.)
French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka, Serer, Soninke
Muslim 97.2% (most adhere to one of the four main Sufi brotherhoods), Christian 2.7% (mostly Roman Catholic) (2019 est.)
Country profiles: The World Factbook (CIA), public domain, last edition (2025-2026).
lower middle-income, services-driven West African economy; key mining, construction, agriculture, and fishing industries; tourism and exports hit hard by COVID-19; large informal economy; developing offshore oil and gas fields; systemic corruption
18.9 MPopulation2025
55.8 %Urban population2025
$1,955GDP per capita2025
6.7 %GDP growth2025
1.5 %Inflation2025
17.9 %Extreme poverty (international line)2021
2.7 %Unemployment2025
50.4 %Adult literacy2023
60.1 %Internet users2024
82.9 %Access to electricity2024
17,259refugees hosted2025
1,538asylum seekers2025
52,006refugees and asylum seekers from the country2025
Indicators: World Bank (CC BY 4.0); refugees and displaced people: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder. Latest available year for each figure.
Senegalese Armed Forces (les Forces Armées Sénégalaises, FAS): Army (l’Armée de Terre, AT), Senegalese National Navy (Marine Séenéegalaise, MNS), Senegalese Air Force (l'Arméee de l'Air du Séenéegal, AAS), National GendarmerieMinistry of Interior: National Police (2025)
Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM)
Informative list, to be complemented by your organisation's security analysis and NGO security forums.
UK government (FCDO) travel advice. Some guidance is aimed at British nationals; always follow your organisation's instructions.
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
Follow FCDO:
Organised violence events recorded by UCDP, July – September 2026.
No organised violence event recorded in the country over this period.
This guide also has safety advice for regions of Senegal.
There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
Terrorist attacks in Senegal cannot be ruled out.
Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.
Several terrorist groups operate in neighbouring Mali, including Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) and Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP). Whilst the regions most affected by terrorist activity are central and northern Mali, JNIM has increasingly conducted attacks in southern and western Mali near to the Senegalese border.
There is a threat of kidnapping in the wider Sahel region, which incorporates Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Chad and Burkina Faso, so take precautions to reduce the risk of kidnap in remote regions and border areas.
British nationals are seen as legitimate targets, including tourists, humanitarian aid workers, journalists and business travellers. If you are kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to protect you or secure your safe release.
The long-standing policy of the British government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners builds the capability of terrorist groups and finances their activities. This can, in turn, increase the risk of further hostage-taking. The Terrorism Act (2000) makes payments to terrorists illegal.
There are frequent demonstrations about political issues in Dakar and other cities.
Demonstrations can turn violent. Protestors sometimes block major roads, including the road between Blaise Diagne International Airport and the city of Dakar.
Monitor local media and ask local contacts about possible upcoming protests. Ahead of big demonstrations, if you’re in Dakar or another major city, consider stocking up on food, water and fuel. Once they have begun, you should:
If you are in doubt about where protests are taking place, or the level of safety of an area, stay at home or in your hotel.
Foreign nationals have been prosecuted for attending protests that have not been approved by the government.
Cases of robbery, burglary and assault have become more common in Dakar, and in some cases, involve the use of weapons. Hotels frequented by foreign nationals have been targeted and robbed at gunpoint. Street crime like pickpocketing and bag-snatching is also on the increase in Dakar. To reduce your personal risk:
avoid carrying large sums of money or valuables
use a hotel safe to store passport and valuables whenever possible
be alert when withdrawing cash from ATMs, and where possible go by pre-arranged transport
be particularly careful after nightfall and avoid walking alone
take care of your belongings when arriving at and leaving hotels
keep a copy of your passport’s photo page and your visa or entry stamp in a separate place
There is a risk of bogus taxi drivers pretending to know you and then overcharging you for the journey from the airport. Pre-arrange transport with your accommodation or an authorised operator. If you’re expecting someone to collect you at the airport, make sure they show you their ID.
Be cautious when changing cash, as there is a risk you will be scammed with fake money. Use ATMs or reputable exchange bureaux.
Senegal is a predominantly Muslim country. Dress and behave modestly in public, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you visit religious areas. In the main tourist areas there is more acceptance of western-style holiday clothing.
Bars and restaurants usually serve alcoholic drinks but drunkenness is considered offensive and penalties for drink-driving are severe.
Kissing as a greeting is acceptable, but kissing romantically in public is not.
Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. During this time, do not drink alcohol or wear revealing clothes in public during Friday prayers between 1pm and 3pm.
Get more advice when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts.
You should also:
There are severe penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs. People accused regularly spend lengthy periods on remand before being tried. The maximum sentence for trafficking is 20 years.
Prison conditions in Senegal are considerably poorer than in UK prisons. There may be problems such as overcrowding, lack of adequate meals, clean drinking water and electricity, and poor sanitation.
Only use reputable exchange bureaux to change your money. Dakar has ATMs that accept foreign bank cards, but there are few ATMs or bank facilities in the rest of the country. Withdrawal limits can be low, and ATMs regularly run out of money, including in Dakar.
Larger or more upmarket establishments that cater for tourists usually accept foreign credit cards. Mobile payment applications, such as Orange Money and Wave, are also widely used around the country.
Same-sex sexual acts are illegal in Senegal. The law is enforced and has led to arrests.
On 30 March 2026, Senegal amended legislation increasing prison sentences for same-sex relations to 5–10 years and criminalise the “promotion, support or funding” of homosexuality, bisexuality and transsexuality.
Same-sex relationships are generally not tolerated in Senegalese society. There is a risk of discrimination or harassment against individuals thought to be part of the LGBT+ community or perceived to be supporting their rights.
Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
If you are planning to drive in Senegal, see information on driving abroad.
You can drive in Senegal with a UK driving licence for up to 6 months. A 1968 international driving permit may be helpful in offering a translation for traffic officials. If you’re staying longer or living in Senegal, you must get a Senegalese driving licence.
Most main roads are of good quality, but minor roads can be in very poor repair. During the rainy season from June to September, torrential rains can cause floods and landslides which damage roads.
Driving standards are not the same as in the UK. Drivers can make sudden movements without signalling and speeding is common. Many taxis and public mini-buses (‘cars rapides’) are not roadworthy by UK standards. Driving after dark is more dangerous because of poorly lit roads and vehicles without lights.
Traffic congestion gets worse in the run-up to and during religious festivals.
If you have an accident, you must contact the police on 17 and wait for them to arrive at the scene. Do not move your car until a police officer gives you permission. In remote areas, go to the nearest police station to report the accident.
This section has safety advice for regions of Senegal. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.
You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.
Take particular care in remote areas of Senegal near the border areas with Mauritania and Mali.
Terrorist groups, including Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), are active in neighbouring Mali, and have carried out deadly attacks close to the border with Senegal. Border areas may be at risk or destabilised as the borders are not tightly controlled. See ‘Terrorism’.
Casamance, the spur of land south of The Gambia, has suffered from decades of low-intensity separatist violence, largely directed at Senegalese security forces. Be on alert for clashes if you are travelling in the region, particularly close to the Gambian and Guinea-Bissauan borders. The risk of clashes is lower in the main tourist areas of the Casamance.
When driving:
Senegalese forces carry out minor operations near the border with The Gambia to combat wood trafficking.
68.9yearsLife expectancy2024
36.5per 1,000 live birthsUnder-5 mortality2024
237per 100,000 live birthsMaternal mortality2023
36.8per 1,000 people at riskMalaria (new cases)2024
0.11per 1,000 peoplePhysicians2023
88 %Basic drinking water access2024
Source: World Health Organization, Disease Outbreak News (links for information).
Before you travel check that:
This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
Call 15 and ask for an ambulance.
Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
At least 8 weeks before your trip check:
See what health risks you’ll face in Senegal including:
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
You’ll find pharmacies which accept UK prescriptions in major cities. The NHS has information on whether you can take your medicine abroad.
Medical facilities in Dakar are reasonable, but are limited in the rest of Senegal. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
FCDO has a list of medical providers in Senegal where some staff will speak English.
Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
Passport Index Data (passportindex.org), MIT licence. Indicative, for a tourist stay; always check with the embassy or consulate. (17 February 2026)
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Senegal’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Senegal set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Embassy of Senegal in the UK.
To enter Senegal, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
You can visit Senegal without a visa for up to 3 months.
You need to show border officials evidence of return or onward travel and proof of your arranged accommodation. If you do not have these, you may be refused entry.
If you want to stay longer than 3 months, you must register with local authorities after you arrive. They will issue you with a Carte d’étranger, which you must carry as identification.
You must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re arriving from a country listed as a transmission risk. This includes if you have transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Babies aged 9 months and under are exempt.
You may need a yellow fever certificate for onward travel to some other countries, due to the risk of yellow fever in Senegal.
For full details about health entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Senegal guide.
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Senegal (in French). You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
Before you arrive, register with the coordination bodies: they share alerts, cluster meetings and useful contacts.
Clusters: health, nutrition, protection, WASH, food security, shelter, education, logistics, emergency telecommunications and CCCM. OCHA publishes their meetings and contacts in each country where they are activated.
Organisations hiring in the country, based on open jobs on the site:
See jobs in SenegalFunding ↗Tenders ↗Train in field security
Violence over the last 3 months, jobs and passages of official advice that mention the region.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
There are frequent demonstrations about political issues in Dakar and other cities.
Demonstrations can turn violent. Protestors sometimes block major roads, including the road between Blaise Diagne International Airport and the city of Dakar.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
This briefing gathers public information to prepare a mission. It does not replace your organisation's security analysis, your security focal point's instructions or the country's authorities.