SENEGAL Trends and Developments Contributed by: Aboubacar Fall, AF Legal Law Firm
of the African arbitration ecosystem. In this regard, it is worth noting the existence of African professional organisations aimed at promoting African participation in international arbitration proceedings. These include the African Arbitration Association, the AfricArb Asso - ciation, and the African Arbitration Academy, among others. By way of illustration, the AfricArb Association and the Swiss Arbitration Association jointly organised a webinar in 2025 entitled “Construction and Infra - structure Disputes – Comparative Perspectives from Francophone Africa, France and Switzerland”. At this event, Dr Aboubacar Fall moderated the panel on “the enforcement of arbitral awards in Africa”. The African Arbitration Association also held its 2025 Annual Conference in Cairo, Egypt on the theme “Rethinking Arbitration in a Changing International Landscape: African Challenges and Perspectives”. Dr Fall took part in the panel on “Energy Transition and ESG in African Disputes”. This reflects a growing awareness among African stakeholders of the impor - tance of promoting better representation of African practitioners in international arbitration proceedings, both as arbitrators and as counsel. Moreover, the development of specialised arbitra - tion centres and training institutions on the continent reflects a structural strengthening of local capacity, notably the international arbitration centres such as those of Lagos, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Kigali, Mauri - tius and Cairo, among others. Within this regional dynamic, Senegal occupies a distinctive position thanks to the gradual develop - ment of its arbitral institution. The Dakar Arbitration, Mediation and Conciliation Centre (CAMC-D), estab - lished in 1998, is one of the country’s leading arbitral institutions. It administers arbitration, mediation and conciliation proceedings in accordance with rules largely inspired by international standards. Beyond its institutional role, the CAMC-D plays an important part in spreading arbitration culture, notably through the training of practitioners and raising awareness among economic operators of the benefits of alternative dis - pute resolution.
Similarly, the Dakar Specialized Commercial Court ( Tribunal de Commerce Hors Classe de Dakar , TCH - CD), established under the 2017 reform, contributes to the modernisation of commercial justice in Senegal. While it is not itself an arbitral body, it supports com - mercial arbitration by providing assistance upstream of proceedings ( le juge d ’ appui ) and by acting as the enforcement court during exequatur proceedings for awards ( le juge de l ’ execution ). When combined, these developments demonstrate the growing interest of Senegalese stakeholders in contemporary issues of international arbitration and contribute to the gradual emergence of a genuine national arbitration ecosystem that is increasingly structured, dynamic and aligned with international standards. The 2025 Reform of the Investment Code: a structural shift in the Dispute Resolution Regime One of the major developments in recent years has been the growth of investment arbitration in Senegal. This phenomenon is closely linked to the structural transformation of the Senegalese economy and the intensification of foreign investment in strategic sec - tors. Indeed, Senegal is currently engaged in several major projects, notably in: • oil and gas extraction (Sangomar, Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA), and Yakaar-Teranga); • energy infrastructure (the Taïba Ndiaye wind farm, and the West African Energy (WAE) Power Plant at Cap des Biches); • ports and motorways; and • public–private partnerships (PPPs). These projects involve complex contracts which often contain arbitration clauses, making arbitration the pre - ferred method of dispute resolution. At the international level, Senegal has concluded numerous bilateral investment protection treaties. These instruments strengthen the legal protection afforded to foreign investors and facilitate recourse to international arbitration in the event of a dispute with the state or its public entities.
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