Senegal’s TER Extension to Thiès: Funding Secured for Phase 3

Senegal has signed a protocol agreement to finance the third phase of the Train Express Régional (TER) extension toward Thiès, with an initial 10 million euros mobilized for technical studies. According to reports from Radio Télévision Sénégalaise and NDARINFO, this funding serves as the preliminary step for expanding the rail network beyond the capital region.

Financing and Strategic Objectives for the Thiès Extension

The mobilization of 10 million euros is specifically designated for the studies required to launch Phase 3 of the project. This extension aims to connect Dakar more efficiently to the city of Thiès, reducing travel times and increasing the capacity of the national rail infrastructure, according to NDARINFO.

The project is part of a larger national infrastructure strategy. The Minister of Transport stated, via the Agence de Presse Sénégalaise (APS), that the prolongement toward Thiès represents the first stage of a future rail corridor intended to link Dakar to Tambacounda.

Integration into the Dakar-Tambacounda Corridor

By extending the TER to Thiès, the government intends to establish a foundation for a long-distance rail artery. According to the APS, the eventual corridor to Tambacounda would facilitate the movement of goods and passengers across a wider portion of the country, integrating the interior regions with the coastal economic hub of Dakar.

The current phase focuses on the technical feasibility and planning necessary to ensure the rail line can be scaled from a regional commuter service into a national corridor. The 10 million euro allocation ensures that these preparatory studies are completed before full-scale construction begins on the third phase.

Operational Disruptions on the TER Network

While the extension project moves forward, the existing network faced immediate operational challenges.