Real estate in Dakar

Land tenure in Dakar: three legal regimes

In Senegal, property falls into three categories. The national domain is governed by Law No. 64-46 of 17 June 1964 relating to the national domain. It comprises unregistered land that has not been transcribed at the Mortgage Registry; only the State may register it. The State domain is governed by Law No. 76-66 of 2 July 1976 establishing the Senegalese State Domain Code, divided into public domain (inalienable) and private domain (alienable). The private domain of individuals is governed by Senegalese draft law No. 12/2010 dated March 2010 on the land property regime. This text subjects registered property to Senegalese legislation and makes registration mandatory for the validity of agreements that create or transfer real property rights.

Any sale must therefore be executed as a notarial deed and registered with the Land Property and Rights Conservation Office. Without registration, the transfer is not enforceable against third parties. The notary is the legal cornerstone of any serious transaction.

Districts with new developments on Imonga

Imonga lists new developments across Dakar, from the peninsula to urban extensions. Projects under construction or pre-selling are located in Diamniadio, Plateau, Mermoz, Point E, Mamelles, Almadies, Sacré-Cœur, Baobab and Ngor-Almadies. Diamniadio is a structuring hub of the Plan Sénégal Émergent, roughly thirty kilometres east of central Dakar, designed to decongest the capital and create a city of international scale.

Plateau remains the historic administrative and business core. Mermoz, Point E and Mamelles host various residential developments. Almadies and Ngor benefit from a coastal location. Always check the local zoning plan for building rights, land use and utility access before committing.

Construction costs and trends

According to the Construction Cost Index (ICC) published by ANSD, the cost of building new housing rose by 1.4 % in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the previous quarter. The increase was driven by base materials (+2.0 %) and labour (+1.3 %). In Dakar, ordinary cement averages 70,624 FCFA per tonne and iron-10 (100 kg) averages 50,240 FCFA. These fluctuations directly affect sale prices of new developments and individual construction budgets.

Due diligence before signing

• Check the land title. Demand to see the original title deed and its entry in the Land Registry. Senegalese draft law No. 12/2010 makes registration a condition of enforceability.
• Use a notary. A notary is mandatory for transactions involving registered real property rights. The notary drafts the authentic deed and handles registration at the Land Registry.
• Beware of national domain land. Selling national domain land is prohibited and constitutes a criminal offence. Only the State can register it. Do not accept promises of sale on such plots.
• Ask for a written fee quote. Notary fees and registration duties are set by decree in Senegal. The exact amount depends on the deed value; the notary will provide a written estimate on request.
• Leases: read the contract. Check duration, deposit, rent advances and charges. Inspect the property to verify electrical and plumbing installations.

On Imonga

Imonga lists new developments in Dakar ranging from studios to apartments of various sizes and villas. The platform lets you browse developer profiles, compare locations and contact listed professionals directly. For background on land tenure, read our guide to land status. You can also view sample apartments for rent, land for sale and houses for sale in neighbouring markets to benchmark formats and prices.