Senegal is attracting increasing interest from international investors looking for real estate opportunities beyond traditional European markets. Dakar’s economic development, the growing presence of international companies and demand for accommodation are creating new opportunities for investors seeking to diversify their assets.

But when considering an investment from the UK, Europe or elsewhere, the first questions are not only about returns: Can a foreigner buy property in Senegal? What exactly am I buying? How is my money handled? Do I need to travel to Senegal? How can I monitor my investment from abroad? And how will the income be taxed in my country of residence?

These are legitimate questions. Investing in another country means understanding the transaction and, above all, working within a transparent process with reliable local partners.

Can foreigners buy property in Senegal?

Yes, foreigners can invest in real estate in Senegal. As with any international property investment, however, it is essential to understand exactly what you are buying, verify the legal status of the property and have the appropriate professional support throughout the transaction.

In our aparthotel project, each investor acquires a specific apartment within the development, approximately 45 m² with one bedroom.

The legal documentation, purchase conditions, payment schedule and future operation of the aparthotel are presented to the investor before any decision is made.

The principle is simple: from the outset, you should know what you are buying, how much you are investing, how the project will develop and how the property will subsequently be operated.

Buying an apartment in Senegal with transparency

Distance makes transparency particularly important for an international investor. You need to know who is involved in the transaction, how payments are made and how you will be able to monitor the progress of your investment.

In our project, investment payments are made directly to the notary handling the transaction. The investor therefore does not transfer these investment funds to DakarByDays.

Owners also receive detailed quarterly updates on the progress of the project, allowing them to monitor their investment from abroad.

The involvement of the notary, traceability of payments and regular reporting provide investors with greater visibility without requiring them to be physically present in Senegal.

Do I need to travel to Senegal to buy property?

No. You do not need to travel to Senegal to complete the purchase.

Through the appropriate authorisations or powers of attorney, we can assist the investor and carry out the relevant procedures with the notary on their behalf.

Throughout the process, we organise video calls, explain each stage of the transaction and provide the necessary documentation. If an investor prefers a face-to-face meeting, we can also travel to meet them.

There is, however, an important distinction when it comes to a future resale: if the owner later decides to sell the apartment, they will need to travel to Senegal to formalise the sale.

The purchase can therefore be completed remotely, while a future sale will require the owner's presence in Senegal.

Buying is only one part of the investment

When buying an apartment to generate returns, there is another essential question: who will manage it afterwards?

Managing a property in Dakar from London, Paris, Brussels, Geneva, Barcelona or another city means dealing with bookings, rates, guests, cleaning, maintenance, repairs, payments and expenses.

Our project therefore goes beyond simply purchasing an apartment. The property becomes part of a professionally operated aparthotel.

The owner holds a real estate asset while the day-to-day hospitality operation is professionally managed, avoiding the need to run the property individually from abroad.

Dakar: a real estate market with significant growth potential

The aparthotel model is particularly relevant in Dakar, where a significant share of accommodation demand comes from professionals, consultants, business travellers, entrepreneurs and international organisations, often staying in the city for several days or weeks.

The accommodation market is also evolving rapidly. The number of registered furnished residences in the Dakar region increased from 90 establishments in 2022 to 115 in 2023 and 213 in 2024.

This growth does not necessarily mean that the market is saturated. Economic development, international connectivity and business travel continue to create opportunities, particularly for properties capable of meeting international standards.

As a market reference, occupancy levels for accommodation in Dakar are approximately 60% to 70%, although they vary significantly according to location, category, season and product quality.

The opportunity is therefore not simply to add more apartments to the market, but to develop well-located properties with strong standards, services and professional management.

Our aparthotel project in Dakar

Our project comprises 42 one-bedroom apartments of approximately 45 m², with the possibility of connecting units.

The aparthotel will include a reception area, coworking space, meeting rooms, a restaurant/attaya bar, a rooftop swimming pool, gym, shop and other shared spaces.

Each investor acquires a specific apartment within the project, which is subsequently integrated into the professional operating model of the aparthotel.

During the development phase, owners receive detailed quarterly updates, and investment payments are made directly to the notary.

The objective is to combine real estate ownership, transparency, remote investment and professional property management.

How is income from an investment in Senegal taxed?

Another common concern is whether investing in Senegal means paying tax twice on the same income.

Senegal has double taxation agreements with a number of countries, including European countries. These agreements establish mechanisms for determining how international income is taxed and for avoiding or reducing double taxation.

In general terms, investors declare their income according to the tax obligations of their country of residence. Where applicable, taxes paid in Senegal may be taken into account under the relevant tax treaty or domestic legislation.

The exact treatment depends on the investor's country of residence and individual circumstances and should therefore be confirmed with a tax adviser.

Investing in Senegal from abroad can therefore take place within an established and manageable international tax framework.

Investing from abroad does not mean investing blindly

An international investor should be able to understand what they are buying, how much they are investing, how payments are made, how the project is progressing and who will manage the property afterwards.

This is why we support investors from the initial discussions through to the acquisition and subsequent operation of their apartment, providing the documentation and ongoing information required throughout the process.

Frequently asked questions about buying property in Senegal

• Can a foreigner buy an apartment in Senegal? Yes. Foreigners can invest in real estate in Senegal. However, it is important to verify the legal status of the property and obtain appropriate professional support during the acquisition.

• What exactly does the investor buy in our project? The investor acquires a specific apartment within the aparthotel project, which is subsequently integrated into the residence's professional operating model.

• Who receives the investment payments? Payments are made directly to the notary handling the transaction. The investment funds are not paid to DakarByDays.

• Do I need to travel to Senegal to buy? No. The purchase can be completed remotely using the necessary authorisations or powers of attorney.

• What if I want to sell my apartment later? In that case, you will need to travel to Senegal to formalise the sale.

• How can I monitor my investment from abroad? Owners receive detailed quarterly updates on the progress of the project*.

• Who manages the apartment afterwards? The property is professionally operated as part of the aparthotel. Owners therefore do not need to manage bookings, guests, cleaning, maintenance or pricing themselves from abroad.

• Will I pay tax twice? Not necessarily. Double taxation agreements and domestic tax legislation provide mechanisms designed to avoid or reduce double taxation. The precise treatment depends on the investor's country of tax residence.

Are you considering investing in Dakar from abroad?

If you are considering Senegal as a destination for diversifying your real estate portfolio, we can personally present our project and explain what you are acquiring, the investment schedule, payments to the notary, project reporting and the future operating model.

You do not need to travel to Senegal to complete the purchase. We can arrange a video call, answer your questions and provide the complete investment dossier so you can review the project before making a decision.

Request the investment dossier and discover how to invest in Dakar with professional, transparent support.