Living in Dakar: the ultimate expat guide

Everything you need to know for a successful life in Dakar.

Guide updated byVeedushi Bissessur, on 20 July 2021

Dakar is a popular expat destination in Senegal. The country's capital indeed hosts a large expat community: family-friendly, it also offers good school and health care facilities.

Major administrative center, Dakar is home to numerous international institutions, NGOs and diplomatic missions. It then provides job opportunities to expat professionals wishing to settle here to live and work.

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Working in Dakar

Boost your international career. Understand the local labour market, the legal framework, how to adapt your resume, apply to job offers and tips to find a job in Dakar.

Working in Dakar

Dakar is the westernmost city of mainland Africa and has been Senegal's capital since 1960. The wider Dakar metropolitan area is home to an estimated ...

Accommodation in Dakar

Explore real estate or temporary rentals in Dakar. Find out more about renting or buying a house or a flat, real estate agents, leases and rental agreements.

Accommodation in Dakar

As Senegal's thriving capital city, Dakar is one of the most developed places to live in the country, offering many of the amenities that you might ...

Leisure in Dakar

Enjoy you free time while living in Dakar. Discover sports, leisure, cultural activities and entertainment options to make the most of your expat life.

Things to do in Dakar in your free time

Dakar is not just Senegal's capital city, but its economic, cultural and sporting hub. Situated on the Cap-Vert peninsula, it is almost entirely ...

Explore the Senegal expat guide

About Veedushi Bissessur

I hold a French diploma and worked as a journalist in Mauritius for six years. I have over a decade of experience as a bilingual web editor at Expat.com, including five years as an editorial assistant. Before joining the Expat.com team, I worked as a journalist/reporter in several Mauritian newsrooms. My experience of over six years in the Mauritian press gave me the opportunity to meet many prominent figures and cover a wide range of events across various topics.

Join the Dakar expat community

Connect with +3M members

Share your experience and get insights from fellow expats