Dakar: what to see and whether to move there

What the city lives on and who it suits

Dakar is the capital of Senegal on the Cap-Vert peninsula, the westernmost point of mainland Africa, with a metro area of about 4 million. The city is the business centre of French-speaking West Africa: a port, banks, regional offices of international organisations, telecoms and IT. Since 2024 the country has produced offshore oil and gas.

Dakar suits staff of international organisations and companies, entrepreneurs working with West Africa, surfers and people looking for the ocean and an active cultural life. The business language is French, and Wolof is used daily.

Neighbourhoods: where newcomers settle

• Almadies: an upscale area at the western tip, ocean, restaurants and villas.
• Plateau: the historic and business centre with ministries and banks.
• Mermoz and Fann: residential areas for foreigners and diplomats, near the university.
• Ngor and Ouakam: by the ocean, surf spots, calmer than the centre.

Cost of living

The CFA franc is pegged to the euro, about 585 francs per dollar on 6 October 2026. Local food is cheap, while imports and European-standard housing are expensive.

Practicalities: climate, transport, health

Climate. The dry season runs from November to June and the humid, hot rainy season from July to October, with a refreshing ocean breeze. Transport. A regional express train links the centre with the new city of Diamniadio, there is a bus rapid transit line, and taxi fares are negotiated. The new airport is about 50 km from the centre. Health. Private clinics in Dakar are the region's best; plan malaria protection in advance.

Moving and legal status

• Russian citizens need a visa obtained in advance at a Senegalese embassy;
• work requires a contract with a local employer or international organisation;
• for business you register a company through the investment promotion agency, with documents in French;
• for long stays you obtain a residence card from the police department for foreigners.

We help with the visa, company registration and work documents.

Business and taxes

Senegal belongs to the common business law system of French-speaking Africa and the West African monetary union, so company rules resemble neighbouring countries. VAT is 18%. IT and outsourcing companies serve France and the whole of West Africa, and the new oil and gas fields attract service companies.

Culture and sights

Dakar is the cultural capital of West Africa: live music, artists' studios, and a contemporary art biennale every two years. Twenty minutes away by ferry is Gorée Island, a World Heritage site linked to the history of the slave trade. At weekends residents go to the beaches and to the pink Lake Retba.

Getting there and safety

The new international airport has flights to Paris, Brussels, Lisbon, Casablanca and Istanbul, with no direct flights from Russia. Dakar is considered one of the calmest large cities in the region, but pickpocketing happens at markets and in crowds, and at night it is better to take a taxi.

Where foreigners work

The main employers are regional offices of international organisations and banks, telecoms and IT, the port and logistics, service companies for oil and gas projects, schools and clinics. Fluent French is needed almost everywhere, and English is valued in international bodies.

Communications, money and daily life

Mobile and internet service in Dakar is good, and flats get fibre connections. Small payments and transfers go through mobile wallets, and cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants and supermarkets. Power and water cuts are less frequent than in neighbouring countries, but a generator at home is useful.

Is the city worth considering

The pluses are the ocean, a mild climate most of the year, political stability by regional standards, a French-speaking business environment and an active cultural life. The minuses are expensive housing for foreigners, traffic, utility disruptions and malaria. Dakar works for business with West Africa and life by the ocean.