The European Union has announced €6 million in funding to support preparatory studies for Phase 3 of Senegal’s Regional Express Train (TER) project, aimed at extending the network from Dakar to Thiès. The funding was confirmed during an official visit to Dakar by European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela.
The EU contribution adds to €4 million already committed by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), bringing the total funding mobilised for the next phase of project preparation to €10 million.
The planned extension to Thiès follows earlier phases of the TER programme, which currently connects Dakar with Diamniadio and Blaise Diagne International Airport. The proposed expansion is intended to strengthen regional integration and support economic development by improving connectivity between Dakar and one of Senegal’s major regional centres.
Senegal’s Minister of Land and Air Transport, Yankhoba Diémé, emphasised the government’s intention to maximise the value of investments already made in the TER system as the project advances into its next phase.
The initiative also forms part of the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy, which focuses on supporting sustainable infrastructure development and employment opportunities for young people.
The TER currently carries approximately 80,000 passengers per day. The planned extension is expected to further strengthen Senegal’s position as a regional transport hub in West Africa.
