By Railways Africa Magazine, Phillippa Dean, in collaboration with Pape Ahmeth Diop
Pape Ahmeth Diop is a railway safety expert and certified trainer. He is the Director of Vigilance Technologie Services (VTS), a company specialising in comprehensive safety solutions across the railway, fire protection, security, and training sectors. Diop served as the first Safety Realisation Organiser (OS-R) in West Africa for a closed-track railway project (S9A3), leading the implementation and management of the Safety Management System for the Dakar TER (Dakar–AIBD) over a seven-year period. His expertise spans safety audits, operational supervision, competency development, and emergency protocol design, placing him at the forefront of railway safety advancement in the region.
Safety at the Centre of Modernisation
Senegal’s railway system is undergoing a profound transformation. The launch of the Train Express Régional (TER) and the rehabilitation of the country’s historic metre-gauge network mark a decisive shift toward modern, efficient, and sustainable rail transport. Central to this transformation must be a renewed focus on safety, not just as a technical necessity but as the very foundation of long-term operational and financial viability.
Commissioned in late 2021, the TER is West Africa’s first electrified railway system. It currently operates along a 36-kilometre corridor connecting Dakar to Diamniadio, with 13 stations and 15 bi-mode trainsets. By 2024, the system had transported more than 21 million passengers, a clear indication of public demand for secure and dependable railway services. The second phase, currently underway, will link the line to Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD) and is expected to enter service in the second half of 2025. A third phase will extend the network into outlying regions, integrating with existing urban transport systems and stimulating the development of new economic hubs.
In parallel, Senegal is reviving its historic Dakar–Bamako line, a legacy infrastructure dating back to the early 20th century. Stretching over 1,200 kilometres, the metre-gauge line has been out of operation since 2018 and requires complete rehabilitation. The first step in this direction is the 460-kilometre Dakar–Tambacounda upgrade, which includes new signalling systems, secured level crossings, and the retraining of operational staff. Plans to reconnect with Mali through the full restoration of the corridor highlight the project’s regional importance, with interoperability, security harmonisation, and cross-border coordination emerging as critical considerations.
Confronting Legacy Risks
The challenges facing Senegal’s railway system are as complex as they are urgent. The existing metre-gauge network suffers from extensive degradation, the absence of modern signalling, unsecured crossings, and a high incidence of track intrusions. Built between 1904 and 1923, the infrastructure is no longer compatible with the standards required for modern, high-performance rail operations.
Environmental risks further compound safety concerns. Heavy seasonal rains have led to embankment erosion and track subsidence. In rural and Sahelian zones, sand encroachment threatens operational integrity, while invasive vegetation often obstructs signals and right-of-way visibility. Corrosion, exacerbated by the region’s tropical climate, accelerates the deterioration of both rolling stock and fixed installations.
These risks are not evenly distributed. The contrast between the modern TER system and the legacy metre-gauge network is striking. While the TER features digital control systems, fenced and monitored tracks, secure level crossings, and CCTV surveillance in both stations and carriages, the older network is largely manual, exposed, and vulnerable to physical and operational threats. This technological and procedural gap poses a serious challenge to efforts to unify the national rail system under a consistent safety framework.
Risk Differentials: Legacy vs Modern Systems
The contrast between the legacy metre-gauge network and the modern TER can be summarised across four critical dimensions:
| Risk Factor | Legacy Network (VM) | TER System |
| Infrastructure Age | 120+ years | New infrastructure |
| Technology | Mechanical systems | Digital, automated systems |
| Maintenance | Corrective, deferred | Preventive, proactive |
| Training | Basic, local | Internationally certified |
Transition and Institutional Reform
Recognising the scale of the challenges, Pape proposes a phased and coordinated strategy for railway safety reform. A key component of this strategy would be the establishment of an independent railway safety authority mandated to develop and enforce a regulatory framework aligned with international standards, including those of the Union Internationale des Chemins de fer (UIC). This authority should oversee functions such as rolling stock and personnel certification, infrastructure auditing, and the traceability of incidents.
A phased implementation approach is recommended to enable the incremental deployment of new technologies, thereby limiting service disruptions and allowing for real-time adjustments. During the transition, legacy systems could operate in parallel with new digital platforms. To mitigate operational risks, contingency protocols would need to be developed to ensure continuity of service in the event of system failure.
Staff training is expected to form a core pillar of this transition. Pape proposes the introduction of programmes to ensure that conductors, signal operators, maintenance technicians, and safety officers are adequately prepared to manage new procedures and technologies. It is further recommended that the government collaborate with the National School for Railway Training and technical universities to deliver certification programmes and ongoing professional development, ideally in partnership with international rail operators.
Technological innovation should also be central to the safety reform agenda. Pape proposes the deployment of ERTMS-compatible signalling, predictive maintenance tools powered by AI and IoT, and centralised digital control systems. These tools would support real-time monitoring of infrastructure and rolling stock, improve coordination between ground systems and train operations, and enable early detection of faults or safety hazards.
Social Engagement and Community Safety
Pape further proposes that safety interventions extend beyond operational systems to include community engagement. Public involvement is considered critical to developing a culture of safety. To this end, public awareness campaigns should be designed and rolled out in local languages and adapted to cultural contexts, educating residents about the risks posed by railway infrastructure and the need to respect operational boundaries.
In areas identified as high risk, the creation of community watch groups could be encouraged to monitor for unauthorised access and vandalism. These groups would serve as intermediaries between the community and railway authorities, providing alerts and supporting enforcement. It is further suggested that level crossings be redesigned in collaboration with municipal stakeholders, accommodating traditional pedestrian and vehicle routes while introducing modern barriers and signalling.
To reinforce these measures, socioeconomic integration of railway projects into local development plans should be prioritised. Opportunities for local employment in maintenance, station services, and safety functions could be reserved for residents of affected areas. A framework for ongoing dialogue with traditional leaders and local authorities is also advised, to ensure community support and to allow for adaptive responses to local needs.
A Regional Vision Anchored in Safety
Senegal’s geographic and economic position gives it a natural role as a regional rail hub. The Atlantic-facing Port of Dakar is a major gateway to the Sahel, with potential rail corridors extending toward Mali, Mauritania, The Gambia, and eventually Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire. However, the success of regional integration will hinge on standardised safety frameworks, harmonised operational procedures, and sustained cooperation through regional bodies such as ECOWAS and UEMOA.
Efforts to achieve interoperability will involve reconciling differences in track gauge, signalling technology, and regulatory oversight. Financing for cross-border projects remains a challenge, as does the need to build political consensus among participating states. Nonetheless, Senegal’s leadership in launching West Africa’s first electrified railway and investing in high-level safety reform positions it as a model for the region.
Securing Senegal’s Railway Future
The evolution of Senegal’s railway system is not just an upgrade in transport infrastructure—it is a structural reimagining of how mobility, safety, and development intersect. With its focus on advanced technology, institutional reform, skills development, and inclusive community engagement, Senegal is laying the foundation for a modern, resilient, and secure railway system that could define the future of rail in West Africa.
Safety is not merely a procedural concern; it is the cornerstone of economic integration, regional cooperation, and national development. The investments being made today will shape how rail serves Senegal for decades to come, not just as a mode of transport, but as a vehicle for opportunity.
