Michael Page Africa recruits all over the continent. Our easy to use guides give you the lowdown on living and working in selected countries in West Africa.
Our quick reference guides have vital information on pay, benefits, tax and visas - everything you need to work and live in Senegal:
Working in Senegal
Pay & Benefits
The minimum salary (called SMIG) is 209.10 XOF per hour. A work week is up to 40 hours.
Taxes
A fiscal year starts the first of January and ends the 31st of December. Anyone living and working in Senegal must pay personal income tax. Employers have to deduct a 6% tax on salaries paid to foreigners. A general tax ("Impôt sur le revenu") is also charged based on the income group. For the highest income group, 50% of the total amount is deducted. Employees have their tax deducted directly from their wages. Taxpayers with other income than salaries are required to declare the total amount of their incomes once a year.
Visas
UMOA (West African Monetary Union) and ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) member citizens do not require a work visa. For a short business visit a visa is required. Generally a mission statement from the employer, identity proofs, employer contacts in home country and return tickets and a valid travel insurance proof are required. To stay any longer (up to three months), a permit to stay is required.
General information about the country is available on the Government of Senegal website.
Living in Senegal
Why live in Senegal?
The Senegalese are very proud of their reputation for "teranga" (hospitality). Senegal has one of the most stable governments in Africa, which is always good for commerce.
The capital is Dakar with a population of 1.5 million people. It has beautiful contemporary buildings and historical colonial houses. Dakar is a modern, vibrant city with markets, cafes, a wide range of hotels, exciting nightlife and an outstanding music scene.
Senegal itself has a beautiful coastline, six major game parks and all the outdoor leisure activities you could ask for.
Medical
You should get health insurance when working in Senegal. Medical facilities are quite good, with general and specialist care up to international standards. Pharmacies are well supplied. If you require treatment when in the country, it is best to go to a hospital. If surgery is required, Dakar hospitals have proper medical equipment.
When travelling to Senegal, vaccines against yellow fever and hepatitis A and B are required. You should take anti-malarial drugs and precautions against insect bites.
Bank Accounts
Numerous national and international banks operate in Senegal. Bank cards are widely used as are internet banking services. The banking network has improved significantly over the past few years. It is fairly easy to open an account. A copy of your passport, permit to stay, proof of residency and a phone number are usually required. ATMs are available and Visa and MasterCard are accepted throughout the country.
A list of banks and financial institutions in Senegal is available online. (The list is not exhaustive and subject to change).
Finding a Property
Before renting a place, end-of-contract receipts must be requested from the former tenant to ensure that the final utility bills (e.g. electricity, water, telephone) have been paid.
Accommodation prices have risen significantly. In ten years, there has been a three- to four-fold increase in rents (April 2008). To ease your search, use the services of a real estate agency, many of which are located in Dakar.
Some districts in the western part of Dakar, such as Mermoz, Ouakam, Fann, Ngor, Sacré-Coeur, Amitié are known to be safer. It is advisable to sign a contract, and the inventory of fixtures should be done before making any deposit.
Travel
Domestic flights by Air Senegal link together Dakar, Kedougou, Kolda, Tambacounda, and Ziguinchor. Buses and minibuses operate between all main towns. Train transportation, however, is not well developed.
It is possible to rent a car; it will cost around 419,812 XOF for seven days. Roads are generally in good condition in cities. In the countryside, they are usually not sealed and four-wheel drive is advisable. If you want to drive your own car, you can use an international driver's license.
There are plenty of taxis in Dakar, Rufisque, Pikine, Ngor, Ziguinchor, Kaolack, Touba, Fatick, etc. In Dakar, however, traffic is fairly slow from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. A taxi can cost around 3,000 XOF to go from the airport to the city centre.
Outside the main cities, transportation may be more difficult.
Cost of Living
The currency is the Financial Community franc (XOF). 1 EUR = 655.957 XOF and 1 USD = 446.27 XOF (May 2011). For the currency exchange rate: www.xe.com.
Credit cards are not widely used; paying cash is more convenient.
Here are some prices for common expenditures:
