The transport sector accounts for the second largest share of total final energy in Senegal, at 32% in 2018.8 The sector produced 35% of the country’s energy-related emissions in 2019.5 Road transport is responsible for 93% of the sector’s fuel demand and is the largest source of transport emissions.
To align Senegal’s transport sector with 1.5˚C compatible pathways, direct CO₂ emissions would need to fall by at least 14% below 2019 levels, reaching zero between 2047-2050. This could be achieved through rapid electrification and potentially the use of sustainable biofuels, among others. The share of electricity could grow from 0% in 2019 to around 5–21% by 2030 and 33–44% by 2050, whilst the share of biofuels would need to increase from 0% in 2019 to 2–11% by 2030.
While Senegal has articulated various transport sector interventions in its updated NDC, the country lacks quantified targets. The updated NDC includes measures such as increasing sustainable public transport options and promoting hybrid cars. These measures are aligned with the Plan Sénégal Émergent,19 which aims to reduce pollution from the transport sector and its negative impact on economic growth.
1 Republic of Senegal. Contribution déterminée au niveau national du Sénégal. (2020).
2 Republic of Senegal. Plan Sénégal Émergent : Plan d’Actions Prioritaires 2019-2023. (2018).
3 “State, H. of. Message à la Nation du 31 Décembre 201. 11 Preprint at www.presidence.sn/actualites/message-a-la-nation-de-son-excellence-monsieur-le-president-de-la-republique-a-loccasion-du-nouvel-an_1536 (2018).
4 Senelec. Annual Report 2020. (2021).
5 IEA. Senegal Energy Profile. IEA. (2019).
6 UN Climate Change Conference. Global Coal to Clean Power Transition Statement. (2021).
7 Climate Action Tracker. Natural gas in Africa: Why fossil fuels cannot sustainably meet the continent’s growing energy demand. (2022).
8 Ministère du Pétrole et des Énergies. Système d’information énergétique (SIE) du Sénégal. (2019).
9 African Development Bank. National Climate Change Profile: Senegal. (2018).
fn10. Tchanche, B. Energy Supply and Consumption in Senegal. in Sustaining Tomorrow via Innovative Engineering 55–82 (WORLD SCIENTIFIC, 2021). doi:10.1142/9789811228032_0002.
11 IEA. Africa Energy Outlook 2019. IEA. (2019).
12 Dieng, M. Face au défi climatique, comment les syndicats peuvent-ils accompagner les efforts du Sénégal dans sa transition énergétique ? Equal Times (2020).
13 Ly, Ibrahima; Faye, Yvonne; Diop, Abdou; Kane, Khoudia; Diop, Kader; Sarr, Bassirou; Diallo, Aissatou; Ndiaye, Saboury; Sarr, Ousmane Fall; Senghor, Mame Satou; Faye, Antoine; Ndour, Abdou; Niasse, Seynabou Diouf; Diedhiou, Abdou Aziz; Diakhate, Adiara Ka, S. ProGREEN Senegal Renewable Energy Assessment. (2021).
14 Ministère de l’Économie des Finances et du Plan. Plan Sénégal Émergent (PSE) Plan d’Actions Prioritaires (2019-2023). (2018).
15 SENELEC. Rapport annuel 2020. (2020).
16 The World Bank. Access to electricity (% of population) – Senegal. (2022).
17 Republic of Senegal. CONTRIBUTION DÉTERMINÉE AU NIVEAU NATIONAL DU SENEGAL. (2020).
18 MEDD. Programme National de réduction des émissions de gaz à effet de serre à travers l’efficacité énergétique dans le secteur du bâtiment au Sénégal. 22 Preprint at extwprlegs1.fao.org/docs/pdf/sen139684.pdf (2013).
19 MEP. Lettre de politique de développement du Secteur de l’Energie. (2019).”:https://rise.esmap.org/data/files/library/senegal/Documents/Energy Access/Senegal_LPDSE 2019-2023.pdf
20 Tardif, C. Pour améliorer la mobilité urbaine à Dakar : Résumé du Programme Train Express Régional du Sénégal. 2 Preprint at www.afd.fr/fr/wkgeneratepdf_file/7824 (2016).
21 Agence Française de Développement. À DAKAR, LE TRAIN EXPRESS RÉGIONAL EST SUR LES RAILS. Agence Française de Développement 1–3 (2021).
22 Dakar BRT. Le Programme Bus Rapid Transit en résumé. (2020).
Senegalʼs energy mix in the transport sector
petajoule per year
- Natural gas
- Coal
- Oil and e-fuels
- Biofuel
- Biogas
- Biomass
- Hydrogen
- Electricity
- Heat
Senegalʼs transport sector direct CO₂ emissions (of energy demand)
MtCO₂/yr
- Historical emissions
- SSP1 High CDR reliance
- SSP1 Low CDR reliance
- Low energy demand
1.5°C compatible transport sector benchmarks
Direct CO₂ emissions and shares of electricity, biofuels and hydrogen in the transport final energy demand from illustrative 1.5°C pathways for Senegal
Indicator | 2019 | 2030 | 2040 | 2050 | Decarbonised transport sector by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Direct CO₂ emissions MtCO₂/yr | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 to 1 | 2047 to 2050 |
Indicator | 2019 | 2030 | 2040 | 2050 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Share of electricity Percent | 0 | 5 to 21 | 17 to 36 | 33 to 43 |
Share of biofuels Percent | 0 | 2 to 11 | 4 to 59 | 9 to 62 |
Share of hydrogen Percent | 0 | 1 to 12 | 34 | 42 to 55 |