SENEGAL: PPP options study for the Dakar Bamako Railway Project

This PPIAF activity supported the Government of Mali and Senegal in their effort of revitalization the Dakar Bamako Railway. The activity supported the two Governments in conducting a legal review and status of possible liabilities related to the previous concession in view of a new concession agreement. This analysis focuses in particular on the legal risks associated with past operations and the main parameters (technical and financial) to be taken into consideration with a view of a concession. Therefore, the produced output focused on four themes as follows:

• The past: exploitation by Transrail,
• The present: operation by Dakar-Bamako Ferroviaire DBF,
• The future: main parameters of a new concession,
• Recommended approach and timeline for the new concession. 

The study recommended a two-phased approach for the new concession. Phase one called “emergency plan”, which highlights the prerequisite to launching the rehabilitation and concession project, and the second phase will focus on the concession and launch of the rehabilitation works. As a result of this TA, the process for Transrail’s liquidation has been officially initiated. The former ad-hoc DBF company was “terminated” and both Governments agreed on the model of concession.