AFD Climate and Urban Development Programming Reference — Senegal (seed)

Purpose
Sector and country reference for AFD proposal drafting. Country focus: Senegal. Not an official document.

AFD programming context — Senegal
Senegal is a priority country for AFD with a large bilateral portfolio.
Active sectors:
- Urban development and secondary cities (Programme d'Appui aux Communes et Agglomérations).
- Climate adaptation in agriculture and water resources.
- Renewable energy transition.
- Health system strengthening.
- Education and vocational training.

Climate programming considerations
Senegal faces significant climate risks:
- Coastal erosion and sea-level rise threatening Dakar and secondary coastal cities.
- Erratic rainfall affecting Sahelian agriculture (groundnut and millet belts).
- Groundwater depletion in northern regions.
- Increasing frequency of urban flooding.

AFD-aligned climate adaptation approaches in Senegal:
- Nature-based solutions for coastal protection.
- Improved early warning systems for floods and drought.
- Climate-smart agriculture (drought-resistant varieties, water harvesting).
- Urban heat island mitigation through green infrastructure.

Urban development considerations
Senegal's urbanisation rate is approximately 48% and growing.
Key urban challenges:
- Informal settlements (bidonvilles) in Dakar suburbs and secondary cities.
- Inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure in peri-urban areas.
- Weak municipal financial management and revenue mobilisation.
- Strained solid waste management systems.

AFD urban programming approach:
- Strengthen municipal capacities (AAMC: Appui à l'Amélioration de la Maîtrise d'ouvrage Communale).
- Finance basic services infrastructure through municipal loans with technical assistance.
- Support participatory planning processes including women and youth.

Gender considerations — Senegal
- Women represent the majority of subsistence farmers (70%+ of food production).
- Women face disproportionate burden of water and fuel collection.
- Female-headed households are more exposed to climate and urban shocks.
- AFD gender marker of "significant" or "principal" is appropriate for agriculture and WASH programmes.

French expertise — Senegal context
- IRD (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement): active in climate, health, and urban research.
- CIRAD: agricultural research and climate-smart farming.
- Expertise France: governance, health, and public sector technical cooperation.
- French embassy co-financing opportunities for cultural and education projects.

VfM considerations
- AFD programmes use concessional loans alongside grants; cost of finance is competitive.
- Bundling technical assistance with investment financing improves value for development.
- Leveraging municipal revenue mobilisation increases long-term sustainability.
