Building a house in Senegal from abroad: step by step

1. Define the project and the budget

Before looking for land or a builder, write down what you want: single-storey or two-storey house, number of bedrooms, pool or not, intended use (home for your return, family house, rental). This document will help you compare plots, brief the architect and request quotes.

Think in CFA francs (FCFA): that is the currency you will pay the land, the paperwork and the building work in. The rate against the euro is fixed (€1 = 655.957 FCFA), which makes calculations easy from the eurozone.

As a rule, it is wise to keep a reserve for the unexpected and not to commit your whole budget at the start: notary, registration, surveyor and permit fees come on top of the price of the land and the work.

2. Secure the land

This is the most important step, and the one where unpleasant surprises are most common. In Senegal, only a land title (titre foncier) gives full and final ownership; a lease or a council allocation (délibération) gives a right of use or occupation, with different rules.

Before paying anything, have the land's status checked by a notary: statement of registered rights at the land registry (Conservation foncière), the seller's identity, no mortgage or dispute, the boundaries of the plot (survey). If you cannot attend the signing, ask the notary about power of attorney.

Our guide “Land in Senegal: land title, lease, council allocation” explains these checks in detail.

3. Have the plans drawn up

Plans are needed both to obtain the building permit and to get comparable quotes. The permit application usually includes architectural drawings (location plan, site plan, floor plans, sections, elevations) and a plan of the wastewater system.

Plans are usually drawn up by an architect. Find out when an architect is mandatory and check that they are registered with the professional body. Think about the climate from the design stage: natural ventilation, sun protection, materials suited to salty air if you are near the coast.

4. Apply for the building permit

The building permit (autorisation de construire) is issued by the mayor of the municipality where the land is located. In part of the country, the application can be made online via the TeleDAC platform. Nobody can guarantee that it will be granted or how long it will take: do not plan your schedule around a promised date.

Our guide “Building permits in Senegal” lists the documents usually required.

5. Choose your builder

From a distance, trust is built on things you can verify. Before signing, ask for:

• projects you can see (photos, locations, client contacts if possible);
• the company's identity: name, address, trade register (RCCM) number, and who your contact will be;
• a detailed, itemised quote based on your plans;
• the company's insurance certificate;
• the payment schedule, ideally linked to the actual progress of the work;
• how you will be kept informed of progress.

6. Follow the work from a distance

WhatsApp has become the natural tool for remote follow-up: photos, videos, voice messages, conversations with the site manager. Agree from the start on how often you will get updates and which key stages to document (foundations, walls, slab, roof, services, finishing).

If you can, appoint a trusted person locally who can visit the site, and plan one or two trips at key moments. Keep every message, quote, invoice and receipt: you will need them until the end of the project.

Paying from abroad: keep a record of everything

Payments are often the most sensitive part of a project run from a distance. As a rule, it is safer to pay the builder directly, against invoices or payment requests linked to progress, rather than handing large sums to an intermediary.

Keep proof of every transfer and always ask for a receipt. Before each new payment, check (dated photos, a visit by someone you trust) that the previous stage has actually been completed.

The most common mistakes

• Buying land without checks by a notary, on the word of a seller or a relative alone.
• Starting work before the building permit has been granted.
• Handing the building money to someone without a contract or receipts.
• Changing the plans along the way without putting it in writing or assessing the cost.
• Underestimating finishing work and connections (water, electricity, wastewater), which weigh heavily on the final budget.

7. Handover and afterwards

At the end of the project, the handover (réception des travaux) is when you inspect the building and list any snags to be fixed. Do it yourself or through a trusted person, and do not rush it.

Senegal's Construction Code sets out builders' liabilities after handover. Find out what applies to your contract and keep all the project documents safe.