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Expand your global workforce in Senegal

Your guide to the employment landscape, working customs and local labor laws in Senegal.

Capital

Dakar

Currency

West African CFA franc (XOF)

Languages

French, Wolof

GDP per Capita

$1,465.11

Employer Tax

17.6% - 26.4%

Payroll Frequency

Daily, Weekly, Monthly

Talent overview

Senegal’s major economic contributor is the services sector which accounts for 49.9% of their GDP and provides employment to 57% of their workforce. This is due to their reliant telecommunication infrastructure, which attracted many investors to do business with the country. Tourism is another contributing factor for their economic success due to the country’s tropical climate which has attracted many European travelers to visit the country.

Major economic hubs:

Dakar, Touba , Thiès

Skills in demand:

Project engineers, Geologists, Geophysicists, Drilling engineers, Oil Engineers, Maintenance Engineers

Top local universities in Senegal

Uni1 7

Université Cheikh Anta Diop

RANKING

Local: 1

World : 3,032

Uni2 5

Université Gaston Berger

RANKING

Local: 2

World : 6,006

Uni3 7

Université Assane SECK de Ziguinchor

RANKING

Local: 3

World : 8,181

Uni4 6

Université Alioune Diop de Bambey

RANKING

Local: 4

World : 9,712

Uni5 7

École Supérieure de Commerce de Dakar

RANKING

Local: 5

World : 10,111

Top Local Job Boards:

Careers in Africa, NGO Jobs in Africa, CareerJet

Number of LinkedIn users:

900,700

Top Recruitment Agencies:

Dakar Emploi, AMD Corporate, Aizen Recruitment

Where to find talent

Top Local Job Boards:

Number of LinkedIn users:

Top Recruitment Agencies:

Salary Data

Some of the common jobs with average monthly salaries in Senegal are mentioned below;

Job Title Average Monthly Salary (XOF) Average Monthly Salary (USD)
Accountant 222,000 361.69
Programmer / Developer 320,000 521.35
Financial Analyst 445,000 725.01
Graphic Designer 214,000 348.66
Project Manager 391,000 637.03
Sales Manager 551,000 897.71
Customer Service Representative 122,000 198.77

Employ in Senegal

Employing in Senegal

The Senegalese labor code provides guidelines for employers when hiring employees to their business. It also includes requirements that businesses must comply with as a way to protect employees from unjust hiring practices. Below are some items that are vital when employing workers from the country.

Employee Contract

Employment contracts in Senegal may be oral or in writing. However, it is required that a written document will be provided to the workers, explaining the terms of their employment using the local language.

Probation Period

According to the country’s labor code, the probation period for employees must not be longer than 6 months.

Public and Provincial Holidays 2023

Date Name Type
1 Jan New Year Public Holiday
1 Apr Easter Monday Public Holiday
4 Apr Independence Day Public Holiday
10 Apr Korité (Tentative Date) Public Holiday
1 May Labour Day Public Holiday
9 May Ascension Day Public Holiday
20 May Whit Monday Public Holiday
17 Jun Tabaski (Tentative Date) Public Holiday
17 Jul Tamkharit (Tentative Date) Public Holiday
15 Aug Assumption of Mary Public Holiday
24 Aug Grand Magal de Touba Public Holiday
16 Sep Maouloud (Tentative Date) Public Holiday
1 Nov All Saints’ Day Public Holiday
25 Dec Christmas Day Public Holiday

Employee Leaves

Type of Leave Time Period Mandatory
Annual Leave 24 days Yes 
Sick Leave 6 months Yes
Maternity Leave 14 weeks Yes

Payroll in Senegal

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Payroll cycle

Salaries in Senegal may either be paid daily, weekly or monthly, depending on what was stated in the employees’ contract.

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Minimum wage

The Minimum wage for Senegalese employees working in the agriculture sector and other related sectors is CFA 213 per hour. For employees working outside of those sectors, the minimum wage rate is CFA 334 per hour.

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Overtime pay

Any hours worked beyond the stipulated 40 hours per week will be considered as overtime and will be subject for additional compensation. For the first 8 hours of extra work, Senegalese employees will receive 110% of their regulated hourly rate. After the 48th hour, they are entitled to 135% of their hourly rate.

How taxes work

Employer Payroll Tax

Type of Contribution Tax Rate Maximum monthly basis of calculation (XOF)
Social Security – Family Sector 7% 63,000
Social Security – Industrial accident / Occupational disease 1% or 3% or 5% 63,000
Retirement contribution (General employees) 8.4% 432,000
Retirement contribution (Executive employees) 3.6% 1,296,000
Medical Coverage 6%

Employee Payroll Tax

Type of Contribution Tax Rate Maximum monthly basis of calculation (XOF)
Retirement contribution (General employees) 5.6% 432,000
Retirement contribution (Executive employees) 2.4% 1,296,000
Medical Coverage 6%

Employee Income Tax

Annual income (XOF*) Tax rate (%)
0 – 630,000 0
630,001 – 1,500,000 20
1,500,001 – 4,000,000 30
4,000,001 – 8,000,000 35
8,000,001 – 13,500,000 37
13,500,001 – 50,000,000 40
50,000,001 – And over 43

VAT

The VAT rate in Senegal varies based on sector. Below are the rates:

  • Commercial operations – 18%.
  • Financial Activities – 17%
  • Tourism – 10%

Bonus

13th Month Pay

A 13th-month pay is not a requirement in Senegal

Employee Benefits

Senegalese employees are entitled to the following benefits during their employment:

  • Paid Leaves
  • Healthcare and Medical coverage
  • Social Security
  • Retirement/Pension

Employee offboarding

Employment contracts that are fixed-term legally end at the indicated time or when either an employer or employee chooses to cancel it. An indefinite period contract may be terminated by either party by providing a written notice of the decision to end the contract.

The notice period for Senegalese employees may be up to 3 months, depending on the years of service rendered with the company and job position.

Terminated employees are entitled to a severance pay after a year of working with a company. The below mentioned rates are followed based on the years they have continuously worked:

Years of Service Severance Pay Calculation
First 5 25% of the monthly wages
5 to 10 30% of the monthly wages
10 and above 40% of the monthly wages
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Visa and
immigration

Overseas employees will need to secure a work permit to legally work in Senegal. However, only long-term work permits are issued in the country, with a validity of 2 years. Additionally, they must also apply for a residence permit to stay in Senegal.

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