Confronting crime networks in Dakar

The document examines the increasing visibility of organised crime in Dakar, specifically drug trafficking, counterfeit pharmaceuticals, and cybercrime. It highlights the risk of 'criminal governance' where illicit networks provide services and authority parallel to the state, often aided by the corruption of law enforcement officials. The authors argue that Dakar's cash-intensive economy and real estate market are highly vulnerable to money laundering. To combat this, the brief recommends improving law enforcement capacity, adapting the Penal Code, and enhancing international cooperation, particularly with France and South American countries.

• Since 2013, organised crime has become increasingly visible in Dakar, primarily manifesting as the trafficking of drugs, illicit pharmaceutical products, and cybercrime.
• There is a significant risk of 'criminal governance' in Dakar, where criminal networks establish sources of authority parallel to public institutions, providing employment, social support, and dispute resolution to communities.
• Corruption within law enforcement is a critical issue, with evidence of officers colluding with drug traffickers, which undermines public trust in the rule of law.
• Dakar's economy is highly susceptible to money laundering due to the prevalence of cash transactions in retail, real estate, and public transport, as well as the proliferation of unregulated foreign exchange bureaus since the mid-1990s.
• The real estate sector in Dakar and surrounding towns like Saly-Mbour is identified as a primary vehicle for laundering proceeds from tax evasion, drug trafficking, and grand corruption.
• Crime networks in Dakar have a strong subregional and international dimension, involving nationals from neighbouring countries and the transit of hard drugs from South America, specifically Colombia.
• Women are increasingly involved in drug trafficking and cybercrime in Dakar, often acting as principal actors or accomplices; many implicated women are reported to be unemployed and married to Nigerians.
• Current legal frameworks in Senegal are insufficient, with the Penal Code providing very light penalties for counterfeiting, ranging from two to five years' imprisonment.

APA

Diallo, I., & Ndiaye, M. (2014). Confronting crime networks in Dakar. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PolBrief65.pdf

Chicago

Diallo, Ismaïla, and Mamoudou Ndiaye. Confronting crime networks in Dakar. Institute for Security Studies, 2014. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PolBrief65.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Diallo |first1=Ismaïla |last2=Ndiaye |first2=Mamoudou |title=Confronting crime networks in Dakar |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=October 2014 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PolBrief65.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{diallo2014confronting, author = {Diallo, Ismaïla and Ndiaye, Mamoudou}, title = {{Confronting crime networks in Dakar}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2014}, month = oct, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PolBrief65.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }