Senegal is taking significant steps to strengthen transparency and combat corruption with two key legislative initiatives currently under review by the Law and Finance Commissions.
On Thursday, members will examine bills establishing the National Office for the Fight against Corruption (OFNAC) and reforming the country’s asset declaration system.
The OFNAC bill proposes an independent administrative authority headquartered in Dakar, with the option of creating regional branches. Comprising twelve members appointed by presidential decree for a single five-year term, the office benefits from statutory independence, with dismissal allowed only in cases of serious misconduct or incapacity.
The office’s mandate is broad, covering the prevention of corruption, investigation and detection of illicit practices, national and international cooperation, and proposing reforms to enhance transparency.
OFNAC will have sweeping powers, including the ability to summon accused individuals, access banking information, and freeze assets administratively.
Regular reports and an annual report to the President are required to ensure accountability. Funding will come from the national budget, contributions from technical and financial partners, and donations or legacies. This new framework replaces legislation from 2012 and 2024, which were judged inadequate for current governance challenges.
The second bill overhauls the asset declaration system as part of the “Senegal 2050” program.
The threshold for mandatory declaration is lowered from one billion to 500 million CFA francs, while the scope of officials required to declare assets expands to include investigating magistrates, heads of courts, directors of civil and military oversight bodies, and leaders in the mining, quarrying, and hydrocarbons sectors.
Officials must submit sworn declarations within three months of assuming or leaving office, detailing bank accounts, shares, movable property exceeding 20 million CFA francs, artworks worth over 50 million CFA francs, domestic and foreign real estate, and financial liabilities.
OFNAC will monitor compliance and progress, referring anomalies to prosecutors or relevant courts. Penalties include salary deductions, dismissal, and prison terms of up to four years alongside fines equivalent to undeclared assets.
Adopted by the Council of Ministers on July 30, these bills form part of a broader four-law package aimed at reinforcing Senegal’s system of transparency and accountability. Their parliamentary review represents a decisive step in implementing the country’s anti-corruption strategy.
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