Sénégal: ASER AEE Power 37 Milliards Enquête Targets Advance Payment

• A rural electrification contract in Senegal, valued at 91.833 billion FCFA between ASER and AEE Power EPC, is under intense scrutiny.
• A key point of contention is an advance payment of approximately 36.7 billion FCFA made to AEE Power EPC in June 2024.
• A dispute between AEE Power EPC and its local partner led to a provisional contract suspension by ARCOP, which was later annulled by the Supreme Court.
• The Groupe de suivi citoyen ASER, a civil society collective, is demanding transparency, accountability, and a thorough judicial investigation into the project's finances and implementation.
• The citizen group seeks verification of work against payments, clarity on material status, and adherence to public procurement rules, while advocating for government protection of state assets and future transparency mechanisms.

Crucially, the Groupe de suivi citoyen ASER has welcomed the initiation of a judicial investigation into the matter.

The rural electrification project in Sénégal, involving the Agence sénégalaise d’électrification rurale (ASER) and AEE Power EPC, a Spanish firm, has become the subject of intense scrutiny following a series of financial and contractual irregularities. The contract, signed in February 2024, was valued at approximately 91.833 billion FCFA before taxes. A central point of contention revolves around an advance payment of nearly 56 million euros, equivalent to about 36.7 billion FCFA, which was reportedly transferred to AEE Power EPC in three separate installments on June 11, 2024. This substantial sum, often referred to in the context of the Sénégal ASER AEE Power 37 milliards enquête, has raised questions about its traceability and utilization.

Further complicating the matter, there appears to be a discrepancy in the project's scope: while the contract specifies the electrification of 928 localities, other documents suggest a higher number of communities were intended to benefit. This inconsistency, alongside the significant advance payment, has fueled concerns among civil society groups. The situation escalated into a dispute between AEE Power EPC and its local partner, AEE Power Sénégal, concerning the distribution of funds and the overall execution of the agreement.

In response to the unfolding issues, the Autorité de Régulation des Marchés Publics (ARCOP) provisionally suspended the contract's execution. However, this measure was subsequently overturned by the Cour suprême on January 21, 2026, adding another layer of complexity to the legal landscape surrounding the project. These developments have prompted a collective of civil society organizations, known as the Groupe de suivi citoyen ASER, to demand greater transparency and accountability regarding the financement électrification rurale Sénégal.

Formed in January 2026, the Groupe de suivi citoyen ASER has positioned itself as a watchdog for public action and resource management. On September 18, 2026, the collective publicly called for full disclosure regarding the project's funding and implementation. Their mandate includes documenting facts, monitoring the use of public funds, and advocating for rural populations' access to electricity. This group's efforts are central to the ongoing instruction judiciaire ASER AEE Power.

As part of their investigative work, the citizen group has conducted auditions with key figures involved in the project. These included Deputy Thierno Alassane Sall, former ASER Director General Jean Michel Sène, and his team, and former ASER director Baba Diallo. However, the collective has reported difficulties in obtaining information from all relevant parties, stating they have not been able to meet with Seydou Kane, former representative of the Spanish company, nor the leadership of ARCOP. A request for an audience with the former Minister of Energy, Petroleum, and Mines, Birame Soulèye Diop, also reportedly went unanswered.

The Groupe de suivi citoyen ASER has articulated several specific demands. They seek to verify that the sums disbursed correspond accurately to the work completed and require explanations regarding the location and condition of ordered materials, the guarantees associated with the contract, and the future of the Senegalese partner. Furthermore, they emphasize the critical importance of adhering to public procurement regulations, a key aspect of the commande publique ASER Sénégal.

The legal framework surrounding the ASER-AEE Power contract has seen significant activity, underscoring the complexities of large-scale public-private partnerships in Senegal. The provisional ARCOP AEE Power suspension of the contract, intended to address concerns, was a notable regulatory intervention. However, this decision was later annulled by the Cour suprême AEE Power décision on January 21, 2026, highlighting potential jurisdictional or procedural nuances in such cases. This legal back-and-forth has added to the uncertainty surrounding the project's future.

Crucially, the Groupe de suivi citoyen ASER has welcomed the initiation of a judicial investigation into the matter. They express hope that this instruction judiciaire ASER AEE Power will lead to a clear establishment of responsibilities, ensuring due process and the enforcement of legal judgments. This ongoing inquiry is expected to delve into the specifics of the 37 milliards advance payment and other financial aspects of the Sénégal ASER AEE Power agreement.

Looking ahead, several options are being considered for the continuation of the contract. These include a resumption under stringent conditions, a complete termination of the agreement, or the initiation of a new competitive bidding process, which would be informed by the findings of audits and judicial decisions. These potential paths underscore the need for robust legal and financial oversight in such significant public works.

The unfolding events surrounding the ASER-AEE Power project carry significant implications for public procurement and infrastructure development in Senegal. The Groupe de suivi citoyen ASER is not only focused on the immediate resolution of this specific case but also on establishing precedents for greater accountability in the future. They have urged the government to take proactive measures to safeguard available materials, preserve remaining guarantees, and protect the rights of both the State and the beneficiary communities.

Beyond the immediate contractual issues, the collective's demands extend to broader transparency and governance reforms. They are advocating for the public release of the project's recovery plan, including any potential additional costs to the State. Furthermore, they call for the implementation of robust citizen and parliamentary control mechanisms to ensure ongoing oversight of such large-scale initiatives. This push for transparency aims to prevent future irregularities and build public trust in the management of national resources, particularly in vital sectors like rural electrification. The entire Sénégal ASER AEE Power 37 milliards enquête serves as a critical test case for the nation's commitment to good governance and responsible public spending.

Lawyers advising on public procurement or project finance in Senegal should closely monitor the ongoing judicial investigation into the ASER-AEE Power contract, as its outcome could influence future transparency requirements and dispute resolution mechanisms for large infrastructure projects. This case also underscores the importance of robust due diligence and clear contractual terms in public-private partnerships to mitigate risks of financial irregularities and partner disputes.

Source: Original reporting via Senegalese media