Senegal: Civil Society Demands ASER AEE Power Audit, Funds Transparency

• A Senegalese civil society collective, formed in January 2026, is demanding transparency and accountability regarding public funds used for a rural electrification project.
• The group's statement, issued on September 18, 2026, calls for judicial action, a public audit of the ASER/AEE Power EPC contract, and renewed electrification efforts.
• The contested contract, signed in February 2024 for approximately 91.833 billion CFA francs, involved an advance payment of nearly 56 million euros (36.7 billion CFA francs) to AEE Power EPC.
• A dispute between AEE Power EPC and AEE Power Sénégal over fund distribution led to a provisional suspension by ARCOP, which was later annulled by the Supreme Court on January 21, 2026.
• The civil society group conducted extensive investigations, including auditions with key figures, but faced non-cooperation from some officials and the regulatory body ARCOP.

The collective's statement, issued on September 18, 2026, in Dakar, specifically calls for the continuation of judicial proceedings, a comprehensive public audit of the contract's execution, and concrete steps to revitalize electrification efforts in the affected communities.

A coalition of Senegalese civil society organizations has intensified its demands for greater transparency regarding the allocation of public funds within a significant rural electrification project. The collective, known as the Groupe de suivi citoyen du dossier ASER/AEE Power, issued a public statement on September 18, 2026, from Dakar, urging accountability for the contract between the Senegalese Rural Electrification Agency (ASER) and AEE Power EPC.

This group, comprising numerous civil society entities and prominent individuals, is advocating for the continuation of ongoing judicial procedures, a thorough public audit of the contract's implementation, and the immediate introduction of measures to restart electrification in the communities impacted by the project. Their engagement with the ASER AEE Power audit Senegal case began in January 2026, driven by a commitment to citizen oversight and responsible management of public resources. The collective emphasizes its dedication to safeguarding the right of rural populations to access electricity while meticulously working to establish the facts surrounding the utilization of the funds earmarked for this initiative.

At the core of the controversy is a contract formally signed in February 2024 between ASER and AEE Power EPC. This agreement, valued at approximately 91.833 billion CFA francs, exclusive of taxes, was intended to bring electricity to several hundred localities, with 928 specific locations detailed within the contract documents. However, the civil society group has highlighted that varying figures appear in other related documents, a discrepancy they believe warrants immediate clarification.

A central financial aspect under scrutiny in the ASER AEE Power EPC contract dispute involves a substantial advance payment. On June 11, 2024, three separate transfers totaling nearly 56 million euros, equivalent to approximately 36.7 billion CFA francs, were made to AEE Power EPC. This sum represents the majority of the advance, and its application is now the subject of widespread public questioning. The Groupe de suivi citoyen is particularly focused on establishing a clear correlation between the funds disbursed, their intended use, and the actual progress of work on the ground. Furthermore, an internal disagreement quickly emerged between AEE Power EPC and AEE Power Sénégal concerning the distribution of this advance and the overall execution of the contract. Public procurement regulations reportedly stipulated a 60/40 split in such arrangements.

The dispute attracted the attention of regulatory bodies, leading to an intervention by the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (ARCOP). In response to the unfolding issues, ARCOP provisionally suspended the execution of the contract. However, this regulatory decision was subsequently challenged and ultimately overturned by the Supreme Court. The Cour Suprême ASER AEE Power ruling, delivered on January 21, 2026, annulled ARCOP's earlier decision, allowing the contract to proceed despite the ongoing concerns.

Further adding to the complexity, a confidential note was reportedly dispatched on August 26, 2024. The contents and recipient of this note have not been publicly disclosed, but its existence underscores the intricate layers of communication and decision-making surrounding this high-profile public works project.

The Groupe de suivi citoyen initiated its monitoring of the ASER AEE Power project in January 2026, driven by principles of citizen vigilance and accountability in the management of public resources. The collective, which includes organizations such as Afrikajom Center, ANAFA, Article 25, Sen-CADDHU, CAEDHU, Forum social sénégalais, Forum du Justiciable, FRAPP, Legs Africa, the Senegalese League for Human Rights, Présence Chrétienne, OJP, and former M23 coordinator Mamadou Mbodj, deliberately waited to make its position public until it had compiled substantial evidence from auditions, documents, and independent investigations.

Their investigative process involved interviewing several individuals with direct or indirect connections to the case. Member of Parliament Thierno Alassane Sall was heard on January 17, 2026, and provided relevant information and documents. The Director General of ASER, Pape Momar Ngom, and his team were received on January 28, 2026, to present the project and associated documentation. Additionally, Baba Diallo, a former ASER director, was interviewed regarding the historical context of the partnership with AEE Power under the previous administration. Despite these efforts, certain requests for hearings remained unanswered, notably those directed to former Minister of Energy, Petroleum and Mines Birame Soulèye Diop, the head of the Spanish company AEE Power, and Seydou Kane. Furthermore, ARCOP declined to meet with the group, as stated in their communiqué. The collective's persistent demands for a public audit of the contract and greater transparency public funds Senegal highlight the ongoing need for scrutiny in large-scale infrastructure projects.

This article signals heightened scrutiny and potential legal challenges in large-scale public procurement projects in Senegal, particularly concerning transparency and the use of public funds. Lawyers advising companies on public contracts or involved in infrastructure development in Senegal should note the increased civil society oversight and the risk of public audits and judicial review, as demonstrated by the ASER/AEE Power case.

Source: Original reporting via SenePlus