SNHLM: SNHLM CSE Maristes by SNHLM Contract Signing for Dakar Project

• The Société nationale des habitations à loyer modéré (SNHLM) and the Compagnie sahélienne d’entreprises (CSE) signed a contract on September 24, 2026, for the "Maristes by SNHLM" real estate project in Dakar.
• The project encompasses 16 buildings and 658 apartments on 3.3 hectares, with an estimated cost of 64 billion CFA francs and a 36-month completion timeline.
• Minister Moussa Balla Fofana emphasized the project's role in urban transformation, social stability, and as a showcase for national enterprises.
• SNHLM Director General Abdourahmane Dabo highlighted quality, accelerated property access, and local content as the guiding principles for the development.
• This initiative reflects Senegal's commitment to providing decent, affordable housing and fostering intelligent urban densification.

The period of signing must promptly transition into a phase of concrete action, demanding adherence to contractual deadlines, quality standards, and principles of good governance.

The Société nationale des habitations à loyer modéré (SNHLM) and the Compagnie sahélienne d’entreprises (CSE) officially formalized their collaboration for the "Maristes by SNHLM" real estate project through a contract signing ceremony on Thursday, September 24, 2026. This pivotal Dakar urban development contract was executed at the Noom Hotel in Dakar, marking a significant step forward for housing initiatives in Senegal. The event drew prominent attendees, including Moussa Balla Fofana, the Minister of Urbanism, Territorial Collectivities, and Planning, alongside Abdourahmane Dabo, the Director General of SNHLM, and a representative from CSE. Numerous stakeholders from the building and public works sector, partners, and invited guests were also present.

The ambitious "Maristes by SNHLM" real estate project is planned for a 3.3-hectare site located in the heart of Dakar. The complex is designed to feature 16 buildings, which will collectively house 658 apartments. The total estimated cost for this extensive development is 64 billion CFA francs, with a projected completion timeline of 36 months from the contract signing. This SNHLM CSE Maristes by SNHLM contract signing represents a major investment in Sénégal logement social investissement.

During the ceremony, Minister Moussa Balla Fofana underscored the profound significance of the project, framing it as more than a mere commercial or legal transaction. He articulated that the initiative embodies the culmination of robust political will and signals a renewed ambition to revitalize the iconic Maristes area, transforming it into a benchmark for 21st-century Senegalese urbanism. The Minister emphasized the project's direct alignment with the government's broader policy objectives concerning housing provision and urban transformation.

Fofana further elaborated on the critical social dimension of housing, describing it as the bedrock of family life, a guarantor of social stability, and the fundamental anchor of human dignity. He affirmed the public authorities' clear objective to enable a greater number of citizens to access decent, secure housing within a healthy environment, under financially sustainable conditions for households. The Minister also stressed the imperative for the project to serve as a catalyst for national economic development, advocating for the construction site to become a showcase for local businesses, design firms, artisans, and skilled workers. He urged both contracting parties to maintain continuous, transparent, and constructive dialogue throughout the construction phase, reminding them that the period of signing must promptly transition into a phase of concrete action, demanding adherence to contractual deadlines, quality standards, and principles of good governance.

Abdourahmane Dabo, the Director General of SNHLM, characterized "Maristes by SNHLM" as a new-generation real estate endeavor. He highlighted SNHLM's commitment to both high quality and the integration of local content, aiming to address the pressing demand for housing while simultaneously contributing to the controlled densification of Dakar. The comprehensive complex is designed to incorporate a blend of medium and high-standing residential units, alongside commercial spaces, essential local services, and sustainable urban amenities.

Dabo explained that the project is specifically tailored to meet the urgent need for intelligent urban densification within the city, with the goal of retaining skilled professionals and middle-class families. He also emphasized its potential to generate significant land and economic value for the Senegalese nation. Under his leadership, SNHLM's actions are guided by three core principles: firstly, ensuring quality to eradicate real estate precarity; secondly, accelerating access to property ownership; and thirdly, prioritizing the valorization of local content. SNHLM's overarching aim is to construct a superior living environment.

The "Maristes by SNHLM" real estate project represents a continuation of SNHLM's ongoing efforts to expand access to decent, secure, and affordable housing across Senegal, following similar initiatives in Bambilor, Saint-Louis, and Kaolack. This latest development underscores a robust governmental focus on ensuring contractual compliance, upholding stringent quality standards, and promoting local content within large-scale construction projects. The involvement of key figures like Moussa Balla Fofana urbanisme highlights the strategic importance placed on such public-private partnerships.

This major Sénégal logement social investissement signals that legal professionals advising developers, contractors, or state entities on comparable ventures should anticipate heightened scrutiny regarding adherence to project timelines, local sourcing requirements, and sound governance principles. These elements will be paramount in the drafting of contracts, negotiation processes, and the ultimate execution of projects, reflecting a national commitment to responsible and impactful urban development.

This major public-private real estate project in Senegal signals the government's strong emphasis on contractual compliance, quality standards, and local content in large-scale construction. Lawyers advising developers, contractors, or state entities on similar projects should be prepared for heightened scrutiny on adherence to timelines, local sourcing requirements, and good governance principles, which will be critical for contract drafting, negotiation, and project execution.

Source: Original reporting via La SNHLM mise sur la CSE