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Dakar’s TER extended to Blaise-Diagne Airport: a time and fluidity gain for travelers Published on 29 September 2026 by Christ-loisele (3 min read)
The extension of the Train Express Régional (TER) to the international Blaise-Diagne Airport, officially launched on September 28, 2026, reduces the journey between Dakar and the airport to 55 minutes. This project, initially planned for the Youth Olympic Games, also aims to ease congestion in Senegal’s capital city.
A flagship project for transportation and the Youth Olympics
The TER now connects Dakar’s train station to the international Blaise-Diagne Airport via Diamniadio, with departures every 24 minutes according to RFI Afrique . The 55-minute journey replaces car trips often delayed by traffic jams, where transport costs could reach 40,000 FCFA for a one-way trip. The TER ticket, however, costs 4,000 FCFA in second class and 7,500 FCFA in first class, as indicated by SenegalDirect .
This extension comes one month before the Dakar Youth Olympic Games (YOG), where the TER will be used by delegations and athletes to travel between the airport and competition sites, notes RFI . The project, initially scheduled for December 2024, faced nearly two years of delays due to audits and financial overruns, with a total estimated cost of 300 billion FCFA (approximately 457 million euros).
What we are inaugurating today is not just a railway infrastructure; it is a tool at the service of the Senegalese people.
Logo: Train express régional (TER) (SNCF, Public domain) A tool to reduce traffic jams and improve mobility
The TER is presented as a key tool to reduce traffic congestion in Dakar, a metropolis known for its road congestion. According to Africaradio , the project is part of former President Macky Sall’s plan to modernize urban transportation. The first section, connecting Dakar to Diamniadio, was inaugurated in December 2021, and construction on the extension began in March 2022 at a cost of 420 million euros.
The project’s financing involves multiple partners, including the Senegalese government, the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the West African Development Bank (BOAD), and French loans. Delays in the launch were attributed to financing and cash flow constraints, as highlighted by Africaradio .
What this changes here
For businesses and administrations in Benin and West Africa, this project could inspire similar solutions to ease congestion in major cities where public transportation is often overcrowded. In Cotonou, for example, extending bus lines or developing a rail network could reduce travel times to the international Cardinal Bernardin Gantin Airport, currently facing similar congestion issues.
The Youth Olympics served as a catalyst for this project in Senegal, and African countries hosting international events could also consider adapted transport infrastructure to facilitate access for participants. Finally, this model of public-private and international partnership could be replicated to fund similar projects in other regional capitals, where the need for sustainable mobility is growing.
Future expansion prospects and challenges
A third phase of extension for the TER to Thiès, located 70 km from Dakar, is already under study, with a perspective of further development toward Mbour, according to Africaradio . This extension could strengthen the region’s economic appeal by improving connections between urban and industrial hubs. A new station is also planned at Sébikotane along the TER-airport route, as mentioned by RFI .
The TER currently transports 90,000 passengers daily, with a target of 130,000 after the extension, demonstrating its potential to become a major mobility corridor in West Africa. Senegalese users, such as Modou cited by RFI , already highlight the concrete benefits of this infrastructure.
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