Buying property à Dakar with a dedicated expert

The following purchase price ranges are based on data from The Africanvestor (November 2025) and Expat.com Dakar Guide. All prices are indicative and vary by neighbourhood, condition and specification.

• Studio / 1-bedroom apartment: Entry-level units in suburban areas from approximately 20,000,000 to 40,000,000 XOF. Mid-range units in established districts from 50,000,000 to 80,000,000 XOF.
• 2-bedroom apartment: Entry-level in areas such as Cité Mixta from approximately 40,000,000 XOF. Mid-range in Mermoz or Fann: 100,000,000 to 170,000,000 XOF. High-standing in Almadies: 160,000,000 to 200,000,000 XOF.
• 3-bedroom apartment: Family units in Mermoz: approximately 150,000,000 to 170,000,000 XOF. Premium units in Almadies or Ngor: 200,000,000 to 350,000,000 XOF.
• Villa / standalone house: Average price per square metre for houses and villas is around 1,250,000 XOF/m² (approximately 1,900 USD/m²) across the city (source: Expat.com Dakar Guide). Luxury villas in Mamelles, Point-E or with sea views: 500,000,000 to 1,500,000,000 XOF (source: The Africanvestor, 2025).
• Land plot (terrain nu): Prices vary widely by location and title type. Only plots with a full titre foncier offer maximum legal security; plots held under a permis d'occuper carry higher legal risk and are priced accordingly.

Apartments represent approximately 55% of Dakar's residential listings; houses and villas account for around 35% (source: The Africanvestor, late 2025).

When purchasing property in Dakar, buyers should budget for acquisition costs that go well beyond the listed sale price. According to data compiled from the Senegal Services government portal and cross-referenced with market sources (The Africanvestor, late 2025), total transaction costs typically add 10% to 20% on top of the purchase price.

• Registration duty (droits d'enregistrement): 5% of the declared sale price, paid to the Direction des Impôts et Domaines (DGID) via the notary (source: KEUR CITY / Senegalese tax code).
• Notary fees: approximately 2% to 5% of the property value, covering deed preparation, tax settlement and land registry filing (source: SamaGalle Blog, 2024).
• Land registry fee (conservation foncière): a small additional charge for registering the transfer in the Livre Foncier.
• Real estate agent commission: typically 5% to 10% of the sale price, usually borne by the seller but sometimes factored into the asking price (source: Immoplus Sablux).
• Annual property tax (Contribution Foncière des Propriétés Bâties – CFPB): based on the estimated rental value of the property; generally equivalent to 0.3% to 0.8% of market value per year (source: The Africanvestor, 2025).
• Capital gains tax on resale: a flat 10% on the taxable gain for individual sellers, as per Article 556 of the Senegalese General Tax Code (CGI); the Finance Act 2024/2025 extended its scope to indirect transfers (source: Expat.com Dakar Guide).

Buyers should request a full cost breakdown from their notary before signing any preliminary agreement.

Thorough due diligence is essential before committing to a property purchase in Dakar. Land disputes are common in Senegal, and title irregularities can have lasting legal consequences.

• Verify the title type: Senegalese law recognises three main land statuses: the titre foncier (full freehold title — the most secure), the bail emphytéotique (long-term lease of 18 to 99 years on state land) and the permis d'occuper (temporary occupation permit — no ownership rights). Only a titre foncier provides definitive, unassailable ownership. Buyers should insist on a property with a full titre foncier wherever possible.
• Check the land registry: Request a certified extract from the Livre Foncier (land registry) dated within the last 30 days. Verify that the seller's name, property boundaries and registration number match the original title deed exactly (source: The Africanvestor, 2025).
• Obtain a certificate of no mortgage (certificat de non-hypothèque): Confirms that the property is free of mortgages, liens and encumbrances at the Conservation Foncière.
• Review the ownership history: Examine the complete chain of title to identify any gaps, suspicious transfers or unresolved inheritance disputes.
• Confirm fiscal compliance: Verify that all property taxes have been paid by examining tax receipts for the past three years. Outstanding fiscal debts can transfer to the buyer.
• Technical inspection: Commission an independent structural survey, particularly for older properties or those requiring renovation. Assess the condition of electrical, plumbing and roofing systems. Obtain renovation cost estimates before finalising the purchase price.
• Engage a qualified notary or lawyer: The notary is legally required for all authenticated transactions and checks legality of title. For complex cases or foreign buyers, an independent Senegalese lawyer provides an additional layer of protection (source: Real estate laws in Senegal: Buying Guide).

Negotiating a property purchase in Dakar follows specific market conventions that buyers should understand before making an offer.

• Expect a discount from the asking price: Listing prices in Dakar are typically negotiable. According to The Africanvestor (late 2025), final sale prices come in on average about 8% below the asking price. In a market where real estate services turnover declined through 2025, sellers are generally more open to price reductions.
• Research comparable sales: Before making an offer, gather data on recent transaction prices for similar properties in the same neighbourhood. Price per square metre varies significantly by district (from approximately 500,000 XOF/m² in Pikine to over 5,500,000 XOF/m² in Almadies), so neighbourhood-specific benchmarks are essential.
• Identify the seller's motivation: Sellers who have held the property for a long time, are relocating or need liquidity are typically more flexible. A local agent or notary can provide context on the seller's situation.
• Make a written, reasoned offer: Present your offer in writing with supporting market data. Avoid verbal-only negotiations, which are harder to document and enforce.
• Use the preliminary agreement as a negotiation tool: The promesse de vente locks in the agreed price and conditions. Ensure all negotiated terms — price, included fixtures, completion timeline, conditions precedent — are explicitly stated in this document before signing.
• Engage a professional: A licensed real estate agent or notary familiar with the local market can negotiate on your behalf and help avoid overpaying in a market where price transparency is limited.
• Avoid rushed decisions: Artificial urgency is a common sales tactic. A well-priced property will remain available after a proper inspection and legal review.