How USAID/Senegal Works

The USAID mission in Dakar consults extensively with the Government of Senegal, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the private sector, and other stakeholders in Senegal and the United States to develop an assistance plan. The USAID staff, 90 percent of which is Senegalese, works with counterparts in government, civil society and the private sector to develop projects. USAID calls for competitive offers from American, national and international organizations to carry out the projects. Once the plan is approved, the USAID mission is fully empowered to make all decisions in Senegal -- from project design through completion. This approach speeds the pace of development and reduces bureaucratic bottlenecks. As Dakar-based staff issue contracts and handle the funding, USAID has been successful in moving resources efficiently to the benefit of the Senegalese people. In 2003, for example, USAID disbursed a record 87 percent of available project funds.

Program Assistance

USAID provides assistance to Senegal in two ways:

Bilateral grants to support programs in private sector development; economic growth and agricultural development; population, health and nutrition; natural resource management; democracy and governance; human capacity development; and humanitarian assistance.
A variety of other programs, including food aid (P.L. 480 Title II) managed from USAID headquarters in Washington, D.C. Visit the Agency's web site.

In addition to USAID assistance, the U.S. supports Senegal's growth and development through programs of other U.S. government agencies such as the departments of Treasury and Agriculture. It also contributes to multilateral development institutions such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, and to the many United Nations agencies active in Senegal.

Contracting with USAID/Senegal

USAID-funded activities in Senegal are carried out through contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements with American, Senegalese, and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and for-profits firms. Three primary types of procurement are used with USAID:

Contracts are used when USAID’s principal purpose is to acquire commodities or services, with the expectation that USAID will exercise a substantial degree of day-to-day operational control.
Cooperative agreements are used when the principal purpose of the relationship is the transfer of money, property, services or anything of value to the recipient in order to accomplish the objectives of the USAID program. Under a cooperative agreement, substantial involvement is anticipated between USAID and the recipient during the performance of the proposed activity.
Grants are used when the principal purpose of the relationship is similar to that cited above for cooperative agreements, but USAID’s substantial involvement is not anticipated.

Opportunities for sub-contracts and sub-grants usually exist within each instrument cited above. This is often the most advantageous means for Senegalese and/or small/specialized American organizations to become involved in USAID’s activities. Such relationships are established through direct contact with the prime contractor/grantee.

Contracts are used when USAID’s principal purpose is to acquire commodities or services, with the expectation that USAID will exercise a substantial degree of day-to-day operational control.

Cooperative agreements are used when the principal purpose of the relationship is the transfer of money, property, services or anything of value to the recipient in order to accomplish the objectives of the USAID program. Under a cooperative agreement, substantial involvement is anticipated between USAID and the recipient during the performance of the proposed activity.

Grants are used when the principal purpose of the relationship is similar to that cited above for cooperative agreements, but USAID’s substantial involvement is not anticipated.

For more information on available opportunities, please also visit the Agency's business opportunities page.

Does USAID fund higher education, conferences, training and research in Senegal, other countries, or the United States for Senegalese?

USAID/Senegal has no program or funds available to provide scholarships, grants or loans directly to individuals for education, training, conferences, seminars and research in the Senegal, other countries, or the United States.

Can USAID help me obtain visas to the U.S.?

USAID is a development agency and has no jurisdiction over the application, review, or approval process of obtaining visas or other entry documents to the United States for either American or Senegalese citizens. Please contact the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Dakar directly for information and assistance in this matter.