The Office national de recouvrement des avoirs criminels (ONRAC) in Senegal has successfully recovered over 50 billion Fcfa, equivalent to 85.8 million USD, since its operationalization in 2022. This information was revealed by Minister of Justice, Me Moussa Sarr, during the opening of a workshop focused on enhancing capacities in the seizure, confiscation, and recovery of criminal assets. The composition of this amount, including the share recovered from bank assets, cash, real estate, or movable property, has not been specified.
This figure marks a significant progression compared to the previous balance communicated by the Office. In May 2025, the Director General of ONRAC, Magistrate Mor Ndiaye, reported that over 35 billion Fcfa had been recovered since the beginning of ONRAC's activities. This represents an increase of at least 42.9% in just over a year. The substantial growth in recovered assets underscores the effectiveness of ONRAC's efforts in managing and valorizing seized or confiscated goods and sums in the context of criminal proceedings.
A few days before the Minister of Justice's announcement, ONRAC organized its 20th auction in Dakar on October 1, 2026. On this occasion, Director General Mor Ndiaye indicated that over 6,000 properties had been sold since 2023, generating a cumulative amount of nearly 5 billion Fcfa, excluding bank assets and cash. These sales enable the valorization of assets whose transfer is ordered or authorized by the justice system.
The proceeds from these sales are deposited with the Caisse des dépôts et consignations before being allocated according to the outcome of the proceedings, notably to the State budget or to the compensation of victims. This process highlights ONRAC's critical role not only in recovering criminal assets but also in supporting the financial and judicial systems of Senegal.
During the opening of the workshop, the Minister of Justice emphasized the need to enhance the efficiency of the seizure, confiscation, and recovery of criminal assets. He stressed the importance of initiating patrimonial investigations from the early stages of inquiries to identify and enable the seizure and confiscation of concerned assets while respecting judicial procedures.
Beyond the recovery of criminal assets, ONRAC also contributes to the prevention of economic and financial crime through technical assistance to concerned actors. This dual role positions ONRAC as a pivotal institution in Senegal's strategy to combat financial crimes and promote economic integrity.
The progress made by ONRAC in recovering over 50 billion Fcfa in just four years demonstrates the potential for specialized institutions to significantly impact the fight against financial crime in Africa. As Senegal continues to strengthen its legal and financial frameworks, the role of ONRAC is likely to expand, contributing to a more robust and transparent economy.
Key points
- ONRAC recovers over 50 billion Fcfa in 4 years.
- The recovered assets include a variety of properties and financial instruments.
- ONRAC plays a critical role in preventing economic and financial crime.
