According to the National Agency of Statistics and Demography (Ansd), the third quarter of 2026 saw 23,804 new business registrations in Senegal. This represents a 7.3% increase from the previous quarter, when 22,180 registrations were recorded. The Ansd released this data in its quarterly bulletin on new registrations at the National Identification Number for Enterprises (NINEA).
The number of new business registrations in Senegal has also seen a significant year-on-year increase. Compared to the third quarter of 2025, there has been a 17.8% rise in new registrations. The majority of these new businesses are individual enterprises, which account for 71.6% of all registrations during this period.
Following individual enterprises, Groupements d'Intérêt Économique (GIE) make up 7.5% of new registrations, while Sociétés à Responsabilité Limitée (SARL) and Sociétés unipersonnelles à Responsabilité limitée (SUARL) account for 2.8% and 2.4%, respectively. The sectoral analysis of new registrations shows that commerce dominates, with 28.8% of all registrations for legal entities and 70.5% for individual enterprises.
In terms of sectoral distribution, services to businesses, personal and miscellaneous services, transportation and telecommunications, agriculture, livestock and fishing, and construction and public works are also prominent. However, industries such as textiles and food processing have a relatively minor presence, with 1.5% and 1.1% of new registrations, respectively.
Geographically, the region of Dakar continues to lead in terms of new business registrations, accounting for 51.7% of all registrations. The regions of Thiès and Diourbel follow, with 14.4% and 7.3%, respectively. Conversely, regions such as Sédhiou, Kaffrine, and Kédougou have lower proportions of new registrations.
An analysis of individual enterprise registrations by entrepreneur gender reveals a predominance of males, who make up 67.6% of registrations, compared to 32.4% for females. In terms of age distribution, individuals aged 25-34 account for 39.6% of registrations, while those under 25 make up only 13.2%.
The data provides valuable insights into Senegal's business landscape. The Ansd's report highlights trends in entrepreneurship and business development across various sectors and regions. Key points include a significant increase in new business registrations, a dominance of individual enterprises, and a geographic concentration of registrations in Dakar.
Key points
- The number of new business registrations in Senegal increased by 7.3% in the third quarter of 2026 compared to the previous quarter.
- Individual enterprises account for 71.6% of all new business registrations in Senegal during the third quarter of 2026.
- The region of Dakar accounts for 51.7% of all new business registrations in Senegal during the third quarter of 2026.
