The situation at Senelec, Senegal's national electricity company, has taken a turn for the worse as the Syndicat Unique des Travailleurs de Senelec (SUTELEC) has expressed strong opposition to a new contract with Akilee, a company the union claims poses a threat to the strategic interests of Senelec. In a statement released on November 3, 2026, SUTELEC, representing the Convergence Syndicale des Travailleurs de Senelec (CSTS), highlighted its concerns over two main issues: the validation of the protocol with Akilee and the non-payment of the Prime sur le Revenu Annuel Bénéficiaire (PRAB) for the 2025 financial year.
According to SUTELEC, the decision to sign a new protocol with Akilee was made despite warnings from the company's lawyers, who advised against it. The union points out that the President of the Conseil d'administration (PCA) was aware of the negative legal opinion but still chose to proceed with the contract, which has raised concerns about the company's sovereignty and potential financial losses. SUTELEC also recalled that the Office National de la Fraude et de la Corruption (OFNAC) had identified several infractions, including embezzlement of public funds and tax fraud, related to Akilee.
The union further argues that Senelec has the internal expertise to deploy a solution without needing to externalize services to Akilee. An atelier technique held in September 2026 by internal experts concluded that Senelec could implement an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) solution within six months. SUTELEC views the contract with Akilee as unjustified and a threat to the technological sovereignty of Senelec.
The second point of contention is the non-payment of the PRAB for the 2025 financial year, despite Senelec reporting a certified profit of 36 billion FCFA. The union recalls that in July 2026, the Minister of Energy and Petroleum had committed to paying the PRAB, but this commitment has not been fulfilled. SUTELEC described the Minister's recent statement as an "offense" against the company's employees, questioning their performance and sacrifices.
In response to these grievances, SUTELEC has made three key demands: the immediate halt of the Senelec-Akilee contract pending an independent evaluation, the immediate payment of the PRAB for 2025, and the unblocking of the Car Plan, which is currently suspended. The union has called on all workers to be ready for future actions and has appealed to various stakeholders, including consumer associations, civil society, and the National Assembly, to address what it sees as a direct threat to a national strategic asset.
The situation at Senelec reflects broader concerns about governance and the management of strategic assets in Senegal. The contract with Akilee and the non-payment of PRAB have sparked debates about accountability and transparency in the management of the country's resources. As tensions rise, stakeholders are watching closely to see how the situation unfolds and its potential impact on the energy sector and the economy at large.
The developments at Senelec also highlight the critical role of unions in advocating for workers' rights and holding management accountable. SUTELEC's proactive stance in addressing these issues demonstrates the union's commitment to protecting its members' interests and ensuring that the company operates in a manner that benefits both employees and the broader public.
Key points
- SUTELEC opposes the Akilee contract due to concerns over national sovereignty and potential financial losses.
- The union demands the immediate payment of the PRAB for 2025, citing Senelec's certified profit of 36 billion FCFA.
- SUTELEC has called for an independent evaluation of the Akilee contract and the involvement of various stakeholders to address the situation.
