Guide
Buying land in Senegal: land title, lease, deliberation
6 min readUpdated on October 26, 2026
In Senegal, two plots that look identical can offer very different guarantees depending on the document that comes with them. Before paying, you need to know what you are really buying: full ownership or a mere right to occupy.
The documents and what they are worth
- The land title (titre foncier): registered in the land register, it is the safest proof of ownership. It allows you to sell, build, pass on the land and is accepted as collateral by banks.
- The lease (including the long-term "bail emphytéotique"): a long-term right of use on land that remains State property. Under certain conditions, it can become a land title once the land has been developed.
- The municipal deliberation (délibération): it grants a right to occupy or use land from the national domain. It is not a property title, and this right is easier to challenge.
- The occupancy permit (permis d’occuper): an authorization to occupy, also distinct from ownership.
Essential checks
- Ask for a copy of the title (or deed) and have its status checked at the land registry (Conservation foncière, Domaines services): registered owner, mortgages, ongoing disputes.
- Check that the seller is indeed the person registered as owner, with an ID.
- Hire a licensed surveyor to mark out the plot and confirm it matches the plan and the cadastral number (NICAD).
- Request an urban planning certificate (certificat d’urbanisme) to know what you will be allowed to build.
- Use a notary for the deed of sale, then have the transfer registered in your name at the land registry: this registration is what makes you the owner.
The most common traps
- Double selling: the same plot sold to several buyers. Only registration at the land registry settles it.
- A seller who is not the owner (an heir without the other heirs’ agreement, an intermediary without a mandate).
- A plot located in a non-buildable or reserved area.
- A cash payment made directly to the seller, without a notarized deed: in case of dispute, it will be very hard to prove.
Ready to take the next step?
See land for saleThis guide is provided for information only and does not replace advice from a legal professional (notary, lawyer). Rules change: check the texts in force before making any decision.