Our impact
BRT Dakar
Background:
The Dakar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project is part of a comprehensive plan to restructure the capital city’s public transport network by 2025. It comprises two components:
- A civil infrastructure component, procured by the authorities, mainly comprising the construction of lanes, stations, and garages for the exclusive use of the future BRT buses for which the construction is ongoing since 2019 and scheduled to be completed in August 2023.
- An operational infrastructure component, tendered as a PPP, encompassing the procurement and maintenance of a 140+ bus fleet together with associated systems and equipment as well as the operation of the network for a duration of 15 years post commercial operations date targeted for December 2023.
In December 2019, Meridiam together with its partner Keolis (subsidiary of French national rail company SNCF) bid for the operational infrastructure PPP contract based on a fully battery powered electric bus fleet solution. After a long period of concession contract negotiations the Meridiam- led consortium was awarded the concession February 2022 and the Project Company, Dakar Mobilité SA, set-up by Meridiam and Fonsis reached commercial close with Ministry of Transport represented by CETUD (Dakar public transport regulator) in March 2022.
Stage:
Commercial Close
ESG/SDG Key Facts
The project is expected to have major positive social impact, such as improving traffic conditions and eventually air quality, improving accessibility, fostering the development of side businesses, creating jobs. The environmental risk is low due to the technology selected, and social risk is considered as medium due to the following key mitigation measures:
- A rigorous ESAP and ESMS shall be developed and put in place by the project company with the support of a best-in-class E&S advisor.
- Local recruitment programmes shall be implemented and supported by the Project Company marketing/communication programme.
- Solid training programmes to limit as much as possible the incidents/accidents on the BRT line.
- Recycling of bus batteries by the bus supplier.
- A waste management plan is being developed
Source: (1) World Bank