Senegal: Access to Information Law will support transparency and accountability

As the world commemorated the tenth anniversary of the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) on 28 September 2025, ARTICLE 19 Senegal & West Africa and the Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) welcomed thehistoric adoption of the Access to Information Law in Sénégal (loin°2025-15 relative à l'accèsà l'information) by the National Assembly on 25 August 2025. Our organisations congratulate the government for the implementation of the law, enacted byHis Excellency President Bassirou DiomayeFaye, and we congratulate thepeople of Senegal, who will directly benefitfrom the law and its impact on society.

This law guarantees the right to every person in Senegal to access information held by public institutions and private bodies performing public functions. It sets clear timelines for responses from these institutions and bodies, and establishesan independent oversight mechanism with the aim of promoting transparency.

While celebrating this milestone, ARTICLE 19 Regional Director Mr. Alfred Nkuru Bulakalistressed:

'The adoption and the enactment of the law represent a major step toward transparency, accountability, and citizen participation. If effectively implemented, it could revolutioniseaccess to information, journalism and information integrity, empower citizens, promote their participation and trust in institutions, and thus, strengthen democracy and accountability in the realisationof sustainable development goals'.

The law does, however, fall short in some respects, and our organisationsurge public institutions and bodies to uphold public interest and aim to honourrequests for information in the majority ofcases, allowing for exemptions in rare cases supported by evidence regardingpotential harm caused.

'The law introduces a series of exemptions,' explains Alfred Nkuru Bulakali.'These exemptions,while protecting legitimate interests,are not clearly defined. If crudely considered, they could hamper the ultimate objectiveof transparency the lawshould pursue. It is therefore important for information holders- public institutions and bodies -to uphold the principle of overriding public interest guaranteed by the Model Law for Access to Information in Africa. Under this, before rejecting an access to information requestonexception grounds, they should consider whether the harm that may result from sharing the information significantly outweighs the public interest in disclosingsuch information'.

The adoption of this law is the result of years of persistent advocacy by civil society, media, and reform champions.

According to Gilbert Sendugwa, Executive Director for AFIC, 'With this adoption, Senegal becomes the 30thcountry with an ATI law in Africa. AFIC is delighted to have supported campaigns in Senegal together with its members, including ARTICLE 19, working alongside national stakeholders to build momentum for this milestone. This achievement sets a powerful precedent for countries in Africa that are yet to adopt access to information laws.'

AFIC is a continental network bringing together over 50 member organisations working on access to information and transparency, including ARTICLE 19 West Africa. Together, we emphasisethat while the passage of access to information legislation is important, it is only the first step. We remain committed to working with the Government of Senegal, peer civil society organisations, and all stakeholders engaged for this purpose to ensure effective implementation of the law so that citizens can truly enjoy their right to know.

We take this opportunity to thank all partner organisations who have been working togetherfor the adoption of the law.

Together we move closer to an Africa where the right to information is a lived reality for all, and to strengthen democracy and sustainable development for the Africa we needand deserve.