Truckers push for smoother transit between Dakar and Bamako

At Moussala in Sénégal, a line of trucks stretches nearly 15 kilometers, waiting to cross into Mali. The congestion has reached critical levels, with drivers stranded for days due to insufficient infrastructure to handle the volume of freight headed toward Bamako.

Why delays are piling up on the Dakar-Bamako corridor

Speaking with industry leaders, Daouda Singui Sarr, director of promotion and assistance at the Conseil sénégalais des chargeurs (Cosec), highlighted the mounting challenges. « Transit delays are not just a matter of time—they translate into real financial losses for transporters, » he explained. « Drivers also face harsh conditions, especially during the rainy season. Basic amenities are scarce, and long waits under difficult weather only compound the strain. »

The situation is worsening as cross-border trade intensifies, driven by a surge in mining activity. Kidira, a key transit point, is already home to a newly developed 15-hectare parking lot for trucks. Now, stakeholders are eyeing Moussala as the next bottleneck needing urgent attention.

Proposed solutions to unclog the border

Daouda Singui Sarr emphasized the need for coordinated action: « Authorities have already bolstered staffing at border posts to speed up processing. The next logical step is to replicate the modern parking initiative in Kidira by establishing a similar facility in Moussala. This would not only ease congestion but also reduce transit times and operational costs for truckers. »

Local authorities have acknowledged the urgency and are working closely with transport and customs officials to implement short-term measures within the coming weeks. The goal is to restore fluidity along one of West Africa’s busiest trade arteries.