01A wealth landscape in transition
Dakar concentrates fortunes built on construction and concessions, trade and distribution, financial services and technology — joined by the wealth of a diaspora with deep ties to France. As the country's gas and oil fields come on stream, a new cycle is opening: subcontracting, logistics, real estate — and, for families already established, the question of anchoring part of their wealth outside the region, in euros.
02The challenges we encounter
The threads running through our Senegalese engagements: close family and financial ties with France — children, residences, long-standing accounts — that call for tax and estate matters to be put in order on both sides; Dakar real estate (Almadies, Plateau, Diamniadio) to be balanced with Paris property, whether a residence or an income-producing asset; families that are often large, where succession must be set down in writing early if it is to remain a shared project; and the shift from dormant bank savings to a carefully constructed allocation.
03A concrete case
Fatou, 63, built a real-estate and hotel group in Dakar. Three children, including a daughter settled in London. An income-producing building in Paris, held directly for twenty years, never structured. The arrangement: contribution of the property to a French société civile (family property company), a donation-partage (French inter vivos gift distributing assets among heirs) of the bare ownership to the three children, and a Luxembourg life insurance policy with a split beneficiary clause to balance the family branches. A succession that would have opened in three jurisdictions became an organised handover, accepted by all, during the founder's lifetime.
04How we work with Senegal
Remotely and during your stays in France, in close coordination with your advisers in Dakar — notaries, lawyers, bankers. Many of our Senegalese clients already have a financial foothold in France: our first task is often an audit of what is already in place (properties, accounts, older contracts) before building further. New relationships begin by invitation or referral.
05Frequently asked questions
We already own assets in France, poorly organised. Where should we start?
With a complete review: title deeds, holding structures, taxes currently borne, the clauses of existing contracts. This is common among long-established Senegalese families — and it is often where the quickest gains are found, before any new investment.
How do you handle a large family with differing interests?
By putting things in writing early. Donation-partage, the articles of a société civile, beneficiary clauses: French instruments make it possible to set a balance accepted by all during the founder's lifetime. We facilitate these family discussions with method and neutrality.
Do you advise the Senegalese diaspora living in France?
Yes — with a particular focus: aligning French wealth (tax residence, income, retirement) with interests in Senegal (real estate, the family business, family support). It is a binational matter by nature — our core expertise.
ASTERALE is a French firm, registered with ORIAS (no. 23 007 423) and subject to the French authorities (AMF, ACPR). Our guidance covers the structuring, investment and transmission of the French and European portion of your wealth, in coordination with your local advisers for the remainder. New relationships begin by invitation or referral, in compliance with applicable French and local regulations.
A first conversation — confidential, without obligation, in French or English, by video call or in Paris.
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