the mysterious coup of Royal BTP and Dental in Senegal

In the shadow of Senegalese public markets, two companies, Royal BTP and Dental, are raising questions for their role in a construction contract for the universities of Matam and Tambacounda, the total amount of which amounts to 140 billion FCFA. A colossal amount, certainly, but which, according to several sources, hides a much murkier reality. These contracts were awarded without the slightest call for tenders to Ibrahim Karagnara, a Malian businessman with a controversial past, who was already imprisoned for cases of economic delinquency in his country before being released. This situation raises serious concerns, particularly because of the many gray areas surrounding the companies involved.

As revealed by the daily Libération, these companies have no legal existence in Senegal. Royal BTP and Dental are not even registered in the country, a detail which makes their participation in such large-scale contracts particularly suspect. In addition, no prior experience is recorded for these companies in the field of construction in Senegal. Their only feat of arms seems to be these two projects, which are emptying the state coffers.

The scandal grew when we learned that, like other unscrupulous players in the sector, Karagnara used a long list of subcontractors to carry out this work. A mechanism already used by other businessmen to circumvent the rules and avoid any transparency in the award of public contracts.

For the opposition and several observers, this affair is a new illustration of the mismanagement affecting certain public projects in Senegal. Ousmane Sonko, leader of Pastef and former minister, denounced this practice, citing possible overbilling and called for a rigorous audit of contracts. In response to these accusations, an audit was promised, but the question remains: how many other contracts are awarded on such vague bases?

Libération promises to soon return to the details of the contracts and the amounts already disbursed by the Public Treasury, a sum of money which could well be synonymous with large-scale financial slippages.