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4 clusters · 13 sources · 26 days · First seen · Last updated

Senegal ASER/AEE Power electrification scandal

Overview

In late July 2026, Senegal’s financial prosecutor opened a patrimonial investigation into Jean Michel Sène, director of the rural electrification agency ASER, following a complaint by the Spanish firm AEE Power EPC SA alleging fraud, forgery, and misuse of public funds. The probe also targeted other officials and examined a suspicious receipt of 918 million CFA francs.

Deputy Thierno Alassane Sall accused the ruling Pastef majority of suppressing the ASER/AEE Power dossier for over a year and diverting 37 billion CFA francs intended to electrify approximately 1,600 to 1,700 villages. Sall described the situation as a ‘major scandal’ and criticized the government for attempting to silence the issue.

By mid-August, scrutiny intensified regarding the management of the 37 billion CFA francs in advanced funds. Sall dismissed explanations from AEE Power EPC Chairman José Ángel González Tausz—who claimed funds were distributed across various accounts without specific project allocations—as ‘enfumage puéril’ (childish smoke and mirrors). Critics noted that 26 months after advance payments, fewer than 40 villages have been electrified.

In late August, the controversy deepened following the leak of a confidential August 2024 note signed by former Energy Minister Birame Souleye Diop. Sall used the document to accuse Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko of withholding information, claiming the note proves the administration was aware of irregularities, including the potential misappropriation of a 56 million euro startup advance. Allegations suggest some funds may have been used to pay bonuses at SONAC. Additionally, while the Spanish parent company alleged fraudulent invoicing by its local subsidiary, AEE Power Sénégal, the leaked note indicated such claims were unverified at the time.

Entities

Senegal · Thierno Alassane Sall · Agence sénégalaise d'électrification rurale · AEE Power EPC · Diourbel

Timeline

  1. 4 days ago

    [POLITICS] 9 sources
    Senegal ASER dispute intensifies over leaked ministerial note

    A leaked note regarding the ASER rural electrification project has led opposition leader Thierno Alassane Sall to accuse Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko of ignoring early warnings of financial irregularities.

  2. 12 days ago

    [POLITICS] 5 sources
    AEE Power EPC faces scrutiny over Senegal electrification funds

    Senegalese Deputy Thierno Alassane Sall is challenging Spanish firm AEE Power EPC over the management of 37 billion CFA francs intended for a rural electrification project involving 1,700 villages.

  3. 19 days ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Senegal MP Thierno Sall accuses ruling party of blocking power project

    Senegal MP Thierno Alassane Sall says the ruling Pastef majority blocked the ASER/AEE Power EPC project, depriving 1,600 villages of electricity and misusing 37 bn CFA francs, urging debate before the 10 Aug 6‑

  4. 29 days ago

    [CRIME] 9 sources
    Senegal's ASER Director Jean Michel Sène Under Financial Investigation

    Senegal's ASER chief Jean Michel Sène faces a financial investigation over alleged fraud linked to the AEE Power contract, with multiple related probes and complaints.

Sources

actunet.net · cciad.sn · directactu.net · ledakarois.sn · leral.net · pulse.sn · reussirbusiness.com · senego.com · senenews.com · sunugal24.net · tambacounda.info · xalimasn.com · xibaaru.com

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history