The Mbour 4 project has taken a decisive step towards regularization and urban development. During a visit to the site in Thiès on Friday, January 16, 2026, the Minister of Urban Planning, Local Authorities and Territorial Development, Moussa Balla Fofana, reaffirmed the commitment of the Head of State, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, to making this area a symbol of "correctness, social justice and equity".

Accompanied by technical staff, elected officials, and representatives of the local population, the minister held a technical meeting at the Thiès governor's office to assess the progress of the work. He specified that the commissions responsible for the investigations have now finalized the scientific basis necessary to transform this area into a "New City" that respects modern urban planning and sustainable development standards.

A scientific approach to avoid the mistakes of the past

The minister justified the twenty-month delay since the first presidential visit by citing the need for a rigorous analysis of the technical data. For Moussa Balla Fofana, taking the time for reflection is essential to avoid the tragedies experienced in other suburbs: “Planning time is a gain for growth. We analyzed the soil type, water flow, and the preservation of green spaces to prevent any risk of flooding and protect the water table that sustains the country.”

Given the strategic importance of the Dakar-Thiès axis for Senegal, the government aims to achieve exemplary spatial planning. This requires reconciling the massive housing needs with the imperatives of mobility, as Thiès is the essential transit point between the capital and other centers of the country.

Towards an active phase of resettlement and development

The project is now entering a much more dynamic operational phase. According to the minister, the next steps will involve compiling all applications, finalizing land restructuring, and launching resettlement programs. The goal is to create a "peaceful and positive" living environment for Senegalese people, far removed from urban chaos.

Regarding the timeline, Moussa Balla Fofana sought to be reassuring yet realistic. He announced that the restructuring phase should be completed by the end of 2026, thus allowing the country to fully commit to the overall development of this new urban area. For the authorities, this project is not merely a response to a land dispute, but an opportunity to build a sustainable urban model for Senegal's future.