Senegal’s recent legal updates to the nation’s social security system have introduced broad reforms for employers and employees. Law No. 2026-19, dated 3 September 2026 and published in Official Journal No. 7932 on 18 September 2026, introduced several changes to Senegal’s social security system, including expanded coverage for self-employed workers, a universal health insurance framework, and revised employer obligations. The reforms help modernise Senegal’s system and strengthen its social protection framework.

The main changes include the following:

Independent workers: The Code establishes a mandatory regime for self-employed workers that covers sickness, old-age benefits, survivors’ benefits, family benefits, and workplace accidents and occupational diseases. The reform covers numerous professional categories, including farmers, transport operators, fishermen, and artisans. Self-employed workers whose income exceeds the threshold established for the general scheme are also subject to the supplementary pension scheme.

Universal health insurance: The Code establishes a mandatory universal health insurance framework comprising regimes for employees, self-employed workers, and persons requiring medical assistance.

Contributions and registration: Employers are responsible for contributions relating to family benefits and workplace accidents and occupational diseases. Contributions relating to old-age benefits, invalidity, survivors’ benefits, and workers’ medical care are shared between employers and employees. Employers must register with the relevant social security institutions and affiliate their employees within two months of hiring their first employee.

The reform also strengthens inspection, contribution recovery, and enforcement mechanisms and introduces detailed rules governing late contributions, official assessments, and employer challenges.

The code is available here.