Dakar - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
The expat community here is very big, vibrant and diverse. There are sizable English-speaking, French-speaking and Spanish- speaking expat communities here. - Apr 2022
The expat community is huge, and morale is very high. It helps if you speak French, though. - Jul 2020
The French are the dominant expat group, but Dakar is a cosmopolitan city with people from all over. Morale tends to be very high. - Dec 2019
Large expat community. Embassy community is ok and I'd say morale is ok, too. You gotta make friends on your own, rather than expect the CLO, for instance, to help and/or provide opportunities for getting to know people. - Dec 2018
The expat community is pretty big and you have to find a group that's right for you. Personally, I find it to be clique-ish, but face-to-face people are pretty nice. - Dec 2018
Huge. But Francophone. - Jun 2017
Large, and good. You can really meet a lot of amazing people here. - Apr 2016
This is a big embassy (regional hub for lots of agencies). I'd say morale is good but not great. Some singles have curtailed. There are not that many English speaking expats in the local economy. - Aug 2015
There are nearly 200 direct hires plus all of their families, so it's actually a pretty large post. Most everyone lives in areas of town with other American expats, which makes it easy for carpooling, planning parties and events, and getting to know your neighbors. I would say that morale is really good as the city is constantly improving. - Aug 2014
Huge expat community, morale is good except for those who stick to their own kind and don't get into the local culture/language. People who don't speak French will be miserable until they learn. - Apr 2014
Huge. There are big UN offices here, and lots of regional aid organizations have headquarters here. Also, lots of French retirees -- which I still do not understand. - Jun 2013
Large. - Mar 2013
Not huge -- many Europeans, and a smaller number of Americans and Chinese. - Mar 2012
large - Aug 2011
Small to moderate. USAID has a big presence, and there are UN people as well. There are few American tourists or visitors. - Jan 2011
Large. - Feb 2010
Large - Feb 2010
Large. - Jan 2010
Expats are here but you don't see them a lot. - May 2009
