Senegal Updates Safety Advice Following New Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation

As of September 2026, the travel advisory for Senegal has been updated to reflect significant changes in local legislation regarding sexual orientation. A law enacted on March 31, 2026, has criminalized sexual acts between persons of the same sex. Furthermore, the legislation extends to the 'promotion' or 'funding' of such acts, with penalties including heavy fines and prison sentences of up to 10 years. This development represents a major shift in the legal landscape for visitors and residents alike.

The update serves as a critical reminder for travellers to research the legal and cultural norms of their destination before departure. Senegal's legal framework now explicitly targets activities that were previously handled under different social or legal interpretations. The government of Canada, among others, has updated its advisory to ensure citizens are fully informed of the risks associated with these new, strictly enforced statutes.

All travellers to Senegal, particularly those who identify as LGBTQ+ or those involved in advocacy, funding, or promotion of LGBTQ+ rights, are directly affected by these stringent new laws.

Makutet observes that this legislative change significantly alters the risk profile for international visitors to Senegal. We anticipate that this will lead to a decline in specific niche tourism segments and may prompt further travel warnings from other nations as they assess the implications of the new law on their citizens' safety.