LSD Senegal - Lumière Synergie Développement

Regional Mobilization, Capitalization and Advocacy Workshop

Lumière Synergie pour le Développement (LSD, Senegal)

History of the organization

LSD is the fruit of the commitment of a group of researchers and human rights activists with experience in Extractive Industries Governance in Senegal, Africa and beyond, who have decided to pool their experience to monitor and influence Financing for Development.

Recent statements

PRESS RELEASE: Impacts of GTA Gas Exploitation on Fishing in Saint-Louis A call for responsibility from BP and Kosmos. Freeing JATARA: Enough empty promises!

SEPTEMBER 16, 2025

For almost five years now, fishermen have been calling for serious mitigation measures following thetakeover of the JATARA natural reef where BP built its offshore platform. Initial commitments promised 12 artificial reefs - a figure that has become an illusion. To date, only one reef has been built, and BP wants to install it just 4 km from the coast, in total disregard of the opinion of fishermen who find this distance unsustainable. The fishermen's alternative proposals to place this reef further offshore, which would enable the sustainable regeneration of more fish resources, have been systematically ignored. And this refusal is seen as a deliberate maneuver to keep artisanal pirogues away from the project's maritime perimeter, to the benefit of industrial traffic.

"Lumière Synergie pour le Développement (LSD) renews its unreserved support for APALSL and demands that BP and Kosmos act responsibly," said Aly Marie Sagne.

LSD calls on BP and Kosmos to :

Respect their initial commitmentsof several reefs, not a single ecological gadget;
Stop deciding the future of fishing zones on your own;
Engage in genuine dialogue with the communities concerned, and avoid any manipulation.

CSO WELCOME LETTER: CONGRATULATIONS AND COMMITMENT TO RENEWED CSO-AFDB DIALOGUE

SEPTEMBER 1, 2025

Dear Mr. President,

At the start of your presidency, we would like to express the following expectations:

The institutionalization of regular, transparent, and structured dialogue between the AfDB and CSOs, including those from impacted local communities;
Stronger consideration of CSO contributions in the design, implementation, and
evaluation of projects;
Inclusive and accessible consultation processes on sectoral policies, country strategies, and internal reforms;
Enhanced support for CSO participation in regional and continental initiatives led by the Bank (energy, climate, gender, digitalization, infrastructure, etc.);
Effective protection against reprisals for communities and civil society actors who
speak out about project-related impacts;
Prioritization of resources and staff capacity for effective implementation of the
AfDB's environmental and social standards and requirements;
Maintaining and strengthening strong, independent accountability mechanisms that
deliver remedy for communities who have been harmed by development projects.

CIVIL SOCIETY DECLARATION /FINANCE IN COMMON SUMMIT

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA, FEBRUARY 26-28, 2025

The confluence of rising inequality, debt crises and escalating climate emergencies demands that public development banks (PDBs) demonstrate real leadership in promoting just and sustainable development. At this critical juncture, public development banks must move beyond rhetoric and engage in concrete, transformative action, placing human rights, community leadership and environmental sustainability at the heart of all financing decisions.

Joint Statement on the EU Omnibus

Southern countries warn the EU

This law has set a new global standard and has the potential to transform the global economy and ensure that multinational companies respect human rights. We urge the European Commission to rule out
this option, and to commit to full and timely implementation of the CSDD.

Civil society statement Mission 300

Connect 300 million people to electricity by 2030

On January 27 and 28, 2025, African heads of state will gather with private sector leaders, development partners and civil society for the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit, where they will join forces to expand access to electricity on the continent and define concrete measures to transform the region's energy sector.

Reports

Senegal August 18, 2025 (Report)

Families displaced inland by floods in limbo

Senegalese displaced by storm surges, which are becoming stronger and more frequent due to climate change, suffer persistent human rights violations, with no lasting solution in sight, Human Rights Watch said in this report.

Download the reports summary

BARBARIAN LANGUAGE (Report)

Gas study on JATARA

Gas development off the coast of St. Louis has caused significant upheaval in the lives of local fishing communities on the Langue de Barbarie. The fishing industry, vital to the local economy and the livelihood of the local population, is facing increased challenges due to its often conflicting coexistence with industrial operations. The richest fishing grounds, such as " Jatara " and " Praia ", already under pressure from overexploitation, are being drastically reduced due to the safety perimeters imposed by gas installations.

Recent events

African People's Counter Cop

Mark your calendars and book your tickets for the biggest gathering of climate justice activists on the continent!!! It's the African People's Counter-CoP (APCC2024). This year, all roads lead to Saly, Senegal. Join us from October 7 to 11, 2024 as we unite against systematic oppression and climate injustice in Africa!

Our news

In order to promote Good Governance and help demystify International Financial Institutions (IFIs), LSD is strengthening the of Civil Society Organizations and Communities on the Transparency and Accountability Policies of IFIs, and specifically on the African Development Bank (AfDB), so as to be able to monitor their operations throughout Africa.

Monitoring infrastructure projects financed by the African Development Bank.

September 23, 2024 in Saly

Raising awareness among the women of Guet Ndar about #JETP.

September 19, 2024, St-Louis

Mangrove restoration in the Saloum Delta

September 06, 2024 at Marlodj

Involuntary Resettlement Policy of the African Development Bank.

January 16, 2024 in Abidjan

Sub-regional training on the "Right to Say No

JULY 17-22, 2023, SALY

Follow-up to the Atinkou 390 MW combined-cycle power plant project co-financed by the African Development Bank Group.

March 22, 2023 in Abidjan

MANGROVE WEEK OF ACTION 2025: 5,000,000 Fcfa resilience fund and 36,714 Propagules transplanted!

Our projects

LSD is currently running these programs:

-Development sovereignty for African women - consent rights for mega mining and infrastructure projects .(Foundation for a Just Society (FJS) through Womin Alliance)

- Strengthening civil society knowledge and capacity to better engage with the African Development Bank (AFDB) on gender issues at policies and project levels. (Both Ends)

-Greening investments and supporting communities affected by projects financed by the African Development Bank (Open Society Initiative West Africa/OSIWA)

- Amplifying the voice of women affected by African Development Bank projects in West Africa (Foundation for a Just Society (FJS)

-Capacity building for local fishing community of Guet Ndar in the context of oil and gas development in Senegal.

Countries of operation

Senegal

Ivory Coast

Burkina Fasso

Rep of Guinea

Climate crisis: it's time to give women a voice.

Our team

Following the General Meeting of August 12, 2023, LSD's Board of Directors is made up of 09 members (including 6 women, 1 President and 2 Vice-Presidents).
The Board is supported by a technical team of 8 permanent staff.