Governance and decentralization: Expert Lamine Diagne lays out the conditions for the success of the new economic hubs

Senegal is preparing to open a new chapter in its decentralization process with the implementation of Act IV. For Lamine Diagne, a senior local government official, social policy expert, and performance-based strategy coach, this reform should not be limited to a further transfer of powers or a revision of local government funding mechanisms. In this interview, the senior local government official argues that the real challenge now lies in better distributing power between the state and local authorities, while simultaneously strengthening the accountability of local actors and citizen participation.

Should Act IV mark a paradigm shift? What do you specifically expect from this new stage of decentralization?

I think we've reached a point where we need to move beyond the simple debate about the transfer of powers. Of course, this issue remains important. A power transferred to a local authority without the necessary financial, human, and technical resources cannot be fully exercised. But there's another, much deeper question: who actually has the power to decide and act? This, in my view, is where the real challenge of Act IV lies. We must empower local areas to have a genuine capacity for initiative and decision-making on issues that directly concern them. This absolutely does not mean weakening the State. On the contrary. It's about building a new balance in which the State fully plays its strategic role, while allowing local authorities and stakeholders to take on greater responsibility. After the transfer of powers, we must now consider how to share the power to act.

You also emphasize the link between decentralization and deconcentration. Why is this so important?

Because today, several actors operate simultaneously in the same territories. We have municipalities, cities, departments, but also governors, prefects, decentralized state services, agencies, and various public operators. This diversity of actors is not necessarily a problem. It can even be an asset. The problem arises when each acts independently, without a genuine shared strategy. This is why I believe that Act IV must also be a reform of the state's territorial organization. We must clarify roles, responsibilities, and coordination mechanisms. The goal is not to choose between the state and local authorities. Rather, we must determine who does what, at what scale, and with what resources. If we want more effective decentralization, we must therefore necessarily review, at the same time, how the state organizes itself and operates within the territories.

You distinguish between the territorialization of public policies and territorial policies. What, in your opinion, is the difference?

The difference is significant. When a national policy is implemented at the local level, the starting point is a decision made centrally, and the aim is then to adapt it to local realities. This is necessary to account for the specific characteristics of each region. But a true local policy begins with the region itself: its needs, its resources, its constraints, but also its potential and the ambitions of its stakeholders. Consider a region facing youth unemployment, mobility issues, difficulties accessing healthcare, or a lack of vocational training. Simply applying several national programs is not enough. It is essential to consider all of these problems and develop a coherent response. It is this capacity to build a genuine local development plan that we must strengthen. Local implementation should therefore not be merely a way to better implement policies decided in Dakar. It must also empower local areas to become proactive and develop their own solutions.

The Government is considering the establishment of regional economic hubs. Is this a good response to these challenges?

Yes, this could be an interesting opportunity. Some issues extend far beyond the boundaries of a municipality or even a department. I'm thinking in particular of infrastructure, mobility, economic sectors, the environment, and certain planning challenges. Changing scale can therefore be relevant. But we need to be very clear about the governance of these hubs. Several questions will need to be answered: what will their relationship be with municipalities, cities, and departments? What will be the role of prefects and governors? How will state agencies intervene? What role will be given to businesses, associations, and citizens? Above all, we must avoid creating a new structure that would simply be added to those that already exist. In my view, these hubs should instead be spaces for building integrated territorial projects. The development of a territory is not limited to the economy. We must also consider employment, training, health, mobility, housing, the environment, education, and social cohesion.

Finally , what role should the citizen play in Act IV?

Citizens must be at the heart of the reform. We cannot discuss decentralization solely as a matter between the state and local elected officials. The primary goal of decentralization is to improve people's lives and bring decision-making closer to the citizen. But physically bringing institutions closer together is not enough. We must also bring citizens closer to the decision-making process. People must be able to participate more fully in identifying needs, defining priorities, and evaluating public policies. Above all, they must know who decides, who finances, who implements, and who is responsible for the results. This is also a question of accountability. When a local authority has greater responsibilities, it must be able to account for its choices and their outcomes. Ultimately, I believe that Act IV must answer six very simple questions: Who decides? Who leads? At what level? With what resources? With which partners? And to whom are we accountable? If we can provide clear answers to these questions, we will have truly taken a significant step forward. Act IV would then no longer be just an administrative or institutional reform. It could become a new governance contract between the State, the territories and the citizens.