Dakar Region

The Dakar region is divided into five départements (administrative structures without political power, unlike the French départements). The départements had the following areas and populations at the Census of 2023:

Keur Massar Department was formed in May 2021.

Dakar department

Dakar Department is also a commune (city). This is a situation comparable to Paris which is both a department and a commune. The department/commune of Dakar is further divided into:

• 4 arrondissements, which are administrative structures without much power. The arrondissements are further divided into:
  • 19 communes d'arrondissement (i.e. "communes of arrondissement"). The communes d'arrondissement have a lot of power, unlike the arrondissements of Paris, and are more comparable to the London boroughs.

Guédiawaye department

Guédiawaye Department is also a commune (city). This department has only one arrondissement, so that Guédiawaye is both a department and an arrondissement. The department /arrondissement/commune of Guédiawaye is further divided into:

• 5 communes d'arrondissement

Pikine department

Pikine Department is also a commune (city). The department /commune of Pikine is further divided into:

• 3 arrondissements, which are further divided into:
  • 16 communes d'arrondissement

Rufisque department

Rufisque Department is made up of two arrondissements and six urban communes:

• Rufisque arrondissement, which is also a commune (city). The arrondissement/commune of Rufisque is divided into 3 communes d'arrondissement:
  • Rufisque Centre (Nord)
  • Rufisque Est
  • Rufisque Ouest
• Bambylor arrondissement, which, administratively speaking, is the only rural part of the Dakar region. The Bambylor arrondissement is divided into 3 communautés rurales (i.e. "rural communities"):
  • Yène
  • Bambylor
  • Tivaouane Peulh-Niaga
• The six communes of Bargny, Sébikotane, Diamniadio, Jaxaay-Parcelle-Niakoul Rap, Sangalkam and Sendou

Within the Dakar 'region, the only politically significant units (i.e. those who have elected officials and wield a significant power) are: the 7 communes, the 2 communautés rurales, and the 43 communes d'arrondissement.