Tensions are rising at Lac Rose near Dakar as locals protest against the launch of a high-end “green city” project. Despite local opposition, officials have broken ground, signaling the start of construction for upscale studios and villas to be delivered off-plan.

Ibrahima Mbaye, president of the Lac Rose Protection Collective, has intensified efforts to halt the project, which he argues threatens the site’s fragile ecosystem. The lake serves as a natural barrier against coastal erosion and rising sea levels, supporting over 6,000 livelihoods tied to salt harvesting, tourism, and hospitality. As Mbaye explains, the construction of imposing structures would not only disrupt the landscape but also deter tourists, endangering the very industries that sustain the community.

Critics dismiss the “green city” label as a misleading tactic to justify the project. “A green city name is just a phrase to mislead people into believing they’re building a smart, eco-friendly city,” Mbaye states. “We know it’s impossible here. The sand dunes and coastal protection belt—planted specifically to combat erosion—would be destroyed. What will remain isn’t a lake to visit but a concrete jungle.”

In response, Casa Orascom, the Egyptian developer behind the project, insists construction will proceed while adhering to environmental commitments made with the Senegalese government. The company claims the initiative will generate 20,000 direct and indirect jobs once operational.