A notarised power of attorney (procuration notariée) lets you buy property in Senegal without travelling: you give a trusted person the power to sign the deed in your name before the notary. The document must be drawn up by a notary or a Senegalese consulate, state exactly which powers are granted, and never come with funds paid outside the notary's escrow account.
Quick answer
- Choose the route — Have the power of attorney drawn up either at a Senegalese consulate in your country or by a local notary (with legalisation/apostille if signed abroad).
- Limit the powers — State the property, the maximum price and a time limit; never grant an open general mandate or the right to resell or re-mortgage.
- Secure the funds — Transfer funds only to the notary's escrow account, never directly to the agency or the proxy.
What is a notarised power of attorney?
A power of attorney (mandate) is a deed by which you (the principal) authorise another person (the proxy) to carry out legal acts in your name. For a property purchase it must be notarised: a simple private document is not enough to sign a deed of sale before a Senegalese notary.
It is the tool that makes a remote purchase possible, at the heart of the process for investing in Senegal real estate from abroad when you cannot travel for the signing.
Consulate or local notary: which route?
First route: have the power of attorney drawn up at the Senegalese consulate in your country of residence. The consular service draws up or authenticates the deed, which then has official standing in Senegal. This is often the simplest route for the diaspora.
Second route: have the power of attorney drawn up by a notary in your country, then legalised or apostilled so it is recognised in Senegal, before sending it to the Senegalese notary handling the sale. Always ask the Senegalese notary which form they require before you start, to avoid a non-compliant deed.
Which powers to grant and which to limit
A good power of attorney is precise and restrictive. State the property concerned (address, title references), the maximum purchase price allowed, and a limited period of validity. You can also require that funds pass only through the notary's escrow account.
Never grant an open general mandate, nor the power to resell, pledge or mortgage the property. The narrower the mandate, the lower the risk of abuse.
The notary's role in verifying the title
The Senegalese notary is the linchpin of security. Before signing, it is for the notary to verify a land title at the land registry: confirming the true owner, the absence of any mortgage or dispute, and that it matches the property being sold. Never skip this step, even to save time.
The notary drafts the deed, receives the funds into the escrow account, pays the seller after signing and transfers the title into your name. It is this intermediation that protects the remote buyer.
Signing and transferring funds from abroad
Once the valid power of attorney is in the notary's hands and the title is verified, your proxy signs the deed in your name. The funds leave your bank abroad for the notary's escrow account — never to a personal account, an agency or the proxy.
Plan for the time and cost of an international transfer, and the proof-of-source-of-funds your bank may require. Keep every receipt: they form part of your proof of ownership.
Buying in Senegal by power of attorney, step by step
Six steps to secure a remote purchase.
- 1
Appoint a notary and have the title verified
Appoint a Senegalese notary and ask them to obtain a statement of real rights from the land registry confirming the owner and the absence of disputes before committing to anything.
- 2
Vet the intermediary
If an agency is involved, ask for its RCCM number (trade register) and check its registration; deal only with identifiable intermediaries.
- 3
Draw up the power of attorney
Have the power of attorney drawn up at the Senegalese consulate or by a notary (with legalisation/apostille), stating the property, maximum price and time limit, and strictly limiting the powers granted.
- 4
Send the power of attorney to the notary
Send the original to the Senegalese notary and confirm they accept its form before setting a signing date.
- 5
Transfer funds to the escrow account
Transfer the price only to the notary's escrow account, never to the agency or the proxy; prepare the proof-of-source-of-funds your bank requires.
- 6
Sign and obtain the title
Your proxy signs the deed in your name; the notary transfers the title and hands you the deed. Keep all supporting documents.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a private power of attorney enough to buy?
- No. To sign a property deed of sale in Senegal, the power of attorney must be notarised (or drawn up/authenticated by a consulate). A simple document without a notary is not accepted.
- Who should I send the funds to?
- Only to the escrow account of the notary handling the sale. Never pay the price directly to an agency, a seller or your proxy before signing: this is the main avenue for fraud.
- How do I check an agency is genuine?
- Ask for its RCCM number (trade and personal-property credit register) and verify its registration. A genuine agency is identifiable and accepts that funds pass through the notary.
- How long does a purchase by power of attorney take?
- The timeline depends mostly on drawing up the power of attorney, the notary's checks and international transfers. Allow several weeks; ask your notary for a precise schedule case by case.
See also
Updated 2026-06-04