World Bank group approves $135 million to strengthen Senegal's health system and expand financial protection for vulnerable populations

The World Bank has approved $135 million in financing to strengthen Senegal’s health system, improve health outcomes for women, children, and adolescents, and provide financial protection for vulnerable populations, according to a press release published on March 18, 2026. The program, known as NAATANGUE 2030, is formally titled the Senegal Health System Development and Financial Protection Program. It is financed through a combination of a credit and two grants from separate international funding bodies.

The $135 million package is composed of three distinct funding streams. A $100 million credit comes from the International Development Association (IDA). An additional $20 million grant is provided by The Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents (GFF). The remaining $15 million grant is drawn from the Health System Transformation and Resilience Multi-Donor Trust Fund (HSTRF).

Over the program period, NAATANGUE 2030 will support a shift toward a more equitable, resilient, and results-driven health system in Senegal. The program will help expand access to quality emergency obstetric and neonatal care and strengthen routine screening and continuity of care for women and children. It will also support extending effective health insurance coverage to vulnerable populations. Additional systemic improvements include ensuring the availability of essential medicines and deploying health workers in underserved areas. The program further targets the strengthening of health information systems and preparedness for health and environmental shocks through regional multi-hazard early warning mechanisms.

Djibrilla Issa, Division Director for Senegal, Mauritania, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, and The Gambia, commented on the approval.

“NAATANGUE 2030 reflects our shared commitment with the Government of Senegal to ensure that every woman, child, and adolescent can access quality health services without being pushed into vulnerability,” he said.

He added that the program supports Senegal’s vision to build a health system that is stronger, more equitable, and better prepared to face the health challenges ahead, while contributing to the World Bank Group’s ambition of reaching 1.5 billion people in the world with quality health, nutrition, and population services by 2030.

The program applies a results-based financing approach supported by targeted reforms. This is intended to help sustain outcomes by delivering lasting improvements in service quality, equity, and resilience. The combination of IDA credit, GFF grant, and HSTRF grant reflects a coordinated multilateral effort to address Senegal’s health sector needs. NAATANGUE 2030 positions the program as a vehicle for both immediate service delivery improvements and longer-term structural health system change.