The project involves upgrading and electrifying the western section of the Dakar - Diourbel metre-gauge line and constructing a branch to the airport. The link will be built in two phases: Dakar - Diamniado (36km) and Diamniado - AIBD (19km).

The open tender will be conducted in two stages and is divided into three lots, covering design and construction of infrastructure, railway systems (electrical), and renewal of metre-gauge track.

The Senegalese government says it is shifting the focus of infrastructure investment towards modernising the country's rail network following the completion of a programme of road improvements.