African Renaissance Monument Monument

Address: African Renaissance Monument, Colline des Mamelles, Ouakam, Dakar, Senegal

Hours: Daily (hours may vary)

Admission: Admission charged for access to monument/observation deck (modest local fee)

The African Renaissance Monument is a large bronze statue set on a hill on the Cap-Vert peninsula near Dakar and represents a symbolic figure of African renewal. It was commissioned as a national monument and occupies a dominant position on the city’s skyline.

The monument includes visitor areas at its base and public viewpoints that provide wide views over Dakar and the Atlantic coast. Its prominent location and scale make it a recognizable modern landmark for the city.

The sculpture was built by the North Korean Mansudae Art Studio and was inaugurated in 2010; its construction and cost generated national and international debate. The monument sits on the Ouakam hills of western Dakar.

• Construction: Unveiled in 2010 and constructed by the North Korean Mansudae Art Studio, it stands prominently on a hill overlooking Dakar.
• Panoramic views: The site offers expansive views across the Cap-Vert peninsula and the Atlantic Ocean, making it a popular spot for city panoramas and photography.

What to See#

• Viewing platform: A publicly accessible viewing area at the base of the monument that provides panoramic outlooks over the surrounding hills and the city of Dakar.
• Base exhibition: Exhibition and visitor spaces at the monument’s base that present the monument’s themes and offer orientation for visitors.

The African Renaissance Monument sits on a hill in Dakar (the Ouakam/Almadies area of the Cap‑Vert peninsula). It is easiest reached by taxi from anywhere in Dakar; local bus routes and shared taxis also serve the area. From central Dakar a taxi ride is short (within the city), and visitors are typically dropped a few minutes’ walk from the monument’s entrance.

• Go late afternoon toward sunset for panoramic views over Dakar and the Cap-Vert peninsula-the statue's elevated platform catches the best light and the city lights after dusk.
• Use the official visitor entrance and elevator/steps to reach the viewing levels rather than attempting the perimeter paths; the internal access gives the clearest uninterrupted views.
• Don't skip the lower exhibition/interpretation areas beneath the monument-these explain the statue's history and context and are often overlooked by visitors who only photograph the exterior.