Gaining a better understanding of how money shapes political dynamics and influences the voting behavior of young people is the central focus of a new study launched in Senegal. The initiative aims to scientifically analyze the impact of financial resources on electoral processes and their influence on a youth demographic that now constitutes the majority of the country's population.

The stated objective is to produce reliable data to inform the public debate on political financing, identify formal and informal mechanisms for the circulation of money, and formulate recommendations for more equitable and transparent citizen participation. The study will examine how financial resources influence campaigns, mobilizations, and voter choices. While all political activity requires financial resources within a republican framework, the research will also focus on less visible practices that can influence individual and collective decisions.

Youth, the main barometer

At the heart of this approach lies Senegalese youth. With over 75% of the population under 35, they represent the majority of registered voters and are the driving force behind political mobilization. The study will analyze young people's perceptions of the use of money in politics: is it seen as a simple logistical tool, a decisive factor of influence, a lever for opportunities, or a mechanism of exclusion?

Understanding these perceptions is essential for anticipating voting behavior and strengthening the foundations of more inclusive democratic governance. Fieldwork will be conducted in Dakar and its suburbs, as well as in Tivaouane, Touba, Matam, and Ziguinchor, to ensure territorial and sociological diversity.

An inclusive methodology

Interview guides and structured questionnaires will be administered to different segments of the population. To ensure broad participation, the tools will be translated into national languages: Wolof in several localities, Pulaar in Matam, as well as French and Wolof in Casamance.

The project is led by Peace Consult, a firm specializing in peace, security, and governance issues. Its president, Dr. Guy Abdullat, former director of early warning at ECOWAS, clarifies that the approach aims "neither to judge nor to stigmatize," but rather "to understand, objectify, and inform." According to him, the ambition is to create a space for collective reflection based on civic responsibility. The expected results should inform the public debate as the next elections approach.