Abdoulaye Niang : le bâtisseur discret au cœur des grands chantiers du Sénégal
If you frequent major construction sites in Dakar, you've probably seen his name on a sign, even if you don't necessarily know what he looks like. Abdoulaye Niang, founder of BATI.LUX AFRICA, is one of those entrepreneurs who prefer construction plans to podiums. Yet, for the past ten years, he has been at the heart of some of the country's most sensitive projects.
His story begins far from the spotlight. A scholarship recipient specializing in excellence, he went to study civil engineering at a prestigious engineering school in France, then cut his teeth within an international construction group. On paper, everything pointed to a comfortable career abroad. But while many opted for stability, Abdoulaye Niang decided to return. His idea was simple, almost stubborn: Senegal must be able to rely on its own expertise to design and build its infrastructure.
His return was anything but a red carpet affair. In 2015, he founded BATI.LUX AFRICA with limited resources but a great deal of conviction. He had to convince clients, carve out a niche for himself against well-established competitors, and work incredibly long days to secure his first contracts. Those who worked with him at that time describe a leader who spared no effort in his hours or travels, but who refused to compromise on quality.
The turning point came in 2020. In the midst of a global health crisis, his company was selected to build the Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department at Fann Hospital. It was a major, sensitive, and urgent project. Under Abdoulaye Niang's leadership, teams worked around the clock to meet the deadlines. The project strengthened the country's capacity to combat infectious diseases and became a textbook example within the industry: that of a local company capable of responding to a national health challenge under immense pressure.
This remarkable achievement was not an isolated incident. In the following years, BATI.LUX AFRICA was entrusted with the reconstruction of the Aristide Le Dantec Hospital, a historic institution in the capital, as well as the construction of the Tivaouane Hospital. Three projects, three symbols of the same turning point: Senegal chose to place its trust in a company born on its own soil for its major hospital infrastructure. Each time, Abdoulaye Niang was at the forefront, alternating between technical meetings, site visits, and last-minute decisions.
His style breaks with certain industry norms. No flashy communication, no catchy slogans. The engineer prefers to talk about teams, technical details, and deadlines met. His colleagues describe him as demanding, sometimes uncompromising when it comes to preparing files, but always available to explain, provide guidance, and offer support. He values a certain discretion, which he readily contrasts with the "culture of appearances": for him, the completed buildings should speak for themselves.
For young Senegalese people, his journey sends a powerful message: you can go abroad to study, return, start a business in a competitive sector, work hard for years without making headlines, and end up building hospitals that will leave a lasting mark on the national landscape. With the expansion of BATI.LUX AFRICA into the sub-region, particularly Gabon, Abdoulaye Niang is scaling up, but maintaining the same guiding principle: putting engineering at the service of the country and the continent. Ten years after his beginnings, his name is starting to circulate beyond the circle of construction professionals. But behind the scenes, he remains true to his principles: move forward, deliver, improve. And let the projects speak for themselves.
Commentaires (7)
Au fait il en est où le fameux nouvel hôpital LE DANTEC ? nouvelle clinique pour gens nantis, les gueux se contenteront des mouroirs publics.
sene....pas le temps de poireauter en attendant le verdict de la censure
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