Senegal — Stamps & Postal Service

Postal Service Overview

La Poste du Sénégal is Senegal’s national postal operator. Senegal’s philatelic history spans the French colonial period — initially as part of French West Africa (which issued collective stamps for the entire region) and then as the separate colony of Senegal (stamps from 1887) — and the independent republic (1960–present). Dakar served as the capital of French West Africa, making Senegal’s postal history central to all West African postal history. Senegal was a pioneer in African political philosophy through Léopold Sédar Senghor’s concept of Négritude.

Notable Stamp Issues

Senegal’s first separate stamps in 1887 used the standard French colonial “Commerce and Navigation” design. The 1914–1944 definitive series featuring a Senegalese man and the baobab tree established distinctive local identity within the French colonial stamp framework. French West Africa joint stamps (1944–1958) served all French West African territories. Senegalese independence stamps from 1960 depicted President Senghor (a major poet and African philosopher). Modern Senegalese stamps feature the Goree Island (UNESCO slave trade heritage), Dakar’s Lac Rose (Pink Lake), and Sahelian wildlife.

Collecting Tips

Yvert & Tellier covers French colonial Senegal stamps. Modern Senegalese stamps are in Scott Africa. French West Africa stamps (1944–1958) are collected as a single area covering all eight French West African territories. Senegal’s Goree Island stamps attract African diaspora and slavery heritage thematic collectors. The baobab tree — Senegal’s national symbol — appears on many stamps and attracts tree thematic collectors. Senghor’s literary heritage has attracted intellectual history collectors.

Part of the Africa Postal Directory.