This brief provides an overview of the religious roles in Senegalese education and social protection initiatives. Many of the roles religious leaders and institutions play within the development landscape are linked to doctrinal obligations to educate, protect the vulnerable, and promote social solidarity. The deep trust and proximity to communities combined with the capacity to mobilize domestic resources (zakat, donations, volunteers) allow them to reach populations often underserved by public programs, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas. These attributes make them effective partners for behavior change, social cohesion, and inclusive service delivery.