 Sagna was born in Ziguinchor.Unusually for Senegal, where a large majority of the population is Muslim, Sagna is a Christian.During the presidencies of Léopold Sédar Senghor and Abdou Diouf, he served in the government as Secretary of State for Human Promotion from 1978 to 1980, Secretary of State for Maritime Fishing from 1980 to 1983, Minister of Equipment from 1983 to 1988, Minister of Tourism from 1987 to 1988, Minister of Information for the Sénégambia Confederation from 1988 to 1989, Minister of Communication from 1988 to 1990, Minister of Equipment, Transport and the Sea from 1991 to 1993, and Minister of State for Agriculture from 1993 to 2000.