SENEGAL-ECONOMY

Dakar – Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has underscored the critical challenges facing Senegal’s commercial markets, citing their advanced state of disrepair and significant safety hazards. He has advocated for the establishment of an independent administrative entity specifically tasked with their comprehensive management.

Government spokesperson Marie Rose Faye reported that Mr. Sonko observed the commercial infrastructure across Senegal is notably characterized by extensive dilapidation and substantial security risks.

Between 2013 and 2024, a staggering 53 markets across the nation have been devastated by one or more fire incidents, as highlighted by Ms. Faye, relaying the Prime Minister’s assessment.

Mr. Sonko’s detailed diagnostic review unveiled a multitude of issues, encompassing technical, infrastructural, organizational, environmental, and sanitary deficiencies within these vital commercial hubs, the government spokesperson further elaborated in the latest Council of Ministers communiqué.

The Prime Minister acknowledged the progress made by the Programme for Market Modernization and Management (PROMOGEM). According to Marie Rose Faye, he noted that PROMOGEM has already developed a robust strategic development plan spanning from 2025 to 2029.

This ambitious plan aims to revitalize 528 existing markets and oversee the construction of 67 new, contemporary market facilities, as outlined in the official government statement.

Prime Minister Sonko has proposed innovative solutions to endow PROMOGEM with enhanced functional agility, improved budgetary efficiency, and a greater capacity to attract novel funding mechanisms, Ms. Faye conveyed.

Ousmane Sonko specifically suggested an institutional transformation for PROMOGEM, envisioning its evolution into an entity possessing full administrative and financial autonomy. This transformation would be supported by a substantial financial allocation of 57.5 billion CFA francs over four years, drawn from the state’s public investment plan.

Furthermore, he has directed the relevant ministers, including those responsible for Industry and Commerce, and Finance and Budget, to devise and implement a comprehensive network of modern markets spanning the entire national territory.

Mr. Sonko also urged these ministers to ensure the rigorous and effective management of these commercial facilities by both local territorial authorities and the national private sector.