Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has issued a stark warning concerning the dilapidated state of Senegal’s markets, emphasizing the advanced age and deterioration of numerous commercial infrastructures, many of which have stood since the 1970s.

In his official address, the head of government highlighted the pervasive security risks facing these vibrant trading spaces. He revealed a concerning statistic: between 2013 and 2024, fifty-three markets across the nation were ravaged by fires, underscoring the urgent need for intervention.

To address this critical situation, Ousmane Sonko presented the Programme for Market Modernization and Management (PROMOGEM). Its strategic blueprint for 2025-2029 details plans for the extensive restructuring of 528 existing markets, alongside the ambitious construction of 67 new, state-of-the-art commercial hubs.

The Prime Minister also strongly advocated for an institutional reform of PROMOGEM, aiming to grant it enhanced administrative and financial autonomy. As part of this transformative drive, a substantial investment of 57.5 billion CFA francs has been earmarked over four years, sourced from the State’s Public Investment Plan.

According to the government leader, the ultimate goal is to forge a modern, efficient network of markets spanning the entire national territory. This initiative will be underpinned by rigorous management protocols, fostering close collaboration between local territorial collectives and the national private sector.