Dakar’s surprising cost of living: daily essentials pricier than in Paris
A widely circulated video has shed light on the surprisingly high cost of living in Dakar, where everyday items like chicken, priced at 2,610 F CFA per kilo, exceed costs in Paris. This stark comparison highlights the significant challenge to purchasing power for residents in Senegal.
Despite being a nation with economic struggles, Senegal faces some of the highest living expenses across Africa. This reality is underscored by a viral video, recently resurfacing, that draws a direct comparison between consumer prices in Dakar and Paris, putting the spotlight on a new wave of price increases impacting Senegalese households.
Originally posted in December 2025 by French TikToker Simon Labas, the video meticulously compares the cost of various common household products between Senegal and France. It has garnered renewed attention on TikTok and X in recent days, coinciding with a general surge in prices for Senegalese consumers, including essential fuel costs.
Striking price differences emerge
In his compelling presentation, Simon Labas examines the prices of several daily necessities. A whole chicken, for instance, sells for 2,610 F CFA per kilogram in Senegal, while its equivalent in France costs approximately 2,300 F CFA. Similarly, a pack of Elle & Vire butter shows a comparable disparity: 2,990 F CFA in Dakar versus roughly 1,990 F CFA in Paris. This trend extends to cooking oil, a fundamental ingredient in Senegalese cuisine, which is priced at 6,990 F CFA in Senegal compared to an estimated 6,000 F CFA in France.
The gap widens considerably for less essential, often imported, goods. A box of Chocapic cereal, available for about 1,990 F CFA in France, retails for a staggering 5,250 F CFA in Senegal—more than double the price. Fabric softener, such as Soupline, follows a similar pattern, costing 9,990 F CFA in Dakar against an equivalent of 5,600 F CFA in Paris. These substantial price differences have left many Senegalese internet users astonished after viewing the viral content.
Beyond basic consumer products, the elevated cost of living in Dakar also encompasses housing and fuel, with recent government adjustments leading to further price hikes. This isn’t an isolated issue; a 2024 ranking by Countryeconomy positioned Senegal as the second most expensive country on the African continent, trailing only Côte d’Ivoire. This underscores the persistent challenge of the Dakar cost of living for its residents.
