The Prime Minister of Senegal, Ousmane Sonko, has unveiled a comprehensive strategic roadmap aimed at profoundly transforming the nation’s commercial infrastructure. This ambitious undertaking is a direct response to the severe dilapidation of existing market facilities, many of which date back to the 1970s, and a concerning track record of 53 market fires recorded across the country between 2013 and 2024. To address these critical issues, the head of government is integrating the Programme for the Modernization and Management of Markets (PROMOGEM) into his administration’s 2025-2029 Strategic Plan. This significant initiative targets the renovation of 528 existing markets and the construction of 67 new, modern commercial complexes, supported by a substantial public investment of 57.5 billion CFA francs allocated over a four-year period.
Key national priorities: agricultural campaign, flood prevention, and digital sovereignty
Regarding the upcoming 2026-2027 agricultural campaign, the Prime Minister has called for immediate corrective measures to overcome shortcomings in beneficiary targeting, enhance seed autonomy, and resolve storage constraints. While a complete reform of subsidies is anticipated, the immediate focus is on accelerating digitalization efforts in pilot zones such as Tivaouane and Nioro. In the realm of flood management, an urgent directive has been issued for the validation of communal emergency plans and the organization of an inter-ministerial simulation exercise, slated to occur before June 15, 2026. Lastly, concerning the strategic Sénégal Connect Park project, which stands 95% complete but is currently hampered by contractual disputes, the government has demanded the prompt submission of a revised closing timeline to the African Development Bank (AfDB).
