Premier ministre Ousmane Sonko recently addressed the critical issue of market management during a Council of Ministers meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. He highlighted the severe dilapidation of Sénégal’s commercial facilities, many of which were constructed in the 1970s, noting their advanced age and significant safety hazards.
The head of government presented a stark statistic: between 2013 and 2024, a staggering fifty-three markets experienced at least one fire incident, underscoring the profound vulnerability within the sector. His diagnostic assessment pinpointed numerous challenges beyond governance, spanning technical, infrastructural, organizational, environmental, and sanitary domains.
The Premier ministre also acknowledged the ongoing efforts under the Programme for Market Modernization and Management (PROMOGEM), whose strategic development plan is set to run from 2025 to 2029. Mr. Sonko emphasized that this comprehensive plan aims to overhaul 528 existing markets and facilitate the construction of 67 new, state-of-the-art facilities. He detailed the primary objectives of the pilot phase, while also acknowledging inherent limitations.
57.5 billion FCFA over four years and institutional reform
To enhance the structure’s operational agility, improve budgetary efficiency, and boost its capacity to attract innovative funding, Mr. Sonko advocated for several solutions. These include an institutional transformation into an entity endowed with administrative and financial autonomy, a substantial financial allocation of 57.5 billion FCFA over four years from the State’s Public Investment Plan (PIP), and a thorough revision of the existing legal framework.
In line with these objectives, Ousmane Sonko directed the Minister of Industry and Commerce, in collaboration with the Minister of Finance and Budget and the Minister of Urbanism, Territorial Collectivities, and Spatial Planning, to conceptualize and implement a national network of modern markets. He further stressed the importance of rigorous management for these commercial facilities, to be overseen jointly by local collectivities and the national private sector.
The head of government presented a stark statistic: between 2013 and 2024, a staggering fifty-three markets experienced at least one fire incident, underscoring the profound vulnerability within the sector. His diagnostic assessment pinpointed numerous challenges beyond governance, spanning technical, infrastructural, organizational, environmental, and sanitary domains.
The Premier ministre also acknowledged the ongoing efforts under the Programme for Market Modernization and Management (PROMOGEM), whose strategic development plan is set to run from 2025 to 2029. Mr. Sonko emphasized that this comprehensive plan aims to overhaul 528 existing markets and facilitate the construction of 67 new, state-of-the-art facilities. He detailed the primary objectives of the pilot phase, while also acknowledging inherent limitations.
57.5 billion FCFA over four years and institutional reform
To enhance the structure’s operational agility, improve budgetary efficiency, and boost its capacity to attract innovative funding, Mr. Sonko advocated for several solutions. These include an institutional transformation into an entity endowed with administrative and financial autonomy, a substantial financial allocation of 57.5 billion FCFA over four years from the State’s Public Investment Plan (PIP), and a thorough revision of the existing legal framework.
In line with these objectives, Ousmane Sonko directed the Minister of Industry and Commerce, in collaboration with the Minister of Finance and Budget and the Minister of Urbanism, Territorial Collectivities, and Spatial Planning, to conceptualize and implement a national network of modern markets. He further stressed the importance of rigorous management for these commercial facilities, to be overseen jointly by local collectivities and the national private sector.
