Viral footage has laid bare the staggering cost of living in Dakar, where everyday staples like chicken—priced at 2,610 F CFA per kilogram—now exceed Parisian rates, deepening concerns about Senegalese purchasing power.
A stark contrast in essentials
When comparing prices between Senegal’s capital and France’s, the disparities are eye-opening. A kilogram of whole chicken sells for 2,610 F CFA in Dakar versus the equivalent of 2,300 F CFA in Paris. Butter, too, reflects this imbalance: 2,990 F CFA in Dakar against 1,990 F CFA in the French capital. Even cooking oil, a dietary cornerstone in Senegal, costs 6,990 F CFA locally compared to 6,000 F CFA in Paris.
Non-essentials hit hardest
The price gap widens dramatically for less critical items. A box of Chocapic cereal, for instance, retails for 5,250 F CFA in Dakar—more than double the 1,990 F CFA price tag in Paris. Similarly, a bottle of Soupline fabric softener is listed at 9,990 F CFA in Dakar, whereas it costs just 5,600 F CFA in France. These revelations have left many Senegalese viewers stunned.
Broader economic strain
The housing crisis and recent fuel price hikes—announced just weeks ago—compound the burden on households. This isn’t an isolated anomaly: a 2024 ranking by Countryeconomy placed Senegal as Africa’s second most expensive country for living costs, trailing only Côte d’Ivoire.
