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Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko recently unveiled a comprehensive strategic roadmap aimed at profoundly restructuring Senegal’s commercial infrastructure. Confronted by the advanced dilapidation of facilities, many of which date back to the 1970s, and a concerning record of 53 market fires between 2013 and 2024, the head of government is spearheading the Programme for Market Modernization and Management (PROMOGEM). This initiative is a cornerstone of the government’s Strategic Plan for 2025-2029. This ambitious project targets the extensive renovation of 528 existing markets and the construction of 67 brand-new, modern commercial complexes across the nation, supported by a substantial public allocation of 57.5 billion CFA francs over a four-year period. This represents a significant investment in Senegal’s local economy and urban development, vital for West Africa news and the broader African economy today.
Addressing agricultural challenges, flood prevention, and digital infrastructure
Beyond market modernization, the Prime Minister also outlined critical directives for other key sectors. For the 2026-2027 agricultural campaign, he called for immediate corrective measures to overcome persistent issues such as inadequate targeting of beneficiaries for aid, a lack of seed autonomy, and significant storage constraints. While a comprehensive overhaul of subsidies is pending, the immediate priority is to accelerate digitalization efforts within pilot zones like Tivaouane and Nioro. Regarding flood management, an urgent directive has been issued, mandating the validation of communal emergency plans and the organization of an inter-ministerial simulation exercise, which must be completed before June 15, 2026. Finally, concerning the Sénégal Connect Park, a strategic digital project that is 95% complete but currently stalled due to contractual disagreements, the government has demanded that a revised closing timeline be submitted without delay to the African Development Bank (BAD).
