Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, has called on citizens to embrace “sacrifices” over the next two to three years to help the country overcome its financial crisis. Speaking at a rally of his Pastef party near Dakar on Saturday, Sonko emphasized the need for collective effort to restore economic stability.
Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, elected in 2024, pledged to reduce debt and boost growth after what they described as years of mismanagement under former President Macky Sall. Currently, Senegal faces a budget deficit of 14 percent of GDP and public debt estimated at 132 percent of GDP by the end of last year.
To address these challenges, the government has introduced new taxes on tobacco, alcohol, gambling, and popular digital money transfers, while also reducing public spending, including suspending vehicle purchases, official trips, and workshops.
“I am asking the Senegalese people for a sacrifice over the next two or three years, and I am confident you will accept it,” Sonko said.
This appeal is part of a broader economic recovery plan unveiled in August, which focuses on increasing domestic funding to reduce reliance on foreign borrowing. Senegal continues to grapple with high unemployment, currently around 20 percent, and poverty affecting 36 percent of the population.
Sonko’s remarks underscore the government’s determination to implement short-term measures aimed at stabilizing the nation’s finances and setting the stage for long-term economic growth.
