Senegal’s prime minister announces a major market overhaul plan

Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has raised serious concerns regarding the condition of public markets across Senegal, highlighting the significant dilapidation of numerous commercial facilities, many of which date back to the 1970s.

During his address, the head of government detailed the inherent safety hazards prevalent in these trading areas. He underscored a troubling statistic: from 2013 to 2024, a total of fifty-three markets nationwide experienced devastating fires.

Confronted by this critical situation, Ousmane Sonko championed the Programme for Market Modernization and Management (PROMOGEM). Its strategic blueprint for 2025-2029 outlines an ambitious initiative: to extensively restructure 528 existing markets and to build 67 brand-new, modern market complexes.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister advocated for a comprehensive institutional reform of PROMOGEM, aiming to bolster its administrative and financial independence. To support this vital undertaking, the government has allocated an investment of 57.5 billion CFA francs over a four-year period, integrated within the State’s Public Investment Plan.

According to the government leader, the overarching goal is to establish a sophisticated network of markets spanning the entire national territory of Senegal, implemented through a stringent management framework that will involve both local authorities and the national private sector.