Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko addressed the critical issue of market management during the Council of Ministers meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. He highlighted a concerning reality: Senegal’s commercial infrastructures, many dating back to the 1970s, are severely dilapidated and pose significant safety hazards to users and vendors alike.
The head of government presented a stark statistic, underscoring the sector’s vulnerability: between 2013 and 2024, a staggering fifty-three (53) markets experienced one or more fire incidents. His comprehensive diagnostic analysis revealed multifaceted challenges extending beyond governance to include technical, infrastructural, organizational, environmental, and sanitary deficiencies.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister acknowledged ongoing efforts within the framework of the Market Modernization and Management Program (PROMOGEM), whose strategic development plan spans from 2025 to 2029. Mr. Sonko emphasized that this ambitious plan aims to revitalize 528 existing markets and facilitate the construction of 67 new, modern commercial spaces. He detailed the primary objectives of the pilot phase, while also recognizing the various constraints encountered in its implementation.
57.5 billion FCFA over four years and institutional reform for Senegal’s markets
To ensure the program’s success, Prime Minister Sonko advocated for strategic solutions designed to instill functional agility, enhance budgetary efficiency, and boost the capacity to secure innovative financing. Key proposals include an institutional transformation, granting the entity administrative and financial autonomy. A substantial financial allocation of 57.5 billion FCFA over four (04) years from the State’s Public Investment Plan (PIP) has been earmarked, alongside a crucial revision of the existing legal framework.
In this context, Ousmane Sonko instructed the Minister of Industry and Commerce, in close collaboration with the Minister of Finance and Budget and the Minister of Urban Planning, Local Authorities, and Spatial Planning, to meticulously design and implement a robust network of modern markets across the entire national territory. He also stressed the importance of ensuring the rigorous management of these vital commercial facilities by Local Authorities and the national private sector.
The head of government presented a stark statistic, underscoring the sector’s vulnerability: between 2013 and 2024, a staggering fifty-three (53) markets experienced one or more fire incidents. His comprehensive diagnostic analysis revealed multifaceted challenges extending beyond governance to include technical, infrastructural, organizational, environmental, and sanitary deficiencies.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister acknowledged ongoing efforts within the framework of the Market Modernization and Management Program (PROMOGEM), whose strategic development plan spans from 2025 to 2029. Mr. Sonko emphasized that this ambitious plan aims to revitalize 528 existing markets and facilitate the construction of 67 new, modern commercial spaces. He detailed the primary objectives of the pilot phase, while also recognizing the various constraints encountered in its implementation.
57.5 billion FCFA over four years and institutional reform for Senegal’s markets
To ensure the program’s success, Prime Minister Sonko advocated for strategic solutions designed to instill functional agility, enhance budgetary efficiency, and boost the capacity to secure innovative financing. Key proposals include an institutional transformation, granting the entity administrative and financial autonomy. A substantial financial allocation of 57.5 billion FCFA over four (04) years from the State’s Public Investment Plan (PIP) has been earmarked, alongside a crucial revision of the existing legal framework.
In this context, Ousmane Sonko instructed the Minister of Industry and Commerce, in close collaboration with the Minister of Finance and Budget and the Minister of Urban Planning, Local Authorities, and Spatial Planning, to meticulously design and implement a robust network of modern markets across the entire national territory. He also stressed the importance of ensuring the rigorous management of these vital commercial facilities by Local Authorities and the national private sector.
Prime minister ousmane sonko unveils extensive plan to modernize Senegal’s markets