In a high-stakes economic debate, Cheikh Diba, Senegal’s Minister of Finance, revealed last Friday before the National Assembly that the Economic and Social Recovery Plan (PRES) had generated 63.4 billion CFA francs this year. These figures emerged during tense negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (FMI), prompting Waly Diouf Bodian, a key advisor to Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, to vigorously defend the government’s performance.
PRES targets 762.6 billion CFA francs in 2026 revenue
The PRES, unveiled by Prime Minister Sonko on August 1, 2024, outlines a 5,667 billion CFA francs mobilization plan for 2025-2028. For 2026 alone, the government aims to secure an additional 762.6 billion CFA francs in revenue, as outlined in the initial budget law. As of now, 63.4 billion has been collected, including 7.9 billion from customs duties, according to Diba’s presentation. With nearly 700 billion CFA francs still to be recovered, meeting the annual target remains a challenge.
The FMI is closely monitoring Senegal’s fiscal trajectory, as the country faces significant financial strain. The government’s ability to meet revenue targets will heavily influence ongoing discussions with the Bretton Woods institution regarding a potential support program.
Waly Diouf Bodian counters critical media narratives
In response to critical analyses suggesting the revenue collection pace falls far short of projections, Waly Diouf Bodian emphasized that the plan is now generating 15 to 20 billion CFA francs monthly. He highlighted that measures targeting land reform and money transfers are expected to yield even greater returns in the coming months.
The government’s performance on this front will be scrutinized this Friday during a parliamentary session focused on current affairs. Questions surrounding the PRES’s actual revenue trajectory versus the quarterly targets set in the finance law are likely to dominate discussions.