At Wednesday’s Council of Ministers meeting, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko outlined sweeping reforms to overhaul public markets, boost agriculture, and fast-track digital transformation across government services. With a 57.5 billion FCFA investment plan on the table, the government is doubling down on efficiency and tighter inter-ministerial coordination.
Revamping public markets nationwide
Senegal’s market infrastructure is in urgent need of modernization, according to the Prime Minister. Many facilities built since the 1970s now face severe degradation, posing safety risks and operational inefficiencies. Between 2013 and 2024, 53 markets suffered devastating fires, exposing deep structural vulnerabilities.
The government is rolling out the Programme de Modernisation et de Gestion des Marchés (PROMOGEM), a strategic initiative targeting the overhaul of 528 existing markets and construction of 67 new state-of-the-art facilities. To accelerate progress, Sonko announced a 57.5 billion FCFA public investment package over the next four years and called for institutional reforms to grant PROMOGEM greater financial and administrative autonomy.
The initiative emphasizes a collaborative governance model involving local authorities and private sector partners to ensure sustainable market management across Senegal.
Agriculture gets a digital and transparent boost
Turning to agriculture, the Prime Minister highlighted strides in certified fertilizer and seed production, notably through the Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (ISRA) and local cooperatives. Yet critical gaps remain, including incomplete seed autonomy, uneven access to agricultural credit, and storage capacity bottlenecks.
Sonko underscored the need to expedite digital integration in farming, pointing to successful pilot programs in Tivaouane and Nioro. He also demanded stricter cost transparency for agricultural inputs and equitable distribution nationwide to ensure farmers receive timely support.
Flood preparedness ahead of the rainy season
With the rainy season approaching, Sonko urged an inter-ministerial mobilization to mitigate flood risks. He called for urgent dredging operations, drainage infrastructure inspections, and pre-positioning of emergency response equipment. Local emergency plans must be updated, early warning systems strengthened, and a cross-department simulation exercise scheduled before June 15, 2026.
Senegal Connect Park: clearing hurdles to digital sovereignty
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the strategic importance of the Senegal Connect Park—a cornerstone for national digital sovereignty, innovation, and economic growth. Despite hitting a 95% physical completion rate, financial and contractual delays have stalled its finalization.
Sonko directed relevant agencies to submit a revised realistic timeline to the Banque Africaine de Développement (BAD) and accelerate negotiations with the Banque Ouest-Africaine de Développement (BOAD). He also emphasized resolving concession terms to unlock this pivotal project.