Senegal’s markets face decay: Sonko proposes autonomous governance structure

The Prime Minister of Senegal has highlighted critical deficiencies in the country’s market infrastructure, citing advanced deterioration and significant safety hazards as urgent concerns requiring immediate action.

Speaking at a government council meeting, Ousmane Sonko emphasized that the current state of commercial facilities across the nation poses both operational and security risks. Between 2013 and 2024 alone, 53 markets suffered severe damage due to multiple fire incidents, underscoring the pressing need for structural reform.

Diagnosing systemic challenges

A comprehensive assessment conducted under Sonko’s guidance revealed multifaceted issues plaguing the market ecosystem. Technical shortcomings, inadequate infrastructure, organizational inefficiencies, environmental concerns, and sanitation deficits were identified as key obstacles to sustainable commercial development.

To address these challenges, the government’s Market Modernization and Management Program (PROMOGEM) has been instrumental in advancing long-term solutions. A strategic development roadmap spanning 2025–2029 has been formulated, outlining ambitious initiatives to revitalize existing markets and expand the network.

Ambitious plans for market revitalization

The proposed strategy includes:

• Restructuring all 528 existing markets to meet modern standards
• Constructing 67 new, state-of-the-art market facilities nationwide
• Enhancing operational agility and financial efficiency within PROMOGEM
• Securing innovative funding mechanisms to sustain long-term growth

Sonko advocated for a structural transformation of PROMOGEM, transforming it into an autonomous administrative and financial entity. This new framework would be backed by a 57.5 billion CFA franc investment allocation over four years, drawn from the state’s public investment plan.

The Prime Minister has tasked key ministers—including those overseeing Industry, Commerce, Finance, and Budget—with designing and implementing a nationwide network of modern markets. He further stressed the importance of rigorous oversight by local authorities and private sector stakeholders to ensure optimal management of these facilities.