Dakar’s sky-high cost of living: essentials more expensive than in Paris
A viral video has reignited debates about Dakar’s exorbitant living costs, revealing that everyday items like chicken—priced at 2,610 F CFA per kilogram—are now more expensive than in Paris, deepening concerns over purchasing power for Senegalese households.
Staple goods at Parisian levels
In a widely shared comparison, a French content creator highlighted stark disparities in everyday product prices between Dakar and Paris. Chicken, a dietary staple, costs 2,610 F CFA per kilogram in Senegal compared to 2,300 F CFA in France. Butter follows a similar trend, with a popular brand priced at 2,990 F CFA in Dakar versus 1,990 F CFA in Paris. Even cooking oil, a fundamental ingredient in Senegalese cuisine, is more expensive in Dakar at 6,990 F CFA compared to 6,000 F CFA in the French capital.
Luxury items reveal even wider gaps
The price divide widens dramatically for non-essential products. A box of Chocapic cereal costs 5,250 F CFA in Dakar—more than double the 1,990 F CFA price tag in Paris. Fabric softener, another household staple, is sold at 9,990 F CFA in Senegal, nearly twice the 5,600 F CFA price in France. These glaring discrepancies have stunned many Senegalese viewers who watched the video.
Housing and fuel add to the burden
The high cost of living in Dakar extends beyond groceries. Rent and fuel prices have recently surged following government adjustments, compounding the financial strain on households. This isn’t an isolated issue: a 2024 ranking by Countryeconomy placed Senegal as the second most expensive country in Africa to live in, trailing only Côte d’Ivoire.
