Dakar — Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has highlighted the severe deterioration and safety hazards plaguing the country’s markets, calling for the establishment of an independent administrative body to oversee their management and revitalization.
decades of neglect and rising fire risks
During a recent Council of Ministers meeting, the Prime Minister drew attention to the advanced state of disrepair and major security risks afflicting Senegalese market infrastructure. According to government spokesperson Marie Rose Faye, the situation has worsened over the past decade, with 53 markets across the nation suffering at least one devastating fire between 2013 and 2024.
a comprehensive plan to rebuild and expand
To address these challenges, the government’s Market Modernization and Management Program (PROMOGEM) has outlined a bold five-year strategy (2025–2029) to overhaul the country’s commercial landscape. The plan includes restructuring all 528 existing markets and constructing 67 new modern market facilities, ensuring safer and more efficient trading environments for vendors and consumers alike.
boosting efficiency and financial sustainability
Sonko emphasized the need for PROMOGEM to evolve into a fully autonomous institution with enhanced operational agility, greater budgetary efficiency, and the ability to secure innovative funding. His proposal includes granting the program a 57.5 billion CFA francs allocation over four years, drawn from the state’s public investment plan.
collaboration for nationwide transformation
The Prime Minister has tasked key ministers—including those overseeing Industry, Commerce, Finance, and the Budget—with spearheading this initiative. Their mission: to design and implement a nationwide network of modern markets, ensuring robust oversight by local authorities and private sector partners to maintain high operational standards.
