Senegal PM Urges ‘Sacrifices’ as Economic Crisis Deepens

Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko urged citizens on Saturday to accept “sacrifices” in order to achieve an economic recovery within two to three years, signalling the severity of the country’s financial crisis.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Sonko were elected in 2024 on promises to reduce debt and restore economic growth after what they described as years of mismanagement under former President Macky Sall.

The West African nation faces a budget deficit of 14 percent of GDP and public debt estimated at 132 percent of GDP at the end of last year.

In recent weeks, the government has introduced new taxes on tobacco, alcohol, gambling, and widely used digital money transfers.

“I am asking the Senegalese people for a sacrifice during two or three years, and I know you will accept this sacrifice,” Sonko said during a meeting of his Pastef party near Dakar.

He added that the government was also cutting back on its own spending, including suspensions of vehicle purchases, official trips, and workshops.

In August, Sonko unveiled an economic recovery plan for the highly indebted nation, emphasising a shift toward greater domestic funding.

The call for austerity comes as unemployment is estimated at 20 percent, with 36 percent of the population living in poverty.