Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, on Saturday, November 8, called on citizens to accept “sacrifices” over the next two to three years to help the nation recover from its deepening financial crisis.
The appeal comes as Senegal faces a budget deficit of 14% of GDP and public debt reaching 132% of GDP by the end of last year. Elected in 2024 alongside President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on promises to reduce debt and restore growth, Sonko acknowledged the severity of the challenges inherited from the previous administration, which he accused of years of economic mismanagement.
Addressing members of his Pastef party near Dakar, Sonko outlined the Government’s austerity drive, including spending cuts, suspensions of vehicle purchases, and restrictions on official travel and workshops.
Recent measures have also seen new taxes on tobacco, alcohol, gambling, and digital money transfers. The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to its August 2025 economic recovery plan, which prioritises domestic resource mobilisation to ease dependency on foreign borrowing. With unemployment hovering around 20% and 36% of citizens living in poverty, Sonko urged national unity and patience to navigate the difficult path toward economic revival.