Ousmane sonko reveals ambitious plan for Senegal market modernization
During a Council of Ministers meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko brought to light the critical state of market infrastructure across Senegal. He highlighted that the nation’s commercial facilities, many of which date back to the 1970s, are severely dilapidated and present significant safety hazards to vendors and shoppers alike.
The head of government presented a stark statistic, revealing that between 2013 and 2024, a staggering fifty-three markets experienced one or more fire incidents, underscoring the extreme vulnerability within this vital economic sector. His comprehensive diagnostic analysis pinpointed a range of challenges, extending beyond governance to encompass technical, infrastructural, organizational, environmental, and sanitary deficiencies.
Prime Minister Sonko also acknowledged ongoing efforts under the Market Modernization and Management Program (PROMOGEM), whose strategic development plan spans the period 2025-2029. According to Mr. Sonko, this ambitious plan aims to revitalize 528 existing markets and facilitate the construction of 67 brand-new, modern commercial hubs. He outlined the core objectives of the pilot phase, while also addressing the various constraints encountered during its implementation.
57.5 billion FCFA over four years and a crucial institutional reform
To inject functional agility, enhance budgetary efficiency, and boost the capacity to attract innovative financing, the Prime Minister advocated for several key solutions. These include a significant institutional transformation, converting the current structure into an entity endowed with administrative and financial autonomy. Furthermore, a substantial financial allocation of 57.5 billion FCFA is earmarked over four years from the State’s Public Investment Plan (PIP), alongside a necessary revision of the existing legal framework.
In line with these objectives, Ousmane Sonko directed the Minister of Industry and Commerce, in collaboration with the Minister of Finance and Budget and the Minister of Urban Planning, Territorial Collectivities, and Land Use Planning, to devise and implement a nationwide network of modern markets. He stressed the importance of ensuring the rigorous management of these commercial assets by local authorities and the national private sector.
The head of government presented a stark statistic, revealing that between 2013 and 2024, a staggering fifty-three markets experienced one or more fire incidents, underscoring the extreme vulnerability within this vital economic sector. His comprehensive diagnostic analysis pinpointed a range of challenges, extending beyond governance to encompass technical, infrastructural, organizational, environmental, and sanitary deficiencies.
Prime Minister Sonko also acknowledged ongoing efforts under the Market Modernization and Management Program (PROMOGEM), whose strategic development plan spans the period 2025-2029. According to Mr. Sonko, this ambitious plan aims to revitalize 528 existing markets and facilitate the construction of 67 brand-new, modern commercial hubs. He outlined the core objectives of the pilot phase, while also addressing the various constraints encountered during its implementation.
57.5 billion FCFA over four years and a crucial institutional reform
To inject functional agility, enhance budgetary efficiency, and boost the capacity to attract innovative financing, the Prime Minister advocated for several key solutions. These include a significant institutional transformation, converting the current structure into an entity endowed with administrative and financial autonomy. Furthermore, a substantial financial allocation of 57.5 billion FCFA is earmarked over four years from the State’s Public Investment Plan (PIP), alongside a necessary revision of the existing legal framework.
In line with these objectives, Ousmane Sonko directed the Minister of Industry and Commerce, in collaboration with the Minister of Finance and Budget and the Minister of Urban Planning, Territorial Collectivities, and Land Use Planning, to devise and implement a nationwide network of modern markets. He stressed the importance of ensuring the rigorous management of these commercial assets by local authorities and the national private sector.