Unveiling the high cost of living in Dakar: a surprising price comparison with Paris
In a nation grappling with persistent inflation, a stark reality has reignited discussions about the high cost of living in Senegal. A widely shared video, originally created by French content producer Simon Labas and uploaded in December 2025, has recently resurfaced across social media platforms. This compelling video meticulously compares a range of product prices observed in Dakar retailers with those for similar items found in Paris.
The analysis begins with whole chicken, which commands a price of 2,610 F CFA per kilogram in the Senegalese capital. This figure notably surpasses the equivalent Parisian price of 2,300 F CFA. Butter from the popular Elle & Vire brand exhibits a similar trend, retailing at 2,990 F CFA in Dakar compared to approximately 1,990 F CFA in France. Cooking oil, a fundamental staple in household budgets, is priced at 6,990 F CFA in Senegal, while across the Mediterranean, it costs around 6,000 F CFA.
The disparity becomes even more pronounced for other everyday essentials. A packet of Chocapic cereal is listed at 5,250 F CFA on Dakar shelves, a cost more than double the Parisian equivalent, which stands at an estimated 1,990 F CFA. Similarly, a bottle of Soupline fabric softener adds to this pattern, priced at 9,990 F CFA in Dakar versus 5,600 F CFA in Paris—nearly twice as much.
Adding to these existing price differences is an upcoming logistical burden set to further impact import costs. The shipping giant Maersk has announced plans to implement a handling surcharge of 250 dollars per container, effective May 1, 2026. This translates to roughly 151,250 F CFA, with potential increases up to 211,750 F CFA in certain scenarios. Such an additional charge is expected to mechanically elevate the cost of imported goods, ultimately passing these increased expenses onto Senegalese consumers.
The renewed circulation of this price comparison has triggered a wave of reactions from Senegalese internet users, many expressing surprise at the significant disparities highlighted. Beyond food products, discussions frequently turn to housing and fuel as particularly burdensome expenditures for households, especially in light of recent fuel price hikes implemented by authorities.
This revealing comparison underscores a broader regional context where Senegal is consistently ranked among African nations with the highest cost of living. A 2024 assessment by Countryeconomy, previously cited by Jeune Afrique, positioned the country as the second most expensive on the continent, trailing only Côte d’Ivoire.
The analysis begins with whole chicken, which commands a price of 2,610 F CFA per kilogram in the Senegalese capital. This figure notably surpasses the equivalent Parisian price of 2,300 F CFA. Butter from the popular Elle & Vire brand exhibits a similar trend, retailing at 2,990 F CFA in Dakar compared to approximately 1,990 F CFA in France. Cooking oil, a fundamental staple in household budgets, is priced at 6,990 F CFA in Senegal, while across the Mediterranean, it costs around 6,000 F CFA.
The disparity becomes even more pronounced for other everyday essentials. A packet of Chocapic cereal is listed at 5,250 F CFA on Dakar shelves, a cost more than double the Parisian equivalent, which stands at an estimated 1,990 F CFA. Similarly, a bottle of Soupline fabric softener adds to this pattern, priced at 9,990 F CFA in Dakar versus 5,600 F CFA in Paris—nearly twice as much.
Adding to these existing price differences is an upcoming logistical burden set to further impact import costs. The shipping giant Maersk has announced plans to implement a handling surcharge of 250 dollars per container, effective May 1, 2026. This translates to roughly 151,250 F CFA, with potential increases up to 211,750 F CFA in certain scenarios. Such an additional charge is expected to mechanically elevate the cost of imported goods, ultimately passing these increased expenses onto Senegalese consumers.
The renewed circulation of this price comparison has triggered a wave of reactions from Senegalese internet users, many expressing surprise at the significant disparities highlighted. Beyond food products, discussions frequently turn to housing and fuel as particularly burdensome expenditures for households, especially in light of recent fuel price hikes implemented by authorities.
This revealing comparison underscores a broader regional context where Senegal is consistently ranked among African nations with the highest cost of living. A 2024 assessment by Countryeconomy, previously cited by Jeune Afrique, positioned the country as the second most expensive on the continent, trailing only Côte d’Ivoire.