Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko recently addressed the critical issue of market management during the Council of Ministers meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. His assessment revealed a troubling state of Senegal’s commercial facilities, many of which date back to the 1970s. These markets are suffering from advanced decay and present significant safety hazards to vendors and shoppers alike.
The head of government disclosed a stark statistic underscoring the sector’s vulnerability: a staggering fifty-three markets experienced one or more fires between 2013 and 2024. This alarming trend highlights deep-seated challenges. A comprehensive diagnostic analysis conducted by the Prime Minister’s office identified critical issues extending beyond mere governance, encompassing technical, infrastructural, organizational, environmental, and sanitary deficiencies.
The Prime Minister also highlighted ongoing efforts through the Programme for Market Modernization and Management (PROMOGEM), whose strategic development plan spans from 2025 to 2029. Mr. Sonko emphasized that this ambitious plan aims to completely restructure 528 existing markets and facilitate the construction of 67 brand-new, modern facilities across the nation. He presented the key priorities for the initial pilot phase, while also acknowledging the constraints encountered in its implementation.
57.5 billion FCFA over four years and institutional reform
To inject functional agility, enhance budgetary efficiency, and boost the capacity to attract innovative financing, the Prime Minister advocated for several solutions. These include an institutional transformation, converting the existing structure into an entity with administrative and financial autonomy. A substantial financial allocation of 57.5 billion FCFA over four years has been earmarked from the State’s Public Investment Plan (PIP), alongside a crucial revision of the current legal framework governing market operations.
In light of these objectives, Ousmane Sonko instructed the Minister of Industry and Commerce, in close collaboration with the Minister of Finance and Budget and the Minister of Urban Planning, Territorial Communities, and Spatial Development, to conceptualize and execute a nationwide network of modern markets. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of ensuring rigorous management of these vital commercial infrastructures by both local territorial communities and the national private sector.
The head of government disclosed a stark statistic underscoring the sector’s vulnerability: a staggering fifty-three markets experienced one or more fires between 2013 and 2024. This alarming trend highlights deep-seated challenges. A comprehensive diagnostic analysis conducted by the Prime Minister’s office identified critical issues extending beyond mere governance, encompassing technical, infrastructural, organizational, environmental, and sanitary deficiencies.
The Prime Minister also highlighted ongoing efforts through the Programme for Market Modernization and Management (PROMOGEM), whose strategic development plan spans from 2025 to 2029. Mr. Sonko emphasized that this ambitious plan aims to completely restructure 528 existing markets and facilitate the construction of 67 brand-new, modern facilities across the nation. He presented the key priorities for the initial pilot phase, while also acknowledging the constraints encountered in its implementation.
57.5 billion FCFA over four years and institutional reform
To inject functional agility, enhance budgetary efficiency, and boost the capacity to attract innovative financing, the Prime Minister advocated for several solutions. These include an institutional transformation, converting the existing structure into an entity with administrative and financial autonomy. A substantial financial allocation of 57.5 billion FCFA over four years has been earmarked from the State’s Public Investment Plan (PIP), alongside a crucial revision of the current legal framework governing market operations.
In light of these objectives, Ousmane Sonko instructed the Minister of Industry and Commerce, in close collaboration with the Minister of Finance and Budget and the Minister of Urban Planning, Territorial Communities, and Spatial Development, to conceptualize and execute a nationwide network of modern markets. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of ensuring rigorous management of these vital commercial infrastructures by both local territorial communities and the national private sector.
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