Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, has revealed that 245 stalled infrastructure projects across the country represent dormant assets worth 279 billion CFA francs. Speaking at a high-level interministerial meeting in Dakar on Thursday, he outlined findings from a national diagnostic report on abandoned or underutilized public infrastructure.

The assessment, mandated by the Council of Ministers during its April 15 session, identified projects ranging from completed facilities left idle to ongoing construction sites brought to a standstill. Financial constraints emerged as the primary obstacle, with technical and administrative hurdles also contributing to delays and incomplete delivery.

financial bottlenecks and stalled progress

According to Sonko, the lack of available funding is the most significant factor behind the paralysis affecting these 245 projects. Some initiatives face technical roadblocks, while others remain disconnected from vital utility networks—such as water and electricity—due to inadequate planning. “It is unacceptable to invest in infrastructure without ensuring its operational readiness,” he stated, stressing that poor foresight has led to substantial financial losses.

measures to unlock stalled assets

To address the crisis, Sonko announced the establishment of a dedicated committee under the Prime Minister’s Office tasked with completing and finalizing the inventory of stalled projects. He also called for a more comprehensive review, acknowledging that the current assessment may not capture all dormant assets.

The Prime Minister emphasized the need for ministries to anticipate technical challenges in connecting new infrastructure to existing hydraulic and electrical networks. He condemned what he described as “negligence, incompetence, and systemic laxity”—factors he linked directly to project delays and failures. “Zero tolerance must be enforced to curb these recurring issues,” he declared, warning that such practices drain public resources and undermine national development.