Senegal’s infrastructure drive gathers momentum under prime minister Ousmane Sonko
Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko convened a high-level interministerial council on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the Presidential Administrative Building in Dakar to address critical infrastructure challenges. Following an exhaustive assessment, the government identified 245 public projects and assets facing severe financial, legal, technical, and operational hurdles, with total investments exceeding several trillion CFA francs.
Unlocking stalled assets worth trillions
The audit revealed 30 completed but unutilized infrastructures, 25 of which remain paralyzed, representing a frozen investment of 279 billion CFA francs. Fifteen of these projects have been designated as high-priority due to their economic significance and strategic importance.
Additionally, 23 operational assets were flagged for potential recycling or enhancement, valued at 1,065 billion CFA francs. Among the ongoing projects, 94 are in progress, but 62 have come to a standstill, with a total investment of 5,227 billion CFA francs. Completing these will require an additional 973 billion CFA francs in funding.
State-owned real estate and land assets were also scrutinized, with 97 properties identified—mostly in Dakar—valued at a market price of 132 billion CFA francs.
Government responds with decisive action
In response to these findings, Prime Minister Sonko announced sweeping measures to accelerate the commissioning, completion, or optimization of these infrastructures. He instructed the Secretary-General of the Government to establish an inclusive committee under his leadership, effective immediately. This task force will conduct weekly reviews and deliver a comprehensive operational roadmap by June 30, 2026.
The committee’s mandate includes proposing solutions for project completion, defining sustainable management and operational models, and developing strategies for recycling and enhancing public assets.
Root causes of delays uncovered
The diagnostic report highlighted financial constraints as the primary obstacle. Among the stalled projects, 42 suffer from funding gaps, payment delays, or insufficient investment credits. Other challenges include technical complexities, legal disputes, and the absence of viable exploitation models.
The Prime Minister emphasized the
