Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko brought the critical issue of market management to the forefront during the Council of Ministers meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. He observed that Senegal’s commercial infrastructure, largely constructed in the 1970s, is suffering from severe dilapidation, presenting significant safety and security hazards across the nation.
The head of government disclosed a revealing statistic: a staggering fifty-three markets experienced one or more fire incidents between 2013 and 2024, underscoring the inherent vulnerabilities within the sector. His in-depth diagnostic analysis pinpointed challenges extending beyond governance to encompass technical, infrastructural, organizational, environmental, and sanitary aspects.
The Prime Minister also highlighted ongoing efforts through the Program for Market Modernization and Management (PROMOGEM), whose strategic development plan spans from 2025 to 2029. Mr. Sonko emphasized that this ambitious initiative aims to revitalize 528 existing markets and facilitate the construction of 67 new, contemporary commercial hubs. He presented the core strategies for the pilot phase, acknowledging various implementation constraints encountered.
57.5 billion FCFA over four years and institutional reform
To enhance the structure’s operational agility, budget efficiency, and capacity to attract innovative funding, Prime Minister Sonko advocated for several solutions. These include a crucial institutional transformation, granting the entity administrative and financial autonomy, a substantial financial allocation of 57.5 billion FCFA over four years from the State’s Public Investment Plan (PIP), and a comprehensive revision of the existing legal framework.
In this context, Ousmane Sonko instructed the Minister of Industry and Commerce, in collaboration with the Minister of Finance and Budget and the Minister of Urbanism, Local Authorities, and Spatial Planning, to develop and implement a modern market network across the entire national territory. He stressed the importance of ensuring rigorous management of these commercial facilities by local authorities and the national private sector.
The head of government disclosed a revealing statistic: a staggering fifty-three markets experienced one or more fire incidents between 2013 and 2024, underscoring the inherent vulnerabilities within the sector. His in-depth diagnostic analysis pinpointed challenges extending beyond governance to encompass technical, infrastructural, organizational, environmental, and sanitary aspects.
The Prime Minister also highlighted ongoing efforts through the Program for Market Modernization and Management (PROMOGEM), whose strategic development plan spans from 2025 to 2029. Mr. Sonko emphasized that this ambitious initiative aims to revitalize 528 existing markets and facilitate the construction of 67 new, contemporary commercial hubs. He presented the core strategies for the pilot phase, acknowledging various implementation constraints encountered.
57.5 billion FCFA over four years and institutional reform
To enhance the structure’s operational agility, budget efficiency, and capacity to attract innovative funding, Prime Minister Sonko advocated for several solutions. These include a crucial institutional transformation, granting the entity administrative and financial autonomy, a substantial financial allocation of 57.5 billion FCFA over four years from the State’s Public Investment Plan (PIP), and a comprehensive revision of the existing legal framework.
In this context, Ousmane Sonko instructed the Minister of Industry and Commerce, in collaboration with the Minister of Finance and Budget and the Minister of Urbanism, Local Authorities, and Spatial Planning, to develop and implement a modern market network across the entire national territory. He stressed the importance of ensuring rigorous management of these commercial facilities by local authorities and the national private sector.
