The Senegalese Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, has restated the commitment of the government towards easing the economic burden on Senegalese citizens. He highlighted key initiatives aimed at improving access to necessities, housing, and healthcare
Sonko made this reaffirmation when addressing the parliamentarians, emphasising that controlling the cost of living was among the top priorities in his administration.
In response to a question from MP Coumba Ndiaye, Sonko noted the government’s recent move to reduce the price of a kilogram of ordinary broken rice by 60 CFA francs, an initiative that has been well received by many households. He hinted that further reductions could be on the horizon, stating, “It would be possible to further reduce the price of rice.”
Sonko explained that although all taxes on rice have been eliminated, the product’s final cost remains high due to inefficiencies in the distribution chain. He said that “The government has already eliminated all taxes on rice, but the distribution chain remains too long, with too many intermediaries. This directly impacts the final price paid by consumers.”he said.
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To address this, the government is exploring the possibility of sourcing rice directly from suppliers in India. Ongoing discussions between Dakar and New Delhi could pave the way for additional price reductions.
Beyond price cuts, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to tackle price speculation. “After lowering prices, our goal is to avoid any unjustified increases. That is why we have recruited volunteers responsible for price monitoring, capable of reporting any abnormal increases,” he said.
Also speaking was the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock, Mabouba Diagne, spoke on the government’s efforts to support farmers. He highlighted plans to improve access to seeds, promote year-round farming, and boost agricultural productivity as part of broader food security and economic development goals.
