Senegal to Shift Focus from Foreign Debt to Local Development, Says Prime Minister Sonko

Senegal’s government is set to unveil a new development strategy on Monday aimed at reducing foreign dependence and prioritizing local resources and human capital. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko announced the plan as part of the radical changes promised by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who took office in April.

Speaking on Friday, Sonko criticized past development models, stating, “The development models that have been presented to us or applied to us so far will never be able to develop our country.” He emphasized the end of “reckless indebtedness” in favor of projects that promote sustainable, sovereign development.

During a visit to a vocational training center in cooperation with Japan, Sonko highlighted Japan’s development as a model for Senegal and other African nations. “The Japanese model is ideal for our (African) countries. We prefer to be taught how to fish rather than continue to be offered fish,” he said.

Despite having reserves of oil, gas, minerals, and fish stocks, Senegal remains one of the world’s least developed nations. The new 25-year development program is expected to address this by focusing on sustainable economic growth.

As Senegal prepares for snap elections on November 17, following the dissolution of the national assembly in September, the government’s ambitious “Senegal 2050” plan aims to reduce poverty, triple per capita income, and achieve six to seven percent annual growth. The plan is structured around eight development hubs to foster nationwide progress.

Sonko described Senegal’s economic situation as “catastrophic,” citing a budget deficit of 10.4 percent of GDP, significantly higher than the previously reported 5.5 percent. Public debt is now estimated at 76.3 percent of GDP, up from 65.9 percent, a discrepancy the government blames on manipulation of figures by the former administration of President Macky Sall. However, the previous government denies these allegations.