The Senegalese government has announced plans to close 19 public agencies employing nearly 1,000 workers as part of a broader effort to reduce spending and address the country’s rising debt burden.
According to a statement issued after the weekly Council of Ministers meeting on March 4, the closures are expected to save at least 55 billion CFA francs (about $97.95 million) over the next three years. Officials said the move is part of a wider fiscal reform programme aimed at improving efficiency in public spending.
The agencies slated for closure currently employ 982 people and were allocated a combined 28.051 billion CFA francs ($49.96 million) in the 2025 budget. Their annual payroll is estimated at 9.227 billion CFA francs, while their total debt stood at 2.6 billion CFA francs at the end of 2024.
Authorities did not disclose the names of the affected agencies.
Senegal’s Mountain Debt
The decision comes as Senegal struggles with mounting public debt. According to the International Monetary Fund, the country’s debt reached 132% of gross domestic product (GDP) by the end of 2024. The IMF also suspended its lending programme to Senegal after discovering that the country had previously misreported some of its debt figures.
Officials said the government will also implement measures to strengthen financial oversight, improve evaluations of public institutions, harmonise salary structures, and ensure more efficient use of public funds.
Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has rejected suggestions that the reforms amount to a broader restructuring programme despite Senegal’s challenging debt repayment schedule.
In recent months, the government has increasingly relied on the regional debt market to meet its financing needs as it seeks to stabilise the economy and restore fiscal credibility.
