Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has ordered his prime minister to develop an urgent “action plan” aimed at revitalizing the nation’s flagging economy and finances.
This comes shortly after Faye, aged 44, secured a victory in last month’s election on a platform of radical reform, marking his historic ascent to become the youngest president in the nation’s history, despite lacking prior elected experience.
During his first cabinet meeting, President Faye directed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko to conduct a comprehensive review of existing programs and plans, with a specific focus on assessing the state of public finances, international cooperation, and public-private partnerships. The president emphasized the need for swift action, setting a deadline for the end of the month for the finalization of the action plan.
President Faye noted his commitment to instigating changes across all sectors of the economy, stating that his mandate was centered on achieving a “profound breakaway” and transformation in the country’s economic and social landscape. Senegal faces major economic challenges, with one in three of its 18 million-strong population living in poverty and an unemployment rate of approximately 20 percent. The economy has also been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the global repercussions of the Ukraine conflict.
