The President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar FAYE, chaired the weekly Council of Ministers meeting on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at the Palace of the Republic.
At the start of his address, the President informed the Council that on Thursday, July 17, 2025, he presided over the launch ceremony of the National Agenda for the Transformation of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation. He extended his warm congratulations and encouragement to the Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, the Coordinator, and members of the Support Committee, as well as the entire university community, for their inclusive efforts in initiating reforms. This shared commitment and collective patriotic engagement will enable the building of an excellent university system, a modernized higher education, research, and innovation framework that serves the national economy, social transformation, and Senegal’s sovereignty, based on our cultural potential, historical achievements, and necessary reorientations. In this spirit, and pending the presentation of the consultation conclusions and recommendations, he instructed the Prime Minister to ensure the immediate implementation of the Emergency Plan for completing construction projects, building university infrastructure, and recruiting teacher-researchers over the next three years, including 500 starting in 2025.
This comprehensive plan must include a close monitoring mechanism aligned with the flow of incoming and graduating students. To this end, the President requested the Minister of Higher Education to continue developing the Virtual University of Senegal and establishing ISEPs (Higher Institutes of Vocational Education) in all regions. He also reminded the Ministers of Higher Education and Education of the importance of immediately initiating, after a thorough analysis of 2025 results, reflections on reforming the baccalaureate examination and the LMD system, taking into account the need for professionalizing human capital and the growing importance of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Furthermore, he emphasized the urgency of finalizing, through public-private partnerships, an inclusive, coherent, and forward-looking national research and innovation policy aligned with the “Senegal 2050” vision, supported by appropriate funding mechanisms. He highlighted the significant role of the private sector, particularly private institutions, in developing higher education and research.
The President urged all stakeholders in the university community to foster, through ongoing dialogue, social stability, responsibility, solidarity, quality, equity, and excellence in the pedagogical, economic, and governance model, including financial and human resources for mobility in higher education, research, and innovation.
The President addressed the strategic monitoring of the controlled development of the water sector. The renegotiation and signing of a new Public-Private Partnership contract between the State of Senegal and the Saudi group ACWA POWER for the construction of a desalination plant on the Grande Côte, along with its associated electrical infrastructure and a strategic state stake, mark a major turning point in consolidating a sovereign, just, and prosperous Senegal. This act represents a significant milestone in transforming the water sector. He congratulated the Saudi partner, the Government, particularly the Prime Minister, responsible for renegotiating contracts and overseeing cooperation and partnerships with Gulf countries, per Presidential Directive No. 0684/PR of December 13, 2024. He also praised the remarkable government teamwork that contributed to concluding the new contract and commended the Ministers of Water, Economy, Energy, Finance, Environment, and all involved entities (notably SONES and SENELEC) for their exemplary efficiency. He instructed the Minister of Water and Sanitation to ensure the prompt launch of this state-of-the-art water project, essential for sustainably improving access to drinking water for urban and peri-urban populations, particularly in the capital.
In the same vein, the President emphasized to the Government the importance and urgency of ensuring proper drinking water supply for rural populations by:
- Accelerating the renewal of boreholes, water towers, and networks;
- Improving inclusive governance of boreholes and other water infrastructure, as well as service continuity, in collaboration with various concessionaires whose performance must be regularly evaluated.
Finally, he reminded the Government of the need to adopt, before the end of the year, the draft law on the Water Sector Regulatory Authority as part of the major reforms tied to the Senegal 2050 Vision.
The President addressed the issue of safeguarding military-designated land. On July 17, 2025, Senegal peacefully and responsibly recovered all military sites previously occupied by foreign armed forces, ending their permanent presence on national territory. He informed the Council that he visited some of the reclaimed sites on Saturday, July 19, 2025. He congratulated the Government and the Senegalese Armed Forces for their remarkable foresight, which enabled the full recovery of Senegal’s sovereignty over its entire territory under the new military cooperation policy. He emphasized the critical nature of this step in the context of appropriately allocating reclaimed sites based on:
- National defense and security imperatives;
- Leveraging their economic potential within the framework of projects and programs under the National Transformation Agenda Vision Senegal 2050.
The President addressed the modernization of markets and commercial spaces and the implementation of recommendations from the General States of Industry, Commerce, and SMEs. Improving the organization and operation of commercial activities must remain a government priority. He instructed the Ministers of Commerce and Local Authorities to accelerate the implementation of projects and programs to modernize markets and commercial spaces nationwide. He stressed the urgency of commissioning completed markets and commercial spaces, such as the Tilène market in Ziguinchor, while ensuring systematic compliance with civil protection standards and electrical installations. Additionally, he directed the Minister of Commerce to promptly implement the recommendations from the General States of Industry, Commerce, and SMEs regarding the modernization of commercial facilities. He also issued instructions to expedite the implementation of the National Program for Storage and Preservation Infrastructure, to be developed with the national private sector.
Regarding his diplomatic agenda, the President informed the Council that he will undertake a working visit to Togo on July 25, 2025, at the invitation of the President of the Council of Ministers, Faure EYADEMA. On Saturday, July 26, 2025, he will participate in the celebration of Liberia’s national holiday in Monrovia, at the invitation of President Joseph Boakai.
The Prime Minister, after highlighting the alarming findings of the public finance audit report by the Court of Auditors, announced to the Council the government’s economic recovery plan, which will be presented to the public and partners through an agenda to be communicated later. The Prime Minister addressed the issue of social and territorial equity and the acceleration of structural projects in agriculture, water, and energy. He emphasized the importance of social and territorial equity as essential factors for national cohesion and sustainable development. He expressed concern about addressing inequalities and socio-spatial imbalances affecting millions of citizens due to unemployment, poverty, isolation, disability, or belonging to vulnerable groups such as women and children. He stressed the need to structurally reduce these inequalities.
The Prime Minister stated that equity should no longer be seen as just another social policy but as a cross-cutting requirement, like environmental issues, that concerns all ministries, local authorities, and public agencies. Equity must ensure a fair distribution of opportunities, resources, and benefits from public policies, as well as the transversal participation of all economic and social actors in implementing these actions. He requested each ministry to integrate the “Equity” dimension into its sectoral policies and dialogue with partners. He urged the Minister of Family and Solidarity to take charge of equity through a National Social Equity Program (PNES) to reduce inequalities and promote the inclusion of vulnerable populations identified in the National Single Registry (RNU) and a National Territorial Equity Program (PNET) to address disparities.
Regarding the acceleration of structural projects in agriculture, water, and energy, the Prime Minister highlighted the National Agropoles Program of Senegal (PNDAS) and two major infrastructure projects in water and energy: the Mamelles desalination unit and the Sambangalou hydroelectric dam. These projects aim to strengthen economic sovereignty, secure access to essential services, and create new employment and industrialization opportunities nationwide. The PNDAS seeks to develop high-potential agro-industrial hubs by integrating agricultural production, local processing, and job creation, with five agropoles planned for balanced national coverage.
Currently, the South (Ziguinchor, Kolda) and Central (Kaolack, Fatick, Kaffrine) agropoles are under implementation, with significant funding from the State, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the European Union (EU), and the Belgian development agency (ENABEL). These two agropoles represent over 160 billion FCFA in investment and aim to create more than 350,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The North Agropole, estimated at nearly 184 billion FCFA, has received initial funding commitments from the AfDB. However, a supplementary financing agreement with the IsDB (57 billion FCFA), submitted since 2024, remains unsigned, slowing its launch. Beyond financing, challenges include national and regional governance, recruitment of strategic partners, and agricultural supply. The Prime Minister instructed the Ministers of Industry and Agriculture to conduct a comprehensive review of progress and operational constraints and submit a detailed report by August 25, 2025, at the latest.
The Mamelles desalination unit is critical given the increasing pressure on drinking water resources in Dakar. It aims to produce up to 100,000 m³ of water per day in the long term. Currently, progress is estimated at 78%, with distribution network works well underway in several areas of the capital.
The Sambangalou hydroelectric dam, a regional project under the OMVG, aims to produce 128 MW for member states. Progress stands at 38%, but civil engineering works have been suspended since March 2024.
The Prime Minister instructed the Ministers of Economy and Planning, Finance, Water, Energy, Agriculture, and Industry to work together to identify short-term solutions (payments, budget arbitration, contracting) to be submitted by September 15, 2025, and to establish enhanced monitoring supported by the BOCS. He emphasized collective mobilization to effectively relaunch these projects and meet the legitimate expectations of the population.
MINISTERIAL COMMUNICATIONS:
- The Minister of Economy, Planning, and Cooperation presented on project financing, budgeting, and debt strategy.
- The Minister of Environment and Ecological Transition presented on preparations for the 2025 reforestation campaign and its launch weekend on August 2-3, 2025.
- The Minister of Water and Sanitation presented on the weekly management of flood situations.
- The Minister of Communication, Telecommunications, and Digital Affairs presented on Senegal’s digital strategy through the deployment of the electronic mail management tool (SENGEC).
LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY TEXTS: The Council reviewed and adopted:
- The draft Sports Code relating to the Law on Physical and Sports Activities.
INDIVIDUAL MEASURES: The President of the Republic made the following decisions:
Ministry of Environment and Ecological Transition:
- Colonel Momar SOW, National Parks Conservator, payroll number 614 827/D, is appointed Director of Community Protected Marine Areas, replacing Colonel Mamadou SIDIBE.
Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications, and Digital Affairs:
- Abdoul Aziz ZOUMAROU, expert in international project management and technological innovation, is appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of Télédiffusion du Sénégal (TDS), replacing Mr. El Hadji Ibrahima Ndiaye.
Ministry of Health and Social Action:
- Mr. Alassane DIALLO, finance expert, is appointed Director of General Administration and Equipment at the Ministry of Health and Social Action, replacing Mr. Ousseynou Ngom.
Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Institutional Relations:
- Ms. Ramatoulaye NIANG, Labor and Social Security Inspector, payroll number 606 931/E, previously Director of Labor Relations and Professional Organizations, is appointed Director General of Labor and Social Security, replacing Mr. Karim CISSE, called to other duties.
- Mr. Mouhamed Mactar LOUM, Labor and Social Security Inspector, payroll number 604 462/J, previously Coordinator of the Labor and Social Security Inspections Coordination Unit at the Directorate General of Labor and Social Security, is appointed Director of Labor Relations and Professional Organizations, replacing Ms. Ramatoulaye NIANG.
Ministry of National Education:
- Mr. Papa Malick NDAO, Principal Senior Civil Administrator, payroll number 516 360/M, is appointed Secretary General of the Ministry of National Education, replacing Ms. Khady Diop MBODJ, who has retired.
- Mr. Omar BA, Foreign Affairs Advisor, previously head of the Middle East Division at the Asia, Pacific, and Middle East Directorate of the Ministry of African Integration and Foreign Affairs, is appointed Secretary General of the Islamic Institute of Dakar, a vacant position.
Ministry of Microfinance and Social and Solidarity Economy:
- Ms. Ndèye Déguène SOW, Civil Administrator, payroll number 722 203/B, previously Technical Advisor at the Budget Programming Directorate, is appointed Secretary General of the Ministry of Microfinance and Social and Solidarity Economy, replacing Mr. Gorgui NDIAYE.
- Mr. Amadou Tidiane DIALLO, agronomist engineer, graduate of ENSA Thiès, previously Director of Investments, Financing, and Portfolio Monitoring at FONAMIF, is appointed Director General of the National Microfinance Fund (FONAMIF), replacing Ms. Nicole Olga Edith MANSIS, called to other duties.
- Mr. Papa Layti NDIAYE, Planning Advisor, payroll number 601 494/H, is appointed Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Islamic Microfinance Development Fund (FDMI).
Ministry of Urban Planning, Local Authorities, and Territorial Development:
- Mr. Seydou TOUNKARA, clerk, is appointed Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the National Civil Registry Agency (ANEC) at the Ministry of Urban Planning, Local Authorities, and Territorial Development, replacing Mr. Samba SALL.
- Mr. Matar NDAO, computer engineer, expert in project management, is appointed Director General of the National Civil Registry Agency (ANEC) at the Ministry of Urban Planning, Local Authorities, and Territorial Development, replacing Mr. Aliou Ousmane SALL.
- Mr. Papa Alioune DIOUF, tax and property inspector, payroll number 696.269/B, is appointed Secretary General of the Ministry of Urban Planning, Local Authorities, and Territorial Development, a vacant position.
- Mr. Leyti NDIAYE, territorial engineer, expert in information systems, planning, and urban development, is appointed Secretary General of the National Territorial Development Agency (ANAT) at the Ministry of Urban Planning, Local Authorities, and Territorial Development, replacing Mr. Ousmane SECK.
- Mr. Habib KANE, jurist, is appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Center for Local Public Service and Training at the Ministry of Urban Planning, Local Authorities, and Territorial Development, replacing Ms. Maatham BA.
The Minister of Vocational and Technical Training, Government Spokesperson, Amadou Moustapha Njekk SARRE