The Council of Ministers met exceptionally on Thursday, 11 December 2025, under the chairmanship of His Excellency Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar FAYE, President of the Republic.
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC’S COMMUNICATION
Stabilization and consensual transformation of the Higher Education sector
The President of the Republic began his address by highlighting the academic and social instability affecting public universities, as well as the issue of financing the higher education system. In this regard, he instructed the Prime Minister to assess the implementation status of the Emergency Plan for Higher Education.
He also directed the Ministers of Higher Education and Infrastructure to finalize the overall evaluation of the implementation of the Bachelor-Master-Doctorate (BMD) system, and to provide, for each public university, a detailed assessment of needs as well as the status of ongoing academic and social infrastructure projects.
To adapt university training to national economic needs, the Head of State emphasized the necessity to advance the digitalization of teaching and research, to strengthen the Cheikh Hamidou KANE Digital University of Senegal, and to expand Open Digital Spaces (ENO) and Higher Institutes of Vocational Education (ISEP).
Noting that the primary challenge for the education system remains student employability, the President called for sustained, sustainable, and innovative financing mechanisms for Higher Education. He instructed that a systematic audit of expenditures and resources be conducted for each public university, along with necessary administrative and financial verifications in universities and university social service centers.
Finally, he directed the Prime Minister to submit a Priority Action Plan for the 2026 management of the Higher Education sector.
Revamping the national research system and promoting innovation
The President considers scientific research and technological innovation as catalysts for industrialization and for building a dynamic economy. He therefore instructed the Prime Minister to strengthen national research institutions and engineering schools, with the aim of training high-level researchers and engineers and developing endogenous human capital, aligned with the “Senegal 2050” Vision.
He stressed the need to expand training in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), with a particular emphasis on digital literacy and the potential of artificial intelligence.
The President noted the need for a paradigm shift in the objectives and financing of the higher education, research, and innovation system, as well as the importance of launching a major national program to establish research laboratories and equipment across all universities and engineering institutes. He instructed the Prime Minister to set up a National Fund for Research and Innovation Development.
Rehabilitation and development of rail transport
Recognizing that territorial attractiveness depends heavily on transportation development, the President instructed the Government to accelerate implementation of the national railway policy, particularly through the rehabilitation of Senegal’s railway system, in alignment with the operations and expansion of the Regional Express Train (TER).
Beyond finalizing a National Master Plan for railway development, he ordered the execution of required studies and the mobilization of financing for approved railway lines over a ten-year planning horizon. He further instructed the Prime Minister to establish a National Railway Council to ensure strategic oversight and better coordination of railway projects and their impact on transport modernization, territorial development, and employment.
Effective measures to combat the high cost of living
The President reiterated his strong commitment to improving household purchasing power and significantly reducing the cost of living. He welcomed the recent decrease in prices of gasoline, diesel, and butane gas, and directed the Prime Minister to continue efforts to support vulnerable populations and strengthen the State’s social protection role.
Strengthening the role of the Diaspora in national life
As a key asset in building an inclusive and sovereign Senegal, the Diaspora makes significant contributions to national development and social stability. The President instructed the Government to take all necessary measures to ensure proper organization of the National Diaspora Day, which he will preside over on 17 December 2025.
President’s Agenda
The President informed the Council that he chaired, on Tuesday 9 December 2025, the opening ceremony of the 4th edition of the MSGBC Oil, Gas and Power 2025 Conference. He announced his participation in the ECOWAS Summit to be held on 14 December 2025 in Abuja.
He will also preside, on Wednesday 17 December 2025, over the handover ceremony of the National Flag to the National Football Team ahead of the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, and on Friday 19 December 2025, over the annual ceremony for the decoration of distinguished personalities in national orders.
He will then travel to Casamance from 20 to 25 December 2025 for an economic tour.
PRIME MINISTER’S COMMUNICATION
The Prime Minister focused his address on strengthening household purchasing power through the new pricing doctrine for petroleum products and energy. He recalled that supporting households and small professionals has always been a priority for the President of the Republic, regularly reaffirmed through directives at Council meetings. He noted the first wave of price reductions in 2024, which covered crystal sugar, non-fragrant broken rice, palm oil, bread, and internet connection fees.
Fuel price reduction
Regarding fuel price cuts, the Prime Minister outlined the measures effective since Saturday 6 December 2025, concerning revised fuel prices, noting that the new tariffs are regulatory ceilings subject to adjustment.
He detailed the impact of these measures on the Stabilization Fund for Petroleum Product Imports (FSIPP), initially established to ensure proper supply and cover commercial losses from petroleum imports. The fund has now been converted into a tax, with its revenues integrated into the general budget.
He instructed the Minister of Finance and Budget to analyze FSIPP usage, allocate any surplus to absorb potential increases in global oil prices, conduct an in-depth review of pricing equalization mechanisms for butane gas, and immediately begin reforming the downstream hydrocarbons law.
Electricity tariff reduction
Regarding electricity prices, the Prime Minister—after presenting the measures and their effects—directed continued efforts to better target electricity subsidies for low-income, vulnerable households listed in the National Unified Registry (RNU). He also ordered immediate measures to reduce SENELEC’s operating costs.
He instructed the Minister of Energy, Petroleum and Mines to submit a plan to reduce non-technical losses in order to curb electricity fraud.
He reiterated that lower consumer prices and product availability are intrinsically linked to Government initiatives aimed at providing decent income to households.
Monitoring of the Economic and Social Recovery Plan and Agenda
The Prime Minister concluded by presenting the first highly positive results of the Economic and Social Recovery Plan (PRES), and by reporting on the working visit to Senegal on 9–10 December 2025 by the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, which enabled the signing of around ten memoranda of understanding in key sectors.
MINISTERS’ COMMUNICATIONS
The Minister of Family, Social Action and Solidarity presented the progress of the expansion of the National Unified Registry (RNU), its update, and the re-certification of the National Family Security Grants Program (PNBSF).
The Minister of Industry and Trade delivered a communication on market conditions and the commercialization of agricultural and food products.
LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY MEASURES
The Council examined and adopted the draft decree amending Decree No. 2019-413 of 30 January 2019 establishing the Judicial Training Center (CFJ) and setting its organizational and operating rules.
INDIVIDUAL MEASURES
Presidency of the Republic
Mr. Cheikh Tidiane DIOP, Inspector General of State, payroll number 516907/F, is appointed Financial Controller, replacing Mrs. Marie Gaye NDIAYE, who has retired.
Prime Minister’s Office
Mrs. Fatoumata MBAYE, Planner, payroll number 607025/J, is appointed Director of Human Resources at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Mr. Sidy Mouhamed FALL, Computer Engineer, payroll number 518226/F, is appointed Director of Information Systems at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Ministry of Justice
Mr. Idrissa SOW, Inspector, 2nd class, 1st grade, Penal Administration, payroll number 645594/G, is appointed Deputy Director General of the Penal Administration.
Ministry of Infrastructure
Mr. Alioune SENE, Civil Engineer, payroll number 763252/E, is appointed Director General of Road Infrastructure and Opening-Up, replacing Mr. Mamadou Alassane CAMARA.
Mr. Moustapha FALL, Civil Engineer, is appointed Director General of the Road Works and Management Agency (AGEROUTE Senegal), replacing Mr. Mamadou NDAO.
Mr. Cheikh DIOP, Electromechanical Engineer, is appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Company for the Management of Regional Express Train Assets (SENTER S.A.), replacing Mr. Oumar BA.
Marie Rose Khady Fatou FAYE
Secretary of State to the Prime Minister
In charge of Relations with Institutions
Government Spokesperson