The Council of Ministers was held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, under the chairmanship of His Excellency Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, President of the Republic.
UNDER THE COMMUNICATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
The Head of State delivered a communication on the following points:
Promotion of Local Production and Consumption of Local Products
Opening his communication, the President of the Republic emphasized that the performance of production in the agricultural sector calls for the implementation of a systemic vision integrating the restructuring of markets and distribution channels for agricultural products, the processing of production, the management and regulation of demand, as well as the promotion of the consumption of local products.
In this regard, he requested the Government to ensure the supervision and regulation of the marketing of agricultural and horticultural products and to accelerate the deployment of the National Program for the Development of Agricultural Product Storage and Preservation Infrastructure.
In this context, the Head of State instructed the Minister of Industry and Trade and the Minister of Agriculture to work toward the signing of marketing agreements in order to ensure the sale of agricultural production at remunerative prices. He stressed the need to intensify information campaigns and the promotion of national agricultural production consumption by developing a “Senegal Quality” label, while strengthening the capacities of the Food Technology Institute (ITA), particularly in its mission to promote research on cereals and horticultural production.
Finally, he highlighted the need to pay particular attention to the establishment of strategic safety stocks for key food commodities and commonly consumed products, as well as to price stability, before requesting an evaluation of the implementation status of the law on prices and consumer protection.
Development of the Social and Solidarity Economy in the Territories
Recalling that 2026 has been dedicated to the Social and Solidarity Economy, the President of the Republic stressed the importance and urgency of ensuring the full implementation of the mechanisms and instruments provided for by the framework law relating to the Social and Solidarity Economy.
In this regard, in addition to establishing the National Register of the Social and Solidarity Economy, he requested the Minister of Microfinance and the Social and Solidarity Economy to accelerate the establishment of mechanisms promoting this sector in the dynamic of sustainable and participatory development.
For the Head of State, it is necessary to mobilize public actors, the private sector, microfinance institutions, women, youth and all the driving forces of the Nation around a national doctrine of endogenous development of the solidarity economy.
In this respect, beyond integrating initiatives from sports and cultural associations into the new policy on the social and solidarity economy, he requested improvements in the performance of programs combating poverty, exclusion and vulnerability through the credibility of the National Unified Registry (RNU).
Furthermore, the President of the Republic emphasized the need to intensify the restructuring of social protection and national solidarity programs in order to establish complementarity and optimal State support for initiatives strengthening the social and solidarity economy.
Finally, he requested the Minister of Microfinance and the Social and Solidarity Economy to prepare, by the end of October 2026, the first session of the National Council for the Social and Solidarity Economy.
Acceleration of the Implementation of Road Programs
Considering the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of roads, highways, production tracks and crossing structures as major concerns for the population and economic actors, the President of the Republic requested the intensification of the execution of validated priority road infrastructure projects and the implementation of a new optimized National Road Plan, consistent with the accelerated urbanization of the territory and the deployment of Development Poles.
Diplomatic Agenda and International Outreach of Senegal
The President of the Republic recalled that Senegal remains a country committed to peace, multilateralism and African integration, and requested that efforts be made to modernize the country’s diplomatic and consular network in order to strengthen the effectiveness of foreign policy.
In this regard, he informed the Council that he has convened the Conference of Senegalese Ambassadors, Consuls General and Consuls on April 18 and 19, 2026.
He also announced that Senegal will host the 10th edition of the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa on April 20 and 21, 2026, which will bring together several decision-makers and civilian and military stakeholders from across the African continent.
UNDER THE COMMUNICATION OF THE PRIME MINISTER
The Prime Minister presented his communication on the following points:
The Role of Human Capital in Social Stability
The Prime Minister recalled that human capital is essential in the economic and social life of the Nation. Consequently, the Government attaches primary importance to all sectors directly linked to human development, particularly Education and Health.
He presented a diagnosis of the national education and higher education sectors, which are facing a persistent crisis mainly due to a general shortage of staff, insufficient infrastructure and equipment in both quantity and quality, deterioration of the school environment, the mismatch of teaching and training curricula, weak promotion of scientific fields, the recurring issue of student scholarships, disruptions to the academic calendar, and chronic instability within schools and universities.
Regarding the health sector, the Prime Minister noted that problems are linked, among other things, to the fragmentation of health information systems, the lack of modern infrastructure and equipment integrating digital and energy solutions, insufficient human and financial resources, and deficits in maintenance.
These issues are compounded by the obsolescence of the institutional and legal framework, the unequal distribution of personnel and resources, structural dependence on imports of medicines, medical equipment and health products, underinvestment in prevention, and the weakness of the medical technical platform, which makes access to quality healthcare more difficult.
Despite this situation, the Prime Minister stated that the State has deployed exceptional efforts in a difficult context to restore these vital sectors. In this regard, the Government is implementing the National Pact for Social Stability for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth, signed on May 1, 2025, between the Government, trade unions and employers’ organizations.
In the education and higher education sectors, the Government is implementing a five-year recruitment plan to strengthen the teaching workforce in order to eventually meet pedagogical supervision needs and ensure continuity in the public education service.
According to the Prime Minister, significant progress has also been made in expanding access, improving inclusion and social equity, strengthening teacher career management, enhancing the teaching profession, and reinforcing teacher capacities through universal diploma training and continuing professional development.
In the health sector, the Government has undertaken a reorganization of sectoral programs, placing greater emphasis on prevention and health promotion. This strategic orientation is accompanied by a revision of the Ministry’s organizational structure at the central level and several ongoing structural reforms, including the revision of the Public Health Code, reform of the legal framework relating to mental health, and the updating of the national health map.
The Prime Minister also highlighted significant results achieved in terms of human resources and health infrastructure, before calling on all actors and partners in the education and health systems to rally in the exclusive interest of the Nation.
Finally, he invited ministers to place particular emphasis on public policies aimed at promoting human capital, to respect commitments made on behalf of the Government, to demonstrate openness in maintaining and consolidating dialogue for social stability and peace, and to spare no effort in preventing and resolving difficulties that arise in relations between the State and social actors.
Improving the Implementation of Structuring Projects
The Prime Minister drew the Government’s attention to the progress of three structuring projects among national priorities:
the National Agropole Development Program, the West Corniche Development Project in Dakar, and the Rural Electrification Project.
Regarding the Agropole Development Program, he recalled that it is a major lever for achieving food sovereignty, territorial industrial transformation and job creation. He highlighted some difficulties related to governance arrangements and certain operational and financial constraints.
He therefore requested the Minister of Finance and Budget and the Minister of Economy, Planning and Cooperation to take the necessary measures to accelerate disbursements, settle the most critical situations, particularly salary arrears, and conduct with the African Development Bank a rapid review of options concerning the Northern Agropole, in order to reach a swift and sustainable decision.
He also asked the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock, in coordination with the Minister of Industry and Trade, to finalize the operational framework for securing agricultural raw materials to guarantee a regular and sustainable supply for future processing units.
Regarding the West Corniche Development Project in Dakar, the Prime Minister recalled its strategic importance, particularly in the perspective of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. He deplored the halt of the project due to unpaid certificates, despite the approaching deadline for site delivery.
Consequently, he instructed the Ministers of Finance and Budget and Infrastructure to urgently regularize outstanding payments to allow the immediate resumption of works and ensure completion within the prescribed timeframe.
With respect to the Rural Electrification Project led by ASER, the Prime Minister emphasized that it directly contributes to the objective of universal access to electricity and the reduction of territorial inequalities. He noted that difficulties related to the admission and customs clearance of imported equipment are compromising the project timeline.
He therefore requested the Minister of Energy, Petroleum and Mines, the Minister of Finance and Budget, and the Minister of Economy, Planning and Cooperation to take all necessary measures to remove customs bottlenecks, establish an accelerated mechanism for processing equipment destined for the project, and ensure close monitoring of its implementation until all difficulties are resolved.
The Prime Minister concluded his communication by informing the Council that the Government, under his leadership, will launch a series of public communications on major national issues, the first of which will take place this week and will focus on the renegotiation of conventions and contracts concluded in strategic sectors.
UNDER THE COMMUNICATIONS OF MINISTERS
The Minister of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad presented a communication on the situation in the Near and Middle East.
The Secretary of State to the Minister of Urban Planning, Local Authorities and Territorial Development, in charge of Housing, presented a communication on the National Housing Project: “Cities of Transformation.”
UNDER LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY TEXTS
The Council examined and adopted the draft decree establishing the modalities for the implementation of Law No. 2025-16 of September 27, 2025, relating to the Investment Code.
Marie Rose Khady Fatou Faye
Secretary of State to the Prime Minister,
In charge of Relations with Institutions,
Government Spokesperson.