Senegal President orders measures to regulate rents and combat rising cost of living

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has issued firm instructions to the Senegalese government to combat the rising cost of living and protect household purchasing power. During a Council of Ministers meeting, the President emphasized the need to control the prices of essential goods and services, calling for the rigorous application of consumer protection laws.

A key focus of these instructions is the regulation of rental costs. The President has called for the effective deployment of regulatory and coercive measures to address the housing crisis, particularly in high-demand areas like Dakar and Thiès, where the imbalance between supply and demand continues to strain budgets.

These government actions come amid growing public concern and citizen campaigns against high prices for food and basic necessities. While Senegal recently reached a principle agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a $2.2 billion program spanning 2026-2029, many citizens express that macroeconomic agreements have yet to alleviate the immediate financial pressures on daily household expenses.