Senegal becomes West Africa's most indebted nation

Senegal debt audit African Development Bank West African economy public debt ratio debt service

According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), Senegal has become the most indebted country in West Africa following a comprehensive audit of its public finances in 2025. The audit, conducted under the administration of Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko, revealed that Senegal's total public debt (combining internal and external obligations) is approximately 132% of its GDP. This is a significant upward revision from previous estimates that placed external debt alone at 58.9% of GDP.

While regional external debt has seen a general decline from 39.1% of GDP in 2024 to 35.6% in 2025, Senegal's trajectory has diverged due to these accounting corrections. The debt service burden is also substantial, absorbing 41.9% of Senegal's export revenues in 2025, compared to 24.8% in Nigeria.

Other regional debt indicators include Cabo Verde with a total public debt of approximately 103% of GDP and external debt at 87.3%, The Gambia at 47.8% external debt, and Nigeria with external debt at 36.8% of GDP.

Entities

African Development Bank · Bassirou Diomaye Faye · Nigeria · Ousmane Sonko · Senegal

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] The Senegalese Court of Auditors released findings in February 2025 regarding budget discrepancies. africtelegraph.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Debt service absorbed 41.9% of Senegal's export revenues in 2025. www.sunugal24.net · sunuker.com
[DISPUTED] Senegal's total public debt is approximately 132% of its GDP following a 2025 audit. www.sunugal24.net · sunuker.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Cabo Verde's total public debt is approximately 103% of its GDP. www.sunugal24.net · sunuker.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Nigeria's external debt was 36.8% of GDP in 2025. www.sunugal24.net · sunuker.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Regional external debt in West Africa fell from 39.1% of GDP in 2024 to 35.6% in 2025. www.sunugal24.net · sunuker.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Senegal is the most indebted country in West Africa according to the African Development Bank. www.sunugal24.net · sunuker.com · africtelegraph.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Prior to the audit, Senegal's external debt was estimated at 58.9% of GDP. www.sunugal24.net · sunuker.com