Senegal energy crisis and economic instability spark opposition criticism

Senegalese lawmaker and former Energy Minister Thierno Alassane Sall has issued a sharp critique of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s administration, citing a worsening socio-economic crisis and a structural failure in the energy sector.

Sall highlighted a significant reversal in Senegal’s energy status, noting that while the country was an electricity exporter in 2023, it has become a net importer in 2026, relying on 200 MW from Guinea to combat frequent power outages. He estimated that operating certain plants on diesel rather than gas costs the state approximately one billion CFA francs per day.

Beyond energy, Sall addressed rising poverty and unemployment, citing data that shows an expanded unemployment rate of 22.9% in early 2026. He also criticized the government for using the Presidential Palace to host the headquarters of the presidential party, Kiiraay, arguing that state resources should focus on urgent national needs rather than partisan organization.

Additionally, the economist Ndongo Samba Sylla raised concerns regarding national debt, suggesting that IMF data indicates public debt estimates have risen from 60% in 2024 to 120% in late 2025, pointing to a lack of transparency in reporting financial commitments.