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During a cabinet meeting on 20 may 2026, Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko delivered a stark assessment of the country’s market infrastructure, highlighting systemic challenges that have long plagued the sector. Many of these commercial hubs, dating back to the 1970s, now pose serious safety risks due to their deteriorating condition. Shocking figures revealed by the Prime Minister paint a troubling picture: 53 markets across Senegal have experienced fire incidents between 2013 and 2024, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive reforms. The diagnostic analysis uncovered multifaceted issues spanning governance, technical capacity, infrastructure, organization, environmental impact, and public health. a multi-billion franc plan to transform Senegal’s markets Ousmane Sonko outl...

Senegal’s markets set for major transformation under new government plan Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has unveiled an ambitious initiative to overhaul Senegal’s aging commercial infrastructure. With many market facilities dating back to the 1970s and a troubling history of 53 fires between 2013 and 2024, the government is rolling out the Programme de Modernisation et de Gestion des Marchés (PROMOGEM) as part of its 2025–2029 strategic roadmap. The plan commits 57.5 billion West African CFA francs over four years to refurbish 528 existing markets and construct 67 new, modern complexes across the country. Supporting agriculture, flood resilience and digital growth Looking ahead to the 2026–2027 farming season, Sonko highlighted the need to address gaps in beneficiary targeting, seed a...

The Senegal U17 team secured their spot in the quarterfinals of the CAN U17 after a hard-fought victory over Algeria in the group stage. This triumph not only propelled the Lionceaux into the knockout rounds but also marked a historic milestone: qualification for the FIFA U17 World Cup—a first for the nation in recent football history. a milestone moment for senegalese football With this win, Senegal becomes one of the standout performers in the tournament, showcasing their depth and competitive spirit on the African stage. The team’s journey to the quarterfinals underscores their growing influence in youth football across the continent, setting the stage for even greater achievements in the future. what this means for the team and fans The qualification for the FIFA U17 World Cup is a t...

The latest Council of Ministers meeting in Dakar saw Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko unveil sweeping reforms targeting public market modernization, agricultural productivity and digital governance. With a 57.5 billion FCFA investment plan, the government is prioritizing efficiency, transparency and cross-sector coordination to revitalize key economic sectors. Revamping public markets: a national restructuring drive Prime Minister Sonko opened the session with a stark assessment of Senegal's market infrastructure, highlighting that many facilities dating back to the 1970s now pose serious safety and operational risks. The revelation that 53 markets burned between 2013 and 2024 underscored the urgent need for intervention. The government is rolling out the Modernization and Market Managemen...

Major financial embezzlement case rocks Côte d'Ivoire's teacher mutual fund The long-running investigation into Côte d'Ivoire's Teacher Mutual Fund (Mupemenet-CI) has culminated in legal action following allegations of a staggering 5 billion FCFA embezzlement. Prosecutors have formally charged the organization's top executives and a political figure in connection with this financial scandal that has rocked the education sector. After months of meticulous investigation, Aboya Koffi Jean-Claude, the Public Prosecutor at the Economic and Financial Crimes Unit, took decisive action by ordering the arrest of key figures involved. The Director General of Mupemenet-CI, Agré Lynx Bourgelat, and the Financial Director, Koné Allagnan, were both remanded in custody at the former MACA prison in Abid...

Senegal's president begins nationwide consultations as PM Sonko addresses lawmakersRFIThu, 21 May 2026 at 3:13 AM UTCSet Yahoo as your preferred source to see our articles on Google.The newly elected President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has initiated a series of nationwide consultations, marking a shift from the annual national dialogue traditionally held on May 28—a tradition established by his predecessor Macky Sall in 2016.Instead of a single-day event, Faye is organizing ten days of structured discussions with key stakeholders, including NGOs, political parties, traditional leaders, and religious figures. This approach, analysts suggest, reinforces his image as a leader committed to dialogue and inclusive governance.Maurice Soundieck Dione, a political science professor at the ...

Nice hit with tough penalties before Ligue 1 playoffs clash with Saint-Étienne The Ligue 1 playoffs against Saint-Étienne just got tougher for Nice. The club now faces severe sanctions from the French Football League (LFP) after crowd disturbances following last Sunday’s disappointing draw against Metz, which sealed their fate in the league. Fans invaded the Allianz Riviera pitch, hurled pyrotechnics, and caused significant damage. The LFP’s disciplinary committee responded with a two-match home stadium ban for Nice, one of which is suspended. This means the crucial playoff return leg, scheduled for May 29 in Nice, will be played behind closed doors. The playoff first leg will take place in Saint-Étienne on May 26. But that’s not all—Nice may also lose key international pl...

The Republic of Senegal grapples with mounting financial challenges, compounded by concerns over its hidden debt—a pressing issue that has cast a shadow over public finance management for nearly two years. Amid these hurdles, the administration is racing against time to avert a potential payment default, exploring avenues to secure funds within the regional financial market. Diplomatic dialogue highlights strengthened Senegal-France ties Against this backdrop of economic strain, high-level diplomatic exchanges have taken center stage. During a private meeting in Nairobi on the sidelines of the Africa Forward summit, French President Emmanuel Macron conveyed a clear message to his Senegalese counterpart, Bassirou Diomaye Faye: France remains steadfast in its support for Senegal. The two...

ligue 1 - ligue 2 playoffsligue 1 sanctions confirmed: nice faces st-Étienne playoff in empty stadiummay 20, 8:17 pmsharesharewhatsapplinkedinemailmessengerThe disciplinary committee of France’s top football league has finalized sanctions against nice after pitch invasions during the final league 1 match against metz. The azzurri will host the playoff return leg against st-Étienne in an empty stadium.the league’s disciplinary board has delivered its verdict. As anticipated, nice will play the second leg of the league 1-league 2 playoff at an empty stadium on may 29 at 8:45 pm. Following last sunday’s incidents during the final league 1 match against metz (0-0)—including a pitch invasion by nice ultras—the disciplinary committee has imposed a two-match stadium ban at the allianz riviera and...

During a PSG Media Day held just ten days before the highly anticipated Champions League final against Arsenal, Luis Enrique took a moment to specifically praise the work ethic of Ousmane Dembélé. The manager emphasized that the French winger provides a level of defensive support that often goes unnoticed by those who focus solely on offensive statistics. A vital asset for the collective Luis Enrique pointed out that Ousmane Dembélé remains dedicated to his defensive duties throughout every match, regardless of the time remaining on the clock. This consistent effort is, according to the coach, a fundamental reason why the player is so indispensable to the current PSG system. While external analysis frequently centers on goals and assists, the coaching staff values the tactical balance he b...

The curtains are set to close on Leonardo Balerdi’s chapter with Olympique de Marseille (OM) following a turbulent season for the French club. After failing to secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League, Marseille is facing financial constraints, prompting a potential exodus of key players. The Argentine defender, currently under contract until June 2028, is among those expected to depart, with internal discussions already underway. Balerdi’s situation has shifted significantly since he was deemed untouchable just months ago. The club’s struggles, both on and off the pitch, have made his departure a likely scenario despite his defensive contributions. Insiders suggest that the decision has already been finalized internally, with his exit expected to be formalized in the comi...

Tottenham manager De Zerbi stakes his future on final Premier League showdown matchday analysis Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League survival hopes now hinge on a single, high-stakes fixture after Roberto De Zerbi’s side suffered a 2-1 defeat at Chelsea in the 37th matchday. The loss leaves the North London club in nervous anticipation ahead of the campaign finale against Everton this Sunday. Enzo Fernández and Andrey Santos struck for the hosts, with Richarlison pulling one back for the visitors. Despite the setback, De Zerbi refused to criticise his players’ efforts, insisting they performed well enough to deserve a different outcome. « We created a clear early chance through Son, but Sánchez made a crucial ...