Senegal identifies 245 stalled infrastructure projects worth 279 billion CFA

Massive investment freeze in Senegal’s construction sector

A recent technical audit has uncovered a significant bottleneck in Senegal‘s development, revealing that 245 infrastructure projects across the nation are currently at a standstill. These stalled initiatives represent a staggering 279 billion CFA francs in public investment, effectively locking up vital state resources.

This comprehensive review follows a directive issued during the Council of Ministers on April 15, where government departments were tasked with cataloging every halted project under their jurisdiction. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, speaking during an interministerial council in Dakar, characterized these figures as “dormant assets” that provide no current value to the population.

Financial and technical hurdles

The investigation shows that these projects are in various states of limbo; some are fully completed but remain unopened, while others have seen construction work grind to a halt. While technical complications have played a role in some cases, the primary driver behind these delays is a critical shortage of financial resources.

Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko emphasized that the current inventory may only be the tip of the iceberg. Consequently, he has established a specialized committee within the Primature to refine and expand this list, ensuring no project is overlooked. He noted that the initial findings are far from exhaustive and require further scrutiny.

A push for accountability and planning

Beyond funding, the Prime Minister highlighted a recurring failure in basic planning, such as neglecting to connect new buildings to essential water and electricity grids. He described the practice of constructing facilities without a clear plan for their operation as “inconceivable,” noting that such oversights lead to massive economic losses.

Addressing the root causes of these failures, the Prime Minister pointed to a culture of negligence and laxity within the management of public works. Moving forward, he announced a “zero tolerance” policy regarding delivery delays and technical shortcomings, signaling a major shift in how Senegal will manage its national infrastructure portfolio.