Senegal PM Sonko Slams Soaring Electricity Tariffs, Vows LNG Policy Shift to Cut Costs
Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has raised alarm over the country’s soaring electricity tariffs, describing them as among the highest in the world and a major obstacle to economic growth and investment.
Speaking on Tuesday at the opening of the Invest in Senegal Forum, Sonko revealed that Senegal’s electricity rate currently stands at 91.84 CFA francs per kilowatt-hour, placing it just behind industrial giants Germany and Japan. He warned that such high energy costs are undermining the country’s ability to attract businesses and investors.
“How can we compete regionally or globally when our energy costs are higher than most advanced economies?” Sonko asked, drawing a sharp contrast with neighboring Côte d’Ivoire, where electricity is significantly cheaper.
The prime minister didn’t stop at criticism. He outlined a bold shift in the government’s energy strategy, pledging to reverse the previous administration’s policy of exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG). Instead, Sonko said, Senegal would prioritize domestic consumption of LNG in a bid to drive down electricity prices and boost industrial productivity.
“This is about sovereignty and development,” he said. “We must use our own resources to empower our industries, create jobs, and attract sustainable investment.”
The announcement comes as Senegal prepares to ramp up its offshore gas production, with several large-scale projects set to begin operations. The decision to redirect LNG for domestic use could mark a turning point in the country’s energy and economic policy, signaling a more inward-focused, industrially driven development agenda.
Sonko’s remarks were welcomed by local entrepreneurs and manufacturers, many of whom have long complained about the prohibitive cost of power in the West African nation.
As the new government sharpens its focus on economic sovereignty, energy affordability and access are expected to remain at the center of policy discussions in the months ahead.
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