Senegal has moved to curb public spending by suspending all non-essential international travel for ministers and senior government officials, as surging global oil prices linked to the ongoing US-Israeli conflict involving Iran place increasing strain on national finances.
Speaking at a youth gathering in the coastal city of Mbour, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko warned that the country is entering a period of significant economic difficulty. He noted that global oil prices have climbed to around US$115 per barrel — far above the US$62 per barrel used when drafting Senegal’s national budget.
Related Stories
Under the new directive, government officials will only be permitted to travel abroad if their trips are considered critical to ongoing national priorities. Sonko said he had already cancelled several planned visits to Niger, Spain and France as part of broader austerity measures.
The government is preparing additional interventions aimed at cushioning the economy from the global energy shock. Authorities indicated that further policy responses would be announced in the coming week, with the Minister of Energy and Mines expected to outline steps being taken to manage the impact of rising fuel costs.
Across West Africa and other parts of the world, governments are introducing emergency responses to the oil price surge, including adjusting fuel prices, expanding subsidies, and encouraging remote work arrangements to reduce energy consumption.
Leave Comments