Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, delivered a striking address in Dakar on October 7, 2025, urging a recalibration of the country’s economic model to prioritise national resources alongside foreign investment.
Speaking at the Invest in Senegal Forum (FII 2025), which brings together hundreds of international investors and decision-makers, Sonko outlined his vision for a “win-win” partnership framework that balances external cooperation with domestic accountability.
Reassessing international cooperation
Sonko stressed that while partnerships with global investors and institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) remain vital, Senegal cannot rely solely on external support.
Citing recent audits that revealed substantial undisclosed debt, he said: “This is not the case,” emphasising that national development will depend first and foremost on fiscal consolidation and sound financial management.
He warned that agreements, including a $1.8 billion deal with the IMF, are not a panacea for Senegal’s structural challenges.
“The country’s ability to effectively manage its own resources will determine its long-term prosperity,” he said, underscoring the importance of integrating all available resources into national budgetary policies.
FII 2025: a platform for strategic growth
The Invest in Senegal Forum, held at the Abdou Diouf International Conference Centre in Diamniadio, provides a strategic platform to attract investment from Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.
The event focuses on revitalising productive sectors, diversifying economic partnerships, and strengthening Senegal’s financial sovereignty.
Sonko also called for a re-examination of multilateralism in Africa.
He cautioned against over-reliance on international institutions, noting that even major powers now depend on multilateral cooperation at the expense of direct bilateral agreements.
“The conditions will be right to collaborate with a country, but people will say: we are waiting for the IMF,” he said, urging African nations to first invest in their own capacities.
By combining investor engagement with domestic empowerment, Sonko’s address signalled a pragmatic strategy: attracting foreign capital while ensuring that Senegal’s economic growth remains driven primarily by its own people.
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