The Bassirou Diomaye Faye-led Government of Senegal has unveiled measures to reduce the price of rice, oil, bread, and other basic items.
This is part of its efforts to address cost-of-living concerns amid high unemployment and inflation.
It is also a fulfilment of Faye’s promise during the campaign to address high living costs in the West African nation that heavily relies on imports.
The government announced in a press conference that the price of a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of the most popular type of rice will drop by 40 CFA ($0.065, 0.061 euros), and a baguette will be 15 CFA (0.023 euros) cheaper.
The reductions, which also apply to cement and fertilizer, will be implemented in the coming days, according to government secretary general Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo.
Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo further explained that food expenses constitute half of a Senegalese household’s budget, and emphasized that there will be increased monitoring to ensure traders comply with the new pricing.
Budget Minister Cheikh Diba mentioned that the government will waive taxes and customs duties on importers to support the price reductions. Diba estimated that these measures will cost 53.3 billion CFA (over 81 million euros, $87 million).
However, the government did not say how long the measures would apply.
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