The Ministry of Economy, Planning and Cooperation has just published, in its report on "Recent Economic Developments and Prospects", the figures for the Senegalese economy for the year 2025. This report indicates a notable acceleration of economic activity, with growth rising to 6.7%, compared to 6.5% in 2024.

"This performance is mainly based on the contribution of the secondary sector, in particular extractive activities related to hydrocarbons, as well as on the recovery of the primary sector, particularly agriculture, tempered by the slowdown in tertiary activity and net taxes on products," the report states.

Excluding hydrocarbons and agriculture, it's a collapse

On the other hand, economic activity excluding agriculture and hydrocarbons "remains on a trajectory of deceleration observed since 2017, with growth estimated at 1.6% in 2025 confirming the persistence of structural weaknesses in traditional productive sectors."

Inflation also rose from 0.8% in 2024 to 1.4% in 2025, although it remained within the BCEAO's target range. The real effective exchange rate, however, appreciated by 0.9% in 2025, suggesting a decline in the price competitiveness of the Senegalese economy.

A breath of fresh air in the trade balance

In 2025, the trade balance saw a significant improvement. Exports increased by 52.7%, "mainly due to the rise in hydrocarbon export volumes," while imports increased by only 1.6%.

A combination of factors has enabled the trade deficit to be reduced to -3.7% of GDP in 2025, compared to -12.2% of GDP in 2024. The current account deficit, meanwhile, is expected to be 4.1% of GDP.

Debt interest charge alert

On the public finance side, the budget balance fell from 13.7% in 2024 to 6.2% of GDP in 2025. This was "thanks to an increase in revenue and a significant reduction in spending."

However, the report notes an increase in debt interest payments linked to the borrowing strategy. Subsidies also continue to exert increasing pressure on public finances and budgetary flexibility, the report emphasizes.

The local financial market saves Senegal

As for the money supply, it grew by 13.3% at the end of December 2025, due to "the sharp increase in net foreign assets." Credit to the economy also increased by 8.4% year-on-year.

In 2025, Senegal raised 2,225 billion on the regional public securities market, compared to 998 billion in 2024, representing an increase of 122.8%. With the suspension of the program with the IMF following the hidden debt scandal, the government is implementing a strategy to diversify its sources of financing.

The debt stock stands at 26,252 billion FCFA

As for the international financial market, yields on certain Senegalese Eurobonds "reached particularly high levels in 2025," the report states. This situation is linked to the budgetary uncertainty stemming from the state of Senegal's public finances and the absence of a program with the IMF.

In the government's financial statements, the outstanding public debt stands at 26,252 billion CFA francs. Domestic debt amounted to 8,663 billion CFA francs, while external borrowing totaled 17,589 billion CFA francs. Of this, 4,004 billion CFA francs was allocated to debt repayment.