Let us dare to hope for a better Senegal in a few years, even if the daily situation of the Senegalese remains marked by considerable challenges.
One of the key pieces of information recently made public is the resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 19, 2024, during its seventy-ninth session, under item 9 of the agenda. This document, published in the report of the Economic and Social Council, attests to the withdrawal of Cambodia and Senegal from the category of least developed countries (LDCs). This decision is certainly exciting, but it seems to be taken lightly by some, who believe that this large organization is not necessarily intended to rule on the situation of a country like Senegal. However, Senegal plans to be fully sovereign, in accordance with its 2050 benchmark, and is already making a strategic break, as the Prime Minister underlined during his general policy declaration before a National Assembly where he has a majority of 130 seats out of 165.
That being said, it must be recognized that although the UN’s development support policies for poor countries often prove insufficient, the organization nevertheless deserves the credit given to it, due to its status as a international reference. It thus allows it to evaluate and classify countries according to their level of social and economic development.
Furthermore, it is important to note that Senegal’s gross domestic product (GDP) has long been supported by the exploitation of its natural resources. The country’s growth model was mainly based on investments, reinforced by significant foreign direct investments (FDI) in the extractive sector. However, the benefits of this growth have not had a lasting impact on the population. They have not had a notable effect on reducing poverty or reducing inequalities. In addition, the population’s vulnerability to economic shocks remains high, with a majority of households (55%) exposed to the risk of falling into poverty in the event of an economic shock.
However, at the institutional level, notable progress has been recorded. According to a report published on December 27, 2024 by the National Agency for Statistics and Demography (ANSD), Senegal achieved a growth rate of 8.9% in the last quarter of the year. This performance is attributed to exponential development in the industrial sector, particularly thanks to oil and gas. Furthermore, the agricultural sector recorded growth estimated at 4.6%, which represents an encouraging development.
In conclusion, based on these observations, the Senegalese can envisage a better future and hope for a substantial improvement in their living conditions, provided that the development promises are kept.
Momar GUEYE, young entrepreneur researcher and climate activist
