Senegal suspends non-essential travel for ministers as oil prices surge

Senegal suspends non-essential travel for ministers as oil prices surge

Senegal suspends non-essential travel for ministers as oil prices surge

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The decision was announced by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko at a youth rally in the coastal town of Mbour on April 3

The Senegalese government has suspended all non-essential foreign travel for ministers and senior officials as rising global oil prices, driven by the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran, put pressure on the country’s finances.
The move comes as the war and Iran’s effective closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz disrupt global energy markets, sending the price of Brent crude sharply higher and prompting governments worldwide to take measures to mitigate economic fallout.
The decision was announced by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko at a youth rally in the coastal town of Mbour on April 3.

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Speaking to attendees, Sonko highlighted that the current cost of a barrel of oil was approaching double the amount budgeted for in Senegal’s 2026 national budget, emphasising the need for careful fiscal management.
“No minister in my government will leave the country unless it is for an essential mission related to the work we are currently undertaking,” Sonko said.
He added that he had already postponed his own trips to Niger, Spain, and France, and noted that the Mines Ministry would announce further measures in the coming week to curb government spending.

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Senegal, despite a developing oil and gas sector, relies heavily on imported fuel, making the country particularly vulnerable to global price shocks.
While the International Monetary Fund has described the economy as robust, with growth near 8 per cent and low inflation, public debt remains high at over 130 per cent of annual GDP.
Sonko attributed part of the current fiscal strain to debt inherited from the previous administration, which has complicated efforts to absorb rising energy costs.
The government’s travel restrictions reflect a wider trend across West Africa and beyond, as nations respond to the surge in oil prices with measures such as adjusting fuel levies, offering subsidies, rationing electricity, and promoting remote work to protect households and essential services.

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