Senegal Bars Officials from Foreign Trips as Oil Prices Surge

By Editor Drealomalicha Emmanuella

Senegal’s government has announced a sweeping ban on non-essential foreign travel for ministers, as rising global oil prices place mounting pressure on the country’s finances.

Speaking at a rally in Mbour on Friday evening, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko struck a sober tone, warning citizens to brace for what he described as “extremely difficult” times. He said the decision forms part of a broader effort to rein in public spending amid growing economic uncertainty.

“I have taken a number of drastic measures to restrict government expenditure,” Mr Sonko told the crowd. “This includes the cancellation of all non-essential trips abroad. No minister will leave the country unless it is for a mission that is absolutely necessary to our current work.”

In a symbolic gesture, the Prime Minister revealed that he had personally suspended planned visits to France, Spain and Niger, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

The move comes as global oil prices surge to around $115 per barrel—nearly double the $62 benchmark factored into Senegal’s national budget. Like many countries in West Africa, Senegal depends heavily on imported petroleum, leaving it vulnerable to external shocks.

The situation has been worsened by disruptions to global supply chains, particularly the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and gas passes.

Despite the grim outlook, Mr Sonko sought to strike a balance between caution and reassurance, especially when addressing young people at the rally.

“My aim is not to frighten you,” he said, “but to give you a clear understanding of the world we live in a world that is becoming increasingly difficult.”

He added that further cost-cutting measures would be announced in the coming days, as the government works to navigate the economic strain.