By Emmanuel Nduka
Senegal’s Minister of Industry and Commerce Serigne Gueye Diop has announced that the country has built two new plants that will utilize locally grown sugarcane to produce sugar domestically, reducing reliance on imports.
The feat according to the government, aligns with the it’s vision of promoting endogenous development and creating national champions in key sectors like agriculture.
The announcement comes amid growing concerns about the dominance of privately owned CSS, which has been the sole sugar producer in the country for over 50 years.
The CSS cultivates sugar cane, but it actively participates in rice production through the support it provides to thousands of rice farmers by fully covering their irrigation water bill on more than 5,000 hectares sown in double season.
Heritage Times HT reports that consumer complaints regarding price fluctuations and the desire to diversify the market have driven the government to seek alternative solutions.
Minister Diop highlighted that the government is committed to breaking this monopoly and fostering a more competitive market environment.
He also emphasized the importance of modernizing retail trade, announcing plans to establish 2,000 reference shops across the country equipped with solar-powered refrigeration systems to improve product quality and ensure fair pricing for essential goods.
The initiative is expected to create between 20,000 and 30,000 jobs while enhancing food security and strengthening Senegal’s self-sufficiency in sugar production.
By promoting domestic production and improving distribution networks, the government aims to ensure that essential goods are accessible and affordable for all Senegalese citizens.
