Published on : 01/09/2022 – 04:37
The crisis between Ukraine and Russia has caused the world price of gas to jump. An energy that is essential in Senegal. The Senegalese State, which has a gas subsidy policy, therefore suffers the consequences on its national budget.
With our correspondent in Dakar, Thea Olivier
At the edge of a central axis of Dakar, Fatima sells the famous thiep boudiène – a Senegalese dish made from rice and fish which must be cooked for three to four hours on a small bottle of gas.
« Every day, except Sunday, I fetch a bottle of gas. For small bottles of 6 kg, 3900 CFA francs (about 6€). It’s expensive. The price has not increased, but it is not quality. »
In the country, the price of gas is blocked thanks to state subsidies in order to support Senegalese households.
A policy that is expensive for the State, explains Mamadou Fall Kane, adviser to the President of the Republic in the field of energy and deputy secretary general of the Strategic Orientation Committee for Oil and Gas (Cos-Petrogaz).
« This year, we have a billion dollars in subsidies, if the world situation does not change, we will have to continue to subsidize. We will try to lock in prices for as long as possible, until we start production. We will start selling gas at the end of 2023. »
At the end of 2023, Senegal aims to start producing gas in order to supply 2.5 million tonnes per year. Before going up to 10 million tons in 2030.