Senegal Curbs Minister Travel Amid Energy Crunch

Senegal has moved to limit overseas travel by ministers and other senior officials as the country confronts an energy crisis marked by frequent power cuts and higher electricity costs. The government said the restrictions take effect immediately and are intended to reduce pressure on public finances while authorities focus on stabilising electricity supply.

 

According to a directive issued by the General Secretariat of the Presidency, any foreign mission by ministers and senior officials must receive prior authorisation from the President’s office. Officials framed the step as part of a broader push to conserve state resources and tighten spending during a period of strain on the power system.

 

The government linked the current disruptions to multiple factors affecting generation and sector finances. Officials cited a recent fire at a major power plant in Cap des Biches as one of the events contributing to the supply problems. They also pointed to a large debt owed by the national electricity company, Senelec, to independent power producers, which has added to financial stress in the sector.

 

Authorities said Senelec’s financial difficulties have reduced its ability to sustain reliable service, contributing to daily blackouts across the country. The outages have affected households and businesses, while the government has also announced higher tariffs for consumers. Electricity prices are set to rise by 16% from May 1, 2024, a change that officials said will further shape the cost environment for families and companies.

 

In explaining the travel curbs, officials described the measure as a fiscal management tool tied to the wider response to the energy situation. By requiring presidential approval for overseas missions, the government aims to prioritise essential travel and direct resources toward urgent domestic needs linked to the power crisis.

 

The government said the restrictions are expected to remain in place until electricity supply conditions improve and Senelec’s financial position strengthens. However, officials did not provide a specific date for when the limits on travel could be lifted, leaving the duration dependent on how quickly the energy system stabilises and the utility’s finances recover.