Aminou Lô: Sénégal Outlines Public Finance Deadlines & Recovery

• Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô outlined a plan for public finance recovery on September 2, 2026, following a technical agreement with the FMI and the announcement of the Plan de Traitement de la Dette Sénégal.
• The Minister of Economy, Finance, and Plan was instructed to expedite the deposit of the revised 2026 Finance Law and submit audit results on domestic arrears for priority payment to TPE, PME, and PMI before year-end.
• A deadline of September 30, 2026, was set for the finalization and review of the 2027 Initial Finance Law by the Council of Ministers.
• Ministers were directed to accelerate subsidy targeting, ensure family security scholarship payments by end-September 2026, and develop departmental roadmaps with selective project planning for the 2027 budget.
• The government also mandated the implementation of land audit recommendations, including the rearrangement of plots in Dakar and Thiès, to revive the construction sector.

The Prime Minister mandated the submission of the results from an audit of domestic arrears to the President of the Republic within the current week.

During a Council of Ministers meeting held on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô presented a comprehensive communication detailing the government's strategy for public finance recovery. His address focused on two critical areas: the necessary follow-up actions stemming from the technical agreement recently reached with the International Monetary Fund (FMI), and the government's operational roadmap for the period spanning September to December 2026.

The Prime Minister highlighted the recent announcement of the Plan de Traitement de la Dette du Sénégal on September 1, 2026, as a significant milestone. This announcement, occurring precisely three months after the formation of the new government, alongside the FMI technical accord, was characterized by Lô as a crucial indicator of the Head of State's mandate. He took the opportunity to commend the Head of State for their instrumental support in achieving this pivotal phase for the nation's financial rehabilitation. Furthermore, Lô extended his appreciation to the Minister of Economy, Finance, and Plan, as well as the teams within the Prime Minister's office, for their demonstrated professionalism and dedication in managing these complex dossiers.

In a move to accelerate fiscal reforms, Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô issued specific directives concerning key financial legislation and outstanding debts. He instructed the Minister of Economy, Finance, and Plan to ensure the expedited deposit of the Loi de Finances rectificative 2026 (revised 2026 Finance Law) before the National Assembly. This measure underscores the urgency in adapting the current fiscal framework.

Additionally, the Prime Minister mandated the submission of the results from an audit of domestic arrears to the President of the Republic within the current week. The primary objective of this audit is to facilitate the priority payment of outstanding claims owed to very small enterprises (TPE), small and medium-sized enterprises (PME), and small and medium-sized industries (PMI) before the close of the year. Looking ahead, Lô set a firm deadline of September 30, 2026, for the finalization and subsequent review of the draft Loi de Finances Initiale 2027 (Initial Finance Law 2027) by the Council of Ministers.

Beyond immediate fiscal adjustments, the Prime Minister's agenda also addressed critical social welfare initiatives and the broader governmental planning framework. He urged the relevant ministers to expedite the implementation of a mechanism for targeting subsidies, ensuring that support reaches those most in need. Concurrently, instructions were given to guarantee the payment of national family security scholarships by the end of September 2026, reinforcing the government's commitment to social protection.

In a broader strategic move, Lô called upon each minister to prioritize the development of detailed roadmaps for their respective departments. These roadmaps are expected to precisely identify projects slated for completion by the end of 2026, as well as those planned for execution between 2027 and 2029. The Prime Minister emphasized the critical importance of selectivity and structured planning for all proposed projects, as these criteria will be instrumental in arbitrating budgetary requests for the upcoming Loi de Finances Initiale 2027.

Acknowledging the pressing need to stimulate economic growth, Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô specifically addressed the revitalization of the construction sector. He directed the Ministers of Urbanism, Finance, and Interior to take all necessary steps to implement the recommendations put forth by the Land Audit Monitoring Committee. These recommendations are particularly focused on the rearrangement of certain land plots located in the key urban centers of Dakar and Thiès.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to unblock bottlenecks and create a more conducive environment for development projects, thereby contributing to the overall economic recovery. The coordinated action across these ministries underscores the government's integrated approach to leveraging infrastructure and urban planning as drivers for national prosperity.

Lawyers should monitor the expedited deposit of the revised 2026 Finance Law and the 2027 Initial Finance Law for potential changes impacting tax and budgetary provisions. Clients, particularly TPE, PME, and PMI, should prepare to follow up on the audit of domestic arrears for priority payment opportunities before year-end.

Source: Original reporting via Le Soleil