News

Senegal’s GDP Rebasing Cuts Debt Ratio to 80% as Economy Revalued by 13.5%

Senegal’s GDP Rebasing Cuts Debt Ratio to 80% as Economy Revalued by 13.5%
Thursday, 27 November 2025 04:27
  • Senegal revises 2021 GDP up 13.5% by changing base year

  • Informal, previously uncounted sectors now included in national accounts

  • Public debt-to-GDP ratio drops from 90.8% to 80% after rebasing

Senegal's national statistics agency has revised its gross domestic product (GDP) upwards by 13.5% by switching the base year for national accounts to 2021 from 2014, it said on Tuesday.

The National Agency of Statistics and Demography (ANSD) said the value of GDP for 2021 has been adjusted from 15,261 billion CFA francs ($25.6 billion) to 17,316 billion CFA francs ($30.5 billion). The agency stated this change is due to the integration of new data, updated nomenclatures, and economic sectors that were previously poorly measured or unaccounted for.

The revised figures now include informal transport, artisanal gold mining, the cashew sector, rural hydraulics, and certain illegal activities such as prostitution and drug trafficking. The ANSD said this aligns with the 2008 System of National Accounts recommendations and aims to better reflect the true structure of Senegal's economy.

The revision significantly alters the composition of GDP. The tertiary sector now accounts for 53.4% of the economy, up from 50.5%. The secondary sector's share has dropped to 22.6% from 23.9%, and the primary sector now accounts for 15.4%, down from 15.6%. Net taxes have decreased from 10% to 8.7% of GDP.

The rebasing also improves several key fiscal indicators. The public debt-to-GDP ratio for 2021 is now 80%, down from 90.8% previously. The tax-to-GDP ratio has been revised to 15.9% from 18%, and the budget deficit has been lowered from 13.3% of GDP to 11.8%. The current account deficit has been adjusted from -12.1% to -10.7%.

While the rebasing does not address the country's financing needs, it lessens the perceived burden of public debt. This debt was recently reassessed at more than 130% of GDP when including the debt of state-owned companies. Senegal also faces a significant debt repayment wall in 2026, largely related to its external debt service.

According to the ANSD, this update brings Senegal in line with international statistical standards and provides public authorities with "a more reliable basis" for economic planning, budget preparation, and comparison with other countries in the region.

Fiacre E. Kakpo

On the same topic
S&P rated Africa Finance Corporation A/A-1 with positive outlook Strong risk management, low NPLs support infrastructure-focused...
Glencore issued 2026 copper guidance, withheld cobalt forecast amid uncertainty DRC cobalt exports constrained by quotas, copper production...
The World Bank is preparing a $250 million grant-funded project to support SME financing in Niger. The project aligns with Niger’s national...
As Africa’s leading gold producer, Ghana launched a series of reforms in 2025 to better regulate and structure the sector. The effort is being driven in...
Most Read
01

Except for Tunisia entering the Top 10 at Libya’s expense, and Morocco moving up to sixth ahead of A...

Global Firepower Index 2026: Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria Lead Africa's Military Rankings
02

Circular migration is based on structured, value-added mobility between countries of origin and host...

Circular migration as a lever to turn Africa’s student exodus into value
03

BRVM listed the bonds of the FCTC Sonabhy 8.1% 2025–2031, marking Burkina Faso’s first securitiz...

BRVM Lists Burkina Faso’s First Securitization Fund Bonds
04

CBE introduced CBE Connect in partnership with fintech StarPay. The platform enables cross-border...

Ethiopia’s CBE launches digital platform to channel diaspora remittances
05

President Tinubu approved incentives limited to the Bonga South West oil project. The project tar...

Nigeria approves targeted incentives to speed up Shell’s Bonga South West project
Enter your email to receive our newsletter

Ecofin Agency provides daily coverage of nine key African economic sectors: public management, finance, telecoms, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, communication, and education.
It also designs and manages specialized media, both online and print, for African institutions and publishers.

SALES & ADVERTISING

regie@agenceecofin.com 
Tél: +41 22 301 96 11 
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72


EDITORIAL
redaction@agenceecofin.com

More information
Team
Publisher

ECOFIN AGENCY

Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Geneva
Switzerland

 

Ecofin Agency is a sector-focused economic news agency, founded in December 2010. Its web platform was launched in June 2011. ©Mediamania.

 
 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.