The Senegalese government has released the results of the 2025 Open Budget Survey, which reveals mixed performance in budget transparency, citizen participation, and budget control. According to the survey, Senegal scored 42 out of 100 in transparency, 6 out of 100 in citizen participation, and 31 out of 100 in budget control. The survey was conducted by the International Budget Partnership (IBP) and presented at a workshop attended by the Ministry of Finance, the National Assembly, and civil society organizations.
The survey highlights that Senegal has made limited progress in budget transparency, with a score of 42 out of 100, which is below the threshold of 61 out of 100 considered satisfactory. However, the country has shown improvement in citizen participation, increasing its score from 0 out of 100 in 2023 to 6 out of 100 in 2025. This improvement is attributed to efforts made by the government to increase access to information and citizen participation.
Despite progress in citizen participation, the survey reveals a decline in budget control, with a score of 31 out of 100 in 2025, down from 33 out of 100 in 2023. This decline raises concerns about the effectiveness of oversight by competent institutions, including the National Assembly and the Court of Auditors. Civil society organizations have called for improved oversight and accountability in budget management.
The survey also highlights the importance of parliamentary oversight in ensuring effective budget management. According to Cheikh Tidiane Cissé, director of the NGO 3D, the National Assembly needs to identify the challenges hindering its oversight work and seek solutions with technical partners. The Open Budget Survey assesses the availability, publication, and accessibility of budget information, as well as public participation and oversight.
The survey's results have implications for citizen access to budget information, particularly for those living in remote areas. Civil society organizations emphasize that budget information should be accessible and understandable to all citizens, enabling them to appreciate the government's choices and their impact on essential sectors such as health, education, and water.
The Ministry of Finance has acknowledged the survey's findings and committed to addressing the identified shortcomings. Abdou Aziz Diagne, representing the Directorate General of Budget, recognizes that the main weaknesses lie in participation and publication of certain documents. He emphasizes that these issues can be addressed and that the budget is a law passed on behalf of the people.
The 2025 Open Budget Survey results have also been compared to those of other countries in the region. Djibril Badiane, director of the IBP's program for Francophone Africa, notes that Senegal has declined in ranking, scoring 42 out of 100 in transparency, and is surpassed by countries such as Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, and Cameroon. The main weakness identified is citizen participation, which, although improved, remains a significant challenge.
Key points
- Senegal scores 42/100 in budget transparency, 6/100 in citizen participation, and 31/100 in budget control.
- The country has shown improvement in citizen participation but decline in budget control.
- Civil society organizations emphasize the need for improved oversight, accountability, and citizen access to budget information.
