In recent weeks, officials from the ruling Pastef party have spoken of a supposed drop in the cost of electricity in Senegal. In a social media post touting the government's achievements, El Malick Ndiaye, president of the National Assembly, claimed that a "drastic reduction in the cost of electricity" was observable. For his part, Khadim Bamba Fall, coordinator of the Reception, Orientation, and Monitoring Offices (BAOS) for Senegalese Abroad and Migrants, showed his March bill of 7,000 CFA francs, 18,000 CFA francs less than in January, as proof of this drop.

However, neither Senelec nor the relevant authorities have announced any official rate reductions. Faced with these allegations, Soleil-check, the fact-checking arm of the newspaper Le Soleil, looked into the matter. The verdict: no drop in electricity prices has been recorded.

The Energy Sector Regulatory Commission (CRSE), the sole authority responsible for setting tariffs, was categorical. Contacted by Le Soleil, it confirmed that no changes had been made and that an official statement would be issued if any were made.

So why do some Senegalese perceive a difference? According to experts interviewed by Le Soleil, the answer lies in the current cooler weather. During this season, electricity consumption naturally decreases—fewer air conditioners or fans are running—leading to lower bills without any change in official rates.

As for the perception of a more "abundant" kilowatt-hour (kWh) for the same amount, experts explain that the energy value of a fixed amount can vary depending on consumption brackets and periods. For example, 5,000 CFA francs can represent 53 kWh during periods of high heat, but more during cool periods, due to lower consumption and a different distribution in price scales. This, however, remains independent of an actual price drop.

In short, Soleil-check concludes that this is an illusion linked to climatic conditions, and not a government policy. The claims of Pastef supporters are not currently based on any official measures.