At the opening of the National Employers' Council's (CNP) Business Forum, the Senegalese private sector reiterated its main concerns in the presence of four ministers. Business leaders are primarily demanding the payment of domestic debt, which is suffocating many companies, and are demanding to be involved in tax reforms that directly impact their activities.

Echoing Wal Fadjri, CNP President Baïdy Agne stressed the need to ease tax pressure and involve the private sector more in developing economic policies: "We want to be involved from the start. We know the first-come, first-served rule, but the state must involve us, particularly for the law on economic sovereignty." He also called for unity among employers' organizations to "form a truly common force."

In response, Bassirou Sarr, chief of staff to the Minister of Finance, assured that the state was committed to reducing its dependence on the private sector for financing. He announced concrete measures to clear arrears, specifying that an additional 300 billion CFA francs had been included in the 2025 finance law: "We want businesses to have more wealth and be less taxed. This is budget consolidation we are aiming for."

The ministers present delivered clear messages. Serigne Gueye Diop (Industry) warned businesses to prepare for continental competition: "Be ready for AfCFTA, because the Senegalese market is no longer yours."

Déthié Fall (Infrastructures) called on the private sector to always keep in mind the "cost-time-quality" triptych to deliver sustainable projects. "Our infrastructure must stand the test of time without us being forced to redo the work at taxpayer expense."