Assembly Rejection Decision: New Concerns Over Electricity and Fuel Prices

The rejection in committee of the 2027 budget proposal has revived concerns about electricity bills and fuel prices, although no price increase has been announced. The proposal would cut energy subsidies from 790.3 billion CFA francs in 2026 to 477 billion in 2027, aiming to limit their cost to 1% of GDP by 2029. Economy and Finance Minister Cheikh Diba says low-income households will be protected, including through continued subsidies for small-container butane and a social electricity tariff. Some of the savings would fund a doubling of Family Security Grants to 140 billion CFA francs.