AfDB reveals how Senegal became the region’s most indebted country

The African Development Bank reports that West Africa’s external debt fell from 39.1% of GDP in 2024 to 35.6% in 2025. Following a 2025 audit, Senegal’s total public debt was revised to about 132% of GDP, making it the region’s most indebted country; the earlier estimate put external debt at 58.9% of GDP. Debt service amounted to 41.9% of Senegal’s exports in 2025, constraining budget capacity, and is expected to remain high through 2027 despite greater use of domestic markets and concessional financing.