Senegal's oil boom faces youth unemployment crisis despite record national growth
via SeneNews4 min read
In July 2026, Senegal is experiencing record national growth driven by offshore platforms at Sangomar and Grand Tortue Ahmeyim, with crude oil exports from Sangomar becoming the country's primary export product, injecting over 200 billion FCFA monthly and significantly reducing the national budget deficit. However, this economic prosperity is contrasted by an alarming social reality: youth unemployment is nearly 23%. Reports from the ANSD indicate that over 35% of young Senegalese are classified as NEET Not in Employment, Education, or Training. This paradox highlights a "growth without jobs" scenario, where the extractive industry generates substantial wealth for the state but creates few employment opportunities. Dr. Ama Diallo, a research professor, notes that while oil enriches the state, it does not improve the daily lives of households in Dakar's suburbs. The current government's rigorous sovereignty policy aims to maximize national gains from oil contracts, but public funds alone cannot spontaneously create millions of jobs. A significant skills mismatch exists, with 70% of local graduates holding degrees in humanities and management, while the offshore industry requires highly specialized technical skills. Fatima Ba, an employment policy specialist, emphasizes the need for training reform, stating that offshore platforms require highly specialized engineers, not humanities graduates. Traditional sectors like artisanal fishing and agriculture are struggling, leading ma
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