Renégociations contrats ICS : « L’État a décidé de reprendre tous ses actifs » (PM Sonko)
It was a key promise of the Diomaye-Sonko tandem's "Project." Today it is a reality. The renegotiation of contracts and agreements, conducted quietly by the National Commission for the Re-evaluation and Renegotiation of Oil, Gas and Mining Contracts under the supervision of the Prime Minister, has just delivered its results.
Speaking to the press on Thursday, March 12, 2026, the head of government reviewed the "titanic" work done by the commission since its creation in August 2024, ranging from the mining sector to the hydrocarbons sector, including the hydraulics and telecoms sectors, among others.
Focusing initially on the mining sector, the Prime Minister revealed the numerous shortcomings noted by the commission, particularly those relating to the agreement between the State of Senegal and the Chemical Industries of Senegal (ICS).
Indeed, after examining this agreement, in parallel with an inspection mission by the IGE, the findings, according to the PM, are that "during the entire duration of this contract, Senegal was seriously harmed."
The estimated loss of revenue amounts to 1,075.9 billion CFA francs.
According to the head of government, "the shortfall has been estimated at 1,075.9 billion CFA francs." He indicated that several types of violations and breaches had been observed. "Among other things, we can point to the non-payment of taxes and fees because tax exemptions were granted to this company on non-existent legal grounds, simply at the whim of a minister," Ousmane Sonko emphasized, recalling in this regard that in Senegal, "exemptions can only be granted by law and solely by law."
In addition to the undue tax advantages granted, the commission's report, unveiled by the Prime Minister, also highlights "operations that deprived the State of Senegal of its stake in these companies." "The State of Senegal was a shareholder and went from being almost the main shareholder to being completely excluded from the shareholding, only to return and have a 15% stake reassigned to it. This also generated a shortfall that has been quantified," he explains.
The head of government condemns the debt waivers, which are entirely unjustified in favor of the company, and assures that all consequences will be addressed.
Takeover of all assets
The government has taken precautionary measures, including freezing the company's accounts and compelling it to pay what it owes to the State of Senegal. This follows a notification sent to the company demanding payment of royalties exceeding 200 billion CFA francs.
"We have decided not to renew either the concession, the three mining concessions or the establishment agreement for the industry," said the Prime Minister, who indicated that the State's intention is "to take back all the assets, to define for ourselves what we want from our phosphates, and this has already been done."
"Our phosphates must first serve Senegal and the Senegalese people, its agriculture, but also, in much more ambitious projections, all uses, possibly even the production of LFP batteries," says Ousmane Sonko, noting that the options are to move towards tailor-made fertilizers first for national consumption before realizing the State's ambition to be a leader in the sub-regional market.
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