Senegal recently reached an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), prompting concerns about potential fuel price increases. However, the IMF’s mission chief for Senegal, Vera Mercedes, clarified that the organization is not demanding an immediate, sharp rise in pump prices. Instead, the IMF is requesting a gradual reduction of public subsidies on fuel, which currently represent 3% of Senegal’s gross domestic product—a significant increase from 1.1% previously. The IMF aims to manage these subsidies to alleviate the burden on Senegal’s public finances, but not to eliminate them abruptly. Favorable projections of declining global oil prices may help absorb some of the subsidy reductions, minimizing the impact on consumers in Senegal. Mercedes emphasized their goal is gradual reduction, not complete removal, spread over time and does not necessitate an immediate tariff shock.