The Senegalese government has unveiled a $8.3 million (5 billion CFA francs) program to modernize the country’s retail sector and address distribution imbalances. The initiative will establish a network of 2,000 standardized “reference shops” nationwide, ranging from small convenience stores to larger supermarket formats. These shops will serve as models for quality, sourcing, and management standards within the retail landscape, which currently comprises approximately 100,000 points of sale. A key component of the plan is a collective purchasing center designed to streamline ordering, reduce costs, and stabilize prices for consumers. This center will also directly connect retailers with local agricultural and industrial producers, minimizing the role of intermediaries. A joint-stock company, primarily controlled by private sector actors, will manage the purchasing center and oversee the program’s implementation. The government views this project as strategically important for structuring local commerce and improving access to essential goods.