Dakar’s surprising cost of living: more expensive than Paris
A widely circulated video has brought to light the astonishingly high prices in Dakar, where common goods, such as chicken sold at 2,610 F CFA per kilo, are more expensive than in Paris. This situation significantly exacerbates the challenges faced by Senegalese citizens regarding their purchasing power.
Despite being a nation with significant economic challenges, Senegal’s capital, Dakar, exhibits a cost of living that ranks among the highest in Africa. This stark reality has been underscored by a viral video, which recently resurfaced, drawing direct comparisons between the prices of everyday essentials in Dakar and Paris, as Senegalese households grapple with a fresh wave of price increases.
Originally posted in December 2025 by French TikToker Simon Labas, the video meticulously compares the cost of various consumer products between Senegal and France. It has once again gained immense traction across TikTok and X in recent days, coinciding with a period where Senegalese consumers are experiencing widespread price hikes, including a notable increase in fuel costs.
Striking price discrepancies
In his compelling presentation, Simon Labas highlights several daily necessities. A whole chicken, for instance, is priced at 2,610 F CFA per kilo in Senegal, while its equivalent in France costs approximately 2,300 F CFA. The popular “Elle & Vire” butter reveals a similar disparity, retailing for 2,990 F CFA in Dakar compared to about 1,990 F CFA in Paris. This trend extends to cooking oil, a fundamental staple in Senegalese households, which is sold for 6,990 F CFA in Senegal versus roughly 6,000 F CFA in France.
The price gap becomes even more pronounced for less essential items. A packet of Chocapic cereal, available for around 1,990 F CFA in France, commands a price of 5,250 F CFA in Senegal—more than double. Similarly, a bottle of Soupline fabric softener is priced at 9,990 F CFA in Dakar, starkly contrasting with approximately 5,600 F CFA in Paris. These significant differences have undoubtedly astonished numerous Senegalese internet users who viewed the video.
Beyond everyday consumer goods, the high cost of living in Dakar also extends to housing and fuel, with the government having recently implemented new price adjustments. This phenomenon is far from trivial; according to a 2024 ranking by Countryeconomy, Senegal is identified as the second most expensive country on the African continent, trailing only Côte d’Ivoire.
