Despite being classified as a low-income nation, Senegal’s capital is now ranked among Africa’s most expensive cities, a reality underscored by a trending social media comparison pitting Dakar’s prices against Paris’s. This stark contrast comes at a time when Senegalese families are grappling with fresh price hikes across the board.

A recent viral video, originally posted in December 2025 by French TikToker Simon Labas, has resurfaced on platforms like TikTok and X, sparking widespread reactions. The footage contrasts the cost of everyday items between Senegal and France, coinciding with a broader surge in prices—including fuel—that has intensified economic strain on households.

Price disparities that defy expectations

The comparison highlights glaring price differences for staple products. Whole chicken, sold at 2,610 FCFA per kilogram in Dakar, costs the equivalent of 2,300 FCFA in Paris. Butter brands like « Elle & Vire » show a similar gap: 2,990 FCFA in Dakar versus 1,990 FCFA in Paris. Cooking oil, a dietary cornerstone in Senegal, is priced at 6,990 FCFA in Dakar compared to 6,000 FCFA in Paris.

The disparities grow even more pronounced for non-essential items. A box of Chocapic cereal, which retails for 1,990 FCFA in France, is sold at 5,250 FCFA in Dakar—more than double the price. Similarly, a bottle of Soupline fabric softener costs 9,990 FCFA in Dakar, nearly double its 5,600 FCFA price tag in Paris. These revelations have left many Senegalese internet users stunned.

Beyond groceries, the high cost of living in Dakar extends to housing and fuel, with recent government adjustments pushing prices even higher. This issue is far from trivial: according to a 2024 ranking by Countryeconomy, Senegal ranks as Africa’s second-most expensive country to live in, trailing only Côte d’Ivoire.