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 like chicken, sold at 2,610 F CFA per kilogram, are more expensive than in Paris. This phenomenon significantly exacerbates the challenge of purchasing power for Senegalese citizens.
Despite being a nation with limited resources, Senegal’s capital, Dakar, exhibits a cost of living that ranks among the highest in Africa. This striking reality has been prominently featured in a viral video comparing the prices of everyday items between Dakar and Paris, gaining renewed attention as Senegalese households confront a fresh wave of price increases.
Originally posted in December 2025 by French TikTok creator Simon Labas, the video detailing the comparative costs of various consumer products in Senegal and France has recently experienced a resurgence in popularity across TikTok and X. This renewed viral spread coincides with a period of widespread price hikes affecting Senegalese residents, including a notable increase in fuel costs.
Striking price discrepancies revealed
In his compelling comparison, Simon Labas examines several household staples. A whole chicken, for instance, commands a price of 2,610 F CFA per kilogram in Senegal, surprisingly surpassing the approximate 2,300 F CFA equivalent in France. Similarly, a pack of “Elle & Vire” butter costs 2,990 F CFA in Dakar, a significant jump from the roughly 1,990 F CFA equivalent found in Paris. Even essential cooking oil demonstrates a notable price difference, retailing at 6,990 F CFA in Senegal compared to an estimated 6,000 F CFA in France.
The price gap widens even further for less essential, yet commonly consumed, products. A box of Chocapic cereal, which is available for approximately 1,990 F CFA in France, is sold at a staggering 5,250 F CFA in Senegal – more than double the price. Fabric softener, such as Soupline, follows a similar trend, priced at 9,990 F CFA in Dakar against an equivalent of 5,600 F CFA in Paris. These considerable discrepancies have undoubtedly surprised numerous Senegalese internet users who viewed the video.
Beyond daily consumer goods, the elevated cost of living in Dakar also extends to crucial sectors like housing and fuel, with the government having recently implemented new price adjustments for the latter. This situation is far from an isolated incident; according to a 2024 ranking compiled by Countryeconomy, Senegal has been identified as the second most expensive country on the African continent, only outranked by Côte d’Ivoire.
