The African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA) has applauded Senegal’s landmark decision to raise its tobacco tax rate from 70 percent to 100 percent, calling it a “wake-up call for Africa” as it demonstrates how bold domestic policy can finance development and protect public health.
In a statement made available to Pan-Atlantic Kompass on Monday, Interim Executive Secretary of ATCA, Mrs. Kouami Kossiwa, hailed the tax increase as a cornerstone of Senegal’s newly unveiled national recovery plan. Under the plan, Senegal aims to mobilize more than CFA 4.6 trillion (approximately US $8.16 billion) between 2025 and 2028, financing 90 percent of its recovery efforts through homegrown revenue without raising its national debt.
“Senegal’s move marks a decisive shift toward self-sufficiency and responsible governance in financing Africa’s development,” Kossiwa said. “In the face of mounting economic pressure, Senegal has chosen a path of fiscal responsibility and public health protection, demonstrating that sustainable development is possible through courageous, homegrown policy choices.”
The tobacco tax hike plays a critical role in Senegal’s goal to reduce its budget deficit from 12 percent of gross domestic product in 2024 to 3 percent by 2027. It also targets one of the continent’s most entrenched health challenges: tobacco use.
According to the statement “Tobacco is a deadly product. It kills more than 8 million people globally every year and is a growing threat to public health across Africa. Its economic burden is equally staggering; tobacco-related diseases strain national health systems, drain national health budgets, reduce workforce productivity, and exacerbate poverty.
“By increasing tobacco taxes, Senegal is not only protecting its citizens, it is also generating critical revenue for national development,” Kossiwa noted. “This is a proven strategy that reduces tobacco consumption—especially among youth and low-income populations—while creating a sustainable stream of domestic funding.”
ATCA’s statement urged other African governments including Nigeria to follow Senegal’s lead. It recommended that countries earmark a portion of tobacco-tax revenues specifically for health initiatives such as tobacco control programs, health promotion campaigns, and treatment for non-communicable diseases.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that as of 2025, Nigeria still levies a 30 percent ad valorem excise tax on the manufacturer’s price of tobacco products and a specific tax of ₦84 per pack of 20 cigarettes for end smokers. Further checks by this digital magazine show the combined excise duties account for roughly 25 percent of the average retail price of a cigarette pack, according to nigeria.tobaccocontroldata.org. By contrast, this implies Nigeria is currently lagging behind the Senegalese tobacco control measures by far, as the west African nation has now raised its tobacco tax from the initial 70 percent to a wholesome 100 percent. This serves as a punitive measure to reign in tobacco industry and its antics in Senegal to a greater extent, while funding the country’s critical developmental agenda with proceeds.
“Now is the time for governments to act decisively: protecting lives, strengthening health systems, and investing in a healthier future for all,” the statement read.
Senegal’s policy shift comes at a time when foreign aid is increasingly uncertain. By relying on domestic resources rather than external funding, Senegal is positioning itself as a model of resilience and innovation in public financing. ATCA posited that such measures could fundamentally change how African nations approach both economic recovery and public health.
“Africa must rise to meet its own challenges. We can no longer afford to wait for external solutions. The bold action taken by Senegal is a powerful step in the right direction—a model of leadership, courage, and commitment to the well-being of its people. It is time for Africa to rise, to act, and to lead,” Kossiwa concluded.
