Thiès, Senegal – A new central fish market opened on Saturday, representing a more than 2 billion CFA franc investment aimed at modernizing the region’s fishing industry and tackling longstanding issues of waste and inefficiency. The facility, entirely funded by Senegal’s National Agency for Maritime Affairs (ANAM), promises to transform how seafood is processed and distributed in the area.
A Fresh Catch for Thiès: New Market Aims to Boost Senegal’s Seafood Sector
The newly inaugurated market in Thiès is poised to address post-harvest losses and improve the competitiveness of Senegal’s vital fishing industry.
- The 3,200 square meter market boasts an annual processing capacity of 8,000 tonnes.
- It features 300 modern stalls, dedicated preparation areas, and ample cold storage.
- The market incorporates sustainable features like solar power and wastewater treatment.
- The project is aligned with Senegal’s national development goals for the fishing sector.
Located in Diassap, just outside Thiès on the Thiès–Tivaouane axis, the market was intentionally designed as a regional distribution hub. “We wanted modern equipment, compliant with health standards, capable of meeting the challenges of conservation, traceability and competitiveness,” declared Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, Fatou Diouf, during the inauguration ceremony.
The expansive infrastructure includes 300 modern stalls, a dedicated area for scaling and preparing fish, five large-capacity cold rooms, and two independent ice-making units – all designed to maintain product freshness. According to Bécaye Diop, the director-general of ANAM, the project prioritized user comfort and functionality. “Comfort and functionality were placed at the heart of the system, with a R+2 building for users to rest, a mosque, modern public toilets, a restaurant and meeting rooms equipped for professional exchanges,” he explained.
Beyond its core functions, the market is designed with environmental sustainability in mind. It will utilize a wastewater treatment system, a water tower for a consistent supply, and solar power for public lighting and water heating. Minister Diouf emphasized that the new market directly addresses long-standing problems in the region. “Thies occupies a strategic place in the national fishing sector. It concentrates landings from the Petite and Grande Côte, with an annual production estimated at more than 130,000 tonnes for a value exceeding 80 billion FCFA,” she stated.
The region is also experiencing growth in aquaculture, with 54 farms currently operating, signaling a diversification of fishing activities. This potential, the minister noted, “must be supported by modern infrastructure, meeting market requirements.”
The central fish market in Thiès is a key component of the Ministry’s 2025-2029 Sector Policy Letter and aligns with the broader Vision Senegal 2050 development plan. “It marks the end of informality, precariousness and avoidable losses,” Diouf asserted. She urged all stakeholders to embrace responsible management practices to ensure the market’s economic viability, equipment maintenance, and improved livelihoods for fishermen, fishmongers, processors, and transporters. The new facility solidifies Thiès’s position as a central hub for seafood production, processing, and consumption.
