After a period of unnecessary turbulence following the postponement of Senegal's national elections, President Macky Sall has bought an end to speculation by confirming his date of departure from office.

"The National Dialogue has called for the 2nd of June 2024 as the new date for presidential elections in Senegal. I want to make it categorically clear that I will step down from office on the 2nd of April, as I have previously made clear. My departure date is absolutely firm," he tweeted on Thursday. 

That clarity is important for the country's usually optimistic business community, which feared that an extended period of uncertainty could hit confidence and weigh on growth. They hope that a peaceful and seamless transition to new leadership will enable the economy - projected by the IMF to expand this year at 8.8% - to continue on its bold upwards trajectory. With future oil and gas windfalls expected, a politically stable Senegal could play a leading role in West Africa. By Davis Thomas, African Business