How the WAP stabilized and rationalized the exchanges on the Senegalese markets

There was once a time when the wholesalers called all the shots on the markets of Dakar by forcing the prices down as low as was possible. There were a certain number of unscrupulous go-betweens who pocketed comfortable commissions by gambling on the differences in price between one market and another. Because there were no common references, the fishermen and small fruit and vegetable growers were in no position to defend their mutual interests. Today, things have changed. This mini-revolution has been brought about by the launch in 2001 of a platform of WAP services by Manobi, a Franco-Senegalese start-up. The objective is to keep a permanent check on the prices of fresh tropical produce on half a dozen local markets within a radius of 40 km around the capital and give all market stall-holders the same information to help them negotiate on a level footing.