• Senegal will deploy satellite antennas nationwide in 2026, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye said.
• The program aims to provide free internet access to nearly one million people.
• Only 42% of Senegal’s population currently uses mobile broadband, despite broad 4G coverage.

Senegal has stepped up efforts to achieve universal connectivity as gaps in mobile internet access persist despite sustained telecom investments.

During his address to the nation on December 31, 2025, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye announced a program to deploy satellite antennas across the country in 2026.

The president said the investment would help provide free internet access to nearly one million people.

The government expects the program to primarily benefit rural areas and underserved peripheral neighborhoods where telecom network coverage remains weak.

According to a study titled “Stimulating the Digital Transformation of Senegal’s Economy: Opportunities, Policy Recommendations, and the Role of Mobile”, published on December 5, 2025, by the GSM Association, Senegal has achieved near-universal 4G coverage.

The GSMA said 4G networks now cover about 97% of the population, while 5G coverage reaches around 39%, mainly in major urban centers.

Out of a population of roughly 18 million, about 9.9 million people use mobile services, representing nearly 52% of the population.

Only 8.16 million Senegalese use mobile broadband internet, which corresponds to about 42% of the population.

The government opted for satellite antennas to address a structural constraint. Nationwide fiber-optic deployment requires time and significant capital.

Recent solutions based on low-Earth-orbit satellite constellations offer faster deployment, including in hard-to-reach areas.

Authorities have not yet specified the operational model for the satellite antennas. However, the expected impact of the promised internet service suggests several potential use cases.

Multiple gains in prospect

In education, the stakes remain high.

Regular internet access can provide teachers with updated resources, facilitate distance learning, and give students access to digital libraries and interactive exercises.

For students located far from campuses, connectivity can directly support academic success while reducing spending on cybercafés and mobile data plans.

In healthcare, telemedicine could expand.

Internet access can enable remote consultations between health posts and hospitals, accelerate medical data transmission, support chronic patient monitoring, and strengthen continuous training for healthcare workers.

In remote areas, internet connectivity can also serve as an alert and coordination tool during epidemics or emergencies.

The program also carries economic implications.

For micro-entrepreneurs, free internet access can enable e-commerce, digital payments, social media marketing, and access to agricultural price information and market opportunities.

Public administrations also view connectivity as a catalyst for digitalization, including civil registry services, social assistance procedures, tax information, alerts, and local communication.