• Government targets underserved rural and remote areas
• Program aims to connect one million people by end-2026
• Satellite access to complement existing mobile networks

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on February 7 launched a national universal connectivity initiative aimed at providing free internet access to one million people, with priority given to areas where digital access has so far been limited or almost nonexistent.

The launch ceremony was held in Kédougou, in southeastern Senegal, at the Mamba Guirassy Technical and Mining High School. The president said the initiative is part of the New Deal Technologique, the national strategy to build a more connected and innovative society and expand access to digital opportunities.

The program primarily targets rural areas, training institutions, schools, health centers, and remote communities. It is designed to open access to digital resources and educational platforms, enabling learners to follow online courses, improve learning outcomes, and better align training with labor market needs. The initiative also seeks to modernize technical education and prepare young people for job market requirements. President Faye described the expanded connectivity as an “infinite library” accessible to all, including from remote locations.

The launch follows the recent arrival of Starlink in Senegal. The government has negotiated the purchase of 5,000 satellite terminals at preferential rates to support the program and connect one million people by the end of 2026. Satellite access is expected to complement traditional mobile infrastructure and reduce coverage gaps in areas where internet access remains weak despite investments by mobile operators.

Senegal already records mobile network performance above the West African average. According to GSMA data, 4G coverage reaches about 97% of the population, while 5G covers around 39%, mainly in major urban centers. Despite this coverage, a usage gap persists in household internet access. Only 3% of rural households have internet access, compared with 43.8% in Dakar, according to a national ICT survey conducted by the telecommunications regulator ARTP in partnership with the national statistics agency ANSD.

Against this backdrop, the universal connectivity project aims to narrow these disparities and accelerate digital inclusion. A GSMA report estimates that reforms and wider internet adoption in Senegal could connect an additional 2.6 million people by 2030, generate up to CFA1,100 billion, or about $1.9 billion, in economic growth, and create around 280,000 jobs in digital services, education, and related sectors.

Samira Njoya