• Senegal sets its 2026 Digital Ministry budget at CFA81.06 billion, with nearly 60% directed to investments.

• The “New Deal Technologique” strategy targets CFA1,105 billion in digital investment by 2026.

• Priority projects include universal coverage, one million free connections, a sovereign cloud, and biometric digital identity.

The government launched the “New Deal Technologique” in February 2025 and set cumulative investment targets of CFA1,105 billion by 2026. Authorities frame this strategy as a cornerstone of Senegal’s ambition to become a sovereign digital society and a leading African tech hub by 2034.

The Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications and the Digital Economy will operate with a 2026 budget of CFA81.06 billion (USD 143.93 million). The National Assembly examined and adopted the budget last week. The ministry will direct nearly 60% of the allocation to investment, a share officials describe as crucial to advancing the national digital vision.

The ministry will dedicate CFA58.2 billion to digital and telecom projects. The spending will support digital governance, cybersecurity, and the development of the digital economy. Authorities prioritize universal coverage, free connectivity for one million people, a sovereign cloud, biometric digital identity, administrative interoperability, a citizen one-stop-shop and “zero-paper” public services.

The ministry said in a December 4 plenary report shared on its Facebook page: “15% of GDP through the digital economy by 2034: this is not a slogan, it is the quantified target of the New Deal. Startup Act, Tech Park, Digital Factory, CFA 200 billion fund for start-ups: the State is investing massively. But we must collectively do more, accelerate further, to capture the full benefits of this revolution.”

The strategy outlines objectives that range from universal Internet access to the creation of 500 certified start-ups, the training of 100,000 young graduates, the creation of 150,000 direct jobs, accelerated digital innovation, and local hosting of all sensitive data. The GSMA estimates that the digital sector could contribute CFA1,100 billion in added value to Senegal’s economy by 2030.

Senegal ranked 135th out of 193 countries in the latest UN E-Government Development Index (EGDI), with a score of 0.5162. The country exceeded the African average but trailed the global benchmark.

In telecom infrastructure, Senegal scored 0.7329, above the global average. However, it posted lower results in online services (0.4779) and human capital (0.3380), underscoring the need for continued investment and capacity-building.

This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum