• Senegal launches startup initiative to boost innovation and financing access
  
  
• Plan targets 500+ certified startups, 150,000 jobs by 2034
  
  
• Certified firms gain tax breaks, training, and procurement advantages

Senegal's government on Thursday launched its "Startup Ecosystem" initiative, formally implementing a startup law originally passed in January 2020. The program aims to support Senegalese startups, foster innovation, and improve access to financing.

The framework includes a "Startup Ecosystem" label and a single online portal to streamline the certification process. The government expects to label more than 500 startups, targeting the creation of 150,000 direct jobs by 2034. The initiative will also connect investors, incubators, and technical partners with young companies.

The launch is part of the country's broader "New Deal technologique" and "Senegal 2050" vision, which place technology and innovation at the center of the national development strategy. Certified startups will receive support, including training programs, customs duty exemptions for equipment imports, specific tax incentives, and preferential access to public procurement.

According to global ecosystem researcher StartupBlink, Senegal was home to 48 leading startups in November 2025, ranking 92nd globally and among the leaders in West Africa. The new framework is designed to stimulate local innovation, attract foreign talent and capital, and enhance the country's competitiveness.

Samira Njoya