• President Diomaye Faye announced a satellite internet deal to cover Senegal by year-end.

• Only 3% of rural households currently have home internet access, versus 43.8% in Dakar.

• The project is part of Senegal’s New Deal Technologique, which expands connectivity and supports startups.

Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye announced on September 22 in New York that his government signed an agreement with a satellite operator to deliver full nationwide internet coverage by the end of 2025.

The announcement took place at Unstoppable Africa, part of the Global Africa Business Initiative. “We signed with a satellite operator so that before the end of this year we can cover the entire territory with perfect redundancy for higher-quality connectivity,” Faye said. He stressed his government’s commitment to reducing digital inequalities.

Senegal has already deployed about 6,000 kilometers of fiber optic infrastructure. However, large “white zones” remain unserved. The president said the new contract, for which all administrative procedures are completed, will target these areas.

The initiative aligns with the government’s New Deal Technologique, Senegal’s digital roadmap centered on expanding connectivity. Beyond infrastructure, Faye highlighted new projects including a national innovation hub, the GovNum digital governance initiative, and legislative tools such as the Startup Act and Senegal Connect Startup, designed to boost the tech ecosystem.

The government has not revealed the identity of the chosen satellite operator. Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet provider, appears as a likely candidate. Starlink previously announced plans to launch in Senegal in 2025, offering high-speed satellite internet. On its website, the company opened preorders starting at $9 for reservation of equipment, pending regulatory approval.

The rollout of satellite internet could significantly reshape Senegal’s digital landscape, especially in rural areas where access remains limited. A July 17 survey by the national telecom regulator ARTP and the national statistics agency ANSD found that only 3% of rural households have home internet, compared with 43.8% in Dakar.

The expansion, if completed, could support both inclusion and economic modernization, while strengthening Senegal’s ambition to become a regional digital hub.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum