(Ecofin Agency) - Senegalese residents often complain about the high cost of telecom services, particularly the Internet. On May 10, a movement -the front against expensive internet (F4C)- was formed in response.

Telecom service costs, including Internet and calls, are expected to decrease soon. On June 13, Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo, the government’s secretary-general, announced that Senegal’s mobile operators have agreed to the government’s call for lower tariffs.

As a result, Sonatel, Free, and Expresso will introduce new offers that will benefit consumers, especially those purchasing small packages. The new pricing will be finalized after a National Consumer Council (CNC) meeting on June 18. This initiative is part of the Senegalese government's efforts to boost citizens' purchasing power. The government also announced price reductions for essential goods such as bread, granulated sugar, broken rice, and refined oil.

Lower telecom tariffs are expected to drive greater adoption and use of these services. This move aligns with the government’s goal to make Senegal a leader in digital transformation in Africa by 2029.

As of December 31, 2023, Senegal had 22.4 million mobile phone subscribers and 19.8 million Internet subscribers. While the penetration rates for both services exceed 100%, the actual numbers are likely lower due to the prevalence of multi-SIM usage. Additionally, in 2023, Senegal ranked 14th in Africa for ICT development according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), with a score of 66.5 out of 100.