(Ecofin Agency) - In 2017, the ICT sector has generated CFA636.3 billion of revenues, thus 5.1% of Senegal’s GDP which is about CFA25,400 billion. This is the estimate given by the outlook and economic studies division (DPEE) of the Senegalese ministry of economy, finance and planning in its “2017 economic and financial situation and 2018 forecasts” report.

In 2016, economic growth was at 8.7% with an income of CFA601.4 billion and ICT sector had generated CFA471 billion. This was in a context marked by the rise of 4G and a penetration rate for mobile telephony exceeding 100%.

Meanwhile, in 2017, telecoms services recorded a slight increase of 0.8% against +5.7% in 2016. As for “other information and communication services”, they generated CFA165.3 billion.

According to DPEE’s forecasts for 2018, the share of ICT in GDP will slightly decline at 5.0% despite higher revenues (CFA681.9 billion), spurred by “the strong growth of 'other information and communication services' (+19.2% in 2018 against +19.7% in 2017). Meanwhile, telecoms services are expected to grow timidly (+2% in 2018 compared to +0.8% in 2017)”. 

However, the division said that telecoms services should benefit from 4G's launch and a growing innovation in the ICT sector.

Muriel Edjo