(Ecofin Agency) - The Senegalese telecoms ministry announces the forthcoming construction of Digital Centers in each of the country's 45 departments. Minister Ndèye Tické Ndiaye Diop (photo) said this on July 19, 2019, at the opening of the Ministry’s National Validation Workshop for the Joint Annual Review.

She believes the project will bring administrative services closer to people, thus making them save time and money. They will be able to pay their taxes, request a birth certificate, a driving license, a building permit, a criminal record certificate, etc. A total of 700 administrative services and procedures should be accessible to citizens by 2025 according to the State IT Agency (ADIE).

The Agency says the first “digital houses” should be installed in Louga, Saint-Louis, Thiès, Kaolack and Fatick. The project is part of the ongoing Administrative Services Digitalization and Computerization Program and aligns with the “Smart Territoire” initiative; an initiative launched by the government, under the “Sénégal numérique 2025” (Digital Senegal 2025) strategy, to reduce the digital divide.