Senegal is making an ambitious push to become one of Africa’s leading digital economies through a national transformation agenda focused on smart cities, innovation, and technology-driven growth.
At the centre of this vision is the country’s newly launched digital strategy, the New Deal Technologique, a long-term roadmap designed to position Senegal as a regional and global technology hub by 2034. Backed by an investment package estimated at CFA 1,105 billion, equivalent to roughly $1.7 billion, the initiative highlights Senegal’s determination to strengthen its role within Africa’s rapidly growing digital economy while promoting broad-based economic modernisation.
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The strategy is built around four key pillars aimed at transforming both the public and private sectors.
The first focuses on digital sovereignty, with the government seeking to reduce dependence on foreign technologies by encouraging local innovation, strengthening cybersecurity systems, developing national data centres, and improving control over sensitive digital infrastructure and data.
The second pillar centres on the digitisation of public services. Senegal aims to digitally transform 90 percent of government services by 2034 in order to improve efficiency, transparency, and public access nationwide.
Another major component of the plan involves expanding the digital economy through wider internet access, stronger support for tech entrepreneurship, and the integration of artificial intelligence into sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and public administration. Authorities also intend to digitise large parts of the informal economy while accelerating the development of smart cities capable of supporting sustainable urban growth.
The final pillar aims to position Senegal as one of Africa’s leading technology destinations by attracting foreign direct investment, supporting local tech companies, and strengthening the country’s competitiveness in digital exports and innovation.
To achieve these goals, Senegal has introduced a comprehensive Digital Master Plan that includes 12 flagship programmes and 50 strategic projects focused on building a secure and reliable digital ecosystem. Planned reforms include the rollout of national digital identity systems, electronic signatures, improved interoperability between digital services, stronger regulation of critical infrastructure, and expanded support for startups and innovation hubs.
By 2034, Senegal hopes to achieve 95 percent affordable internet coverage, create more than 150,000 direct digital jobs, and support the growth of over 500 certified tech startups. The country also plans to train 100,000 digital professionals, ensure that 90 percent receive internationally recognised certifications, and guarantee that sensitive national data remains stored within Senegal.
The scale of financial commitment behind the strategy reflects growing confidence in Senegal’s digital future. Of the CFA 1,105 billion required for implementation, approximately CFA 950 billion has already been secured, including CFA 150 billion from private investors. The remaining CFA 155 billion is expected to be mobilised through additional partnerships and financing arrangements.
With this roadmap, Senegal is positioning itself as one of Africa’s emerging digital powerhouses. The country aims to attract investors, innovators, and technology talent from across the continent and beyond while building a future driven by smart infrastructure, digital innovation, and long-term economic growth.
