President Bassirou Diomaye Faye unveiled the “Technological New Deal” (NDT) on Monday, an ambitious national strategy designed to accelerate Senegal’s digital transformation and establish it as a key driver of economic and social progress.
The launch took place at the Diamniadio International Conference Center, near Dakar, marking a new era for the West African nation.
With a total investment of 1,105 billion CFA francs, including 950 billion already allocated in the budget, this project aligns with the new government’s National Transformation Agenda Senegal 2050, representing a decisive shift in the country’s digital modernisation.
President Faye emphasised that this strategy stems from a clear vision to leverage digital technology for development. “We must secure our infrastructure, protect our critical data, and foster the emergence of national champions capable of excelling internationally,” he stated.
In a world where digital technology has become indispensable, it is essential for Senegal to redefine its priorities by focusing on innovation and technology to ensure a prosperous future for its citizens, he stressed, noting that the digitalisation of public services is a top priority.
The Technological New Deal rests on four main pillars: strengthening digital infrastructure, digitalising public services, developing the digital economy, and positioning Senegal as a regional technological hub.
Through these new directions, Senegal plans to secure its telecommunications networks, improve storage capacities and ensure better control of data flows.
The goal is also to simplify administrative procedures by setting up a single citizen window and a universal digital identity, facilitating access to services for all Senegalese.
In addition, the government aims to train 100,000 graduates and 5,000 certified experts per year, to label 500 startups and create 350,000 direct and indirect jobs in the digital sector.
Through the fourth axis, the ambition will involve attracting investment and strengthening synergies between local and international technology companies.
The overall objective of this project, which will be implemented until 2034, is to achieve a digital contribution of 15% of GDP, by reforming the governance of the sector and ensuring equitable digital access, particularly in rural areas.
Thanks to the NDT, concrete solutions will be put in place, including universal access to the Internet, a unique digital identity and a single citizen window, designed to simplify interactions with the administration.
This transformation also aims to reduce inequalities between urban and rural areas, while strengthening the transparency and efficiency of public governance, the head of state recalled. He also indicated that support for local businesses and academic institutions will be a priority to foster innovation and the emergence of national champions capable of shining beyond borders.
According to Isidore Diouf, Managing Director of Sénégal Numérique SA, the NDT is the result of collaborative work, enriched by more than a thousand contributions and several workshops. He stressed the importance of solid infrastructure and appropriate regulations to close the gap with major digital economies.
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Communications, Mamadou Seck, said that digitalisation will help fight corruption, strengthen tax transparency and improve economic productivity. His colleague Mohamed Diaby highlighted the challenge of cybersecurity and the need for a secure framework against cyber threats.
In addition, a National Digital Council, composed of 20 experts and attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, will be responsible for the monitoring and strategic guidance of the project.
“Let’s make the NDT an engine of progress, not only for Senegal, but for all of Africa,” concluded President Faye, calling on technical and financial partners to support this dynamic.
ODL/te/lb/as/APA