Digital divide: 40% of Senegalese still without access to connectivity

The digital divide remains a worrying reality in Senegal. In a plenary session at the National Assembly this Thursday, the Minister of Telecommunications and Digital Economy, Samba Diouf, revealed that a significant portion of the population still lacks access to connectivity.

"In Senegal, 40% of the population does not have access to connectivity," the minister said, responding to concerns from members of parliament about network quality and national territory coverage.

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According to Samba Diouf, in 2024 the authorities conducted a sector assessment to identify the main obstacles hindering access to digital services. This work highlighted shortcomings related to coverage and compliance with certain obligations by telecommunications operators. For the minister, the issue now goes beyond simply providing internet access.

“Connectivity is an essential commodity,” he told the members of parliament. Faced with these challenges, the government intends to explore new technological solutions to reduce disparities between regions and bring digital services closer to those who are still excluded. “The central pillar is universal connectivity,” Samba Diouf emphasized.

This statement comes as part of the review of the draft law on the protection of critical information infrastructure and cybersecurity. For the government, however, digital sovereignty cannot be fully guaranteed without sufficiently accessible and high-performing connectivity across the entire national territory.