Senegal expands digital access to remote communities with new connectivity initiative

The Senegalese government has taken a major step toward nationwide digital inclusion with the official launch of 10 new connectivity sites in rural Tambacounda region. The Minister of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Alioune Sall who led the inauguration believes that initiative is the beginning of an ambitious program to eliminate connectivity gaps across Senegal's most isolated areas. 

Funded through the Universal Telecommunications Service Development Fund (FDSUT), the project brings mobile voice, data and SMS services to previously disconnected communities in Tambacounda, Kolda and Kédougou regions. This initiative operationalizes President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s vision of a technologically sovereign Senegal where digital access drives equitable development. 

"The New Technological Deal isn't just about infrastructure – it's about creating equal opportunities for all Senegalese citizens," Minister Sall declared during the ceremony in Gourel Diatta village. The program directly addresses territorial inequalities by enabling access to essential digital services including telemedicine, mobile banking and e-learning platforms. 

With 1,550 priority localities identified for immediate intervention, the Universal Access Project aims to achieve complete national coverage by 2029. The phased rollout will upgrade 1,058 villages from outdated 2G to modern 4G networks while connecting 492 completely unserved communities. 

This rural connectivity push complements Senegal's broader digital transformation strategy, which includes the recent World Bank regional headquarters inauguration in Dakar and planned tech hub developments. As infrastructure expands, the government is concurrently implementing digital literacy programs to maximize the social and economic impact of these investments. 

By:  Kanto Kai Okanta