Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has unveiled an ambitious $1.7 billion national strategy to establish digital sovereignty and transform the country into a regional technology powerhouse by 2030. Announced during the Africa CEO Forum 2025, the plan marks one of the boldest digital transformation efforts by an African head of state in recent years.
Branded the “Technological New Deal,” the initiative encompasses a sweeping overhaul of Senegal’s digital infrastructure. Key pillars include the development of state-of-the-art data centers, universal access to high-speed internet, nationwide 5G connectivity, and the rollout of a robust, biometric-based digital identity system. It also prioritizes the digitization of public services to streamline governance, reduce bureaucracy, and enhance citizen engagement.
“The sovereignty of nations will be digital, or it will not be,” President Faye declared in his keynote speech, drawing inspiration from successful digital transformations in countries like Estonia and Rwanda. He emphasized that Africa’s ability to compete in the global economy hinges on securing control over its data, digital systems, and innovation pipelines.
The plan is integrated into Senegal’s broader “Senegal 2050” economic agenda, which aims to leverage digital innovation as a catalyst for inclusive growth and job creation. The government anticipates the strategy will generate more than 150,000 new jobs in sectors ranging from fintech and cybersecurity to software engineering and digital services.
Public-private collaboration is central to the plan’s success. The Faye administration is actively courting local and international investors while expanding programs like the “Startup Act,” a legislative framework designed to incentivize entrepreneurial activity, protect intellectual property, and provide tax and operational incentives for early-stage tech ventures.
Industry experts have praised the initiative as a timely and strategic move. With global data flows and digital infrastructure increasingly influencing geopolitics and economic development, Senegal’s commitment to building indigenous digital capabilities positions it as a forward-thinking leader on the continent.
As implementation begins, attention will focus on the government’s ability to mobilize funding, foster a thriving tech ecosystem, and deliver measurable outcomes in connectivity, innovation, and digital governance. If successful, President Faye’s digital sovereignty blueprint could serve as a model for other African nations striving for economic self-determination in the digital age.
