Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye shared his vision for the country’s digital future and the policy he plans to implement during his speech at the Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan.
Speaking at the opening of the two-day event, Faye referred to his visit to Silicon Valley in October and introduced a plan he calls the “Digital New Deal.”
The plan aims to strengthen Senegal’s economic and technological independence.
Three Pillars of Digital Sovereignty
At the core of the strategy are three main pillars: control of infrastructure, control of the regulatory framework, and skills development.
Faye emphasized the need for a more balanced relationship with global tech giants, stating:
“Africa cannot settle for being a passive consumer of foreign digital services.”
To activate this ambitious initiative, Faye said an investment of $1.7 billion would be required. He stated that Senegal seeks to form public-private partnerships with both local and international investors, while underlining that this development must not come “at the expense of sovereignty.”
Inspiration from Estonia’s Digital Model
Faye also highlighted Estonia as a model worth emulating.
According to data from the Estonian Prime Minister’s Office, 99% of public services in the country have been digitized, contributing an additional two percentage points to the country’s GDP.
The Senegalese president stressed that digitization would facilitate tax collection and serve as a foundation for long-term development.
Economic Turmoil and the Hidden Debt Crisis
Faye’s announcement comes at a critical time for Senegal, as the country faces serious concerns over public finances following a hidden debt scandal.
Senegal’s Court of Auditors confirmed that figures released under former President Macky Sall’s administration did not reflect the actual state of the economy, revealing that both the national debt and budget deficit were significantly underestimated.
As a result, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) suspended Senegal’s credit support program pending a thorough review of its fiscal health.
President Faye’s Digital New Deal thus represents a bold and strategic move aimed at long-term reform and recovery—at a time when Senegal urgently needs both economic stability and public trust.