Senegal’s Internet Revolution: How Fiber, 5G, and Policy Are Connecting a Nation

Senegal is experiencing a digital transformation as internet access expands rapidly across the country. Over half of Senegal’s population now uses the internet, thanks largely to the boom in mobile broadband and recent investments in fiber optics datareportal.com ecofinagency.com. The government has prioritized digital development through ambitious strategies and infrastructure projects, aiming to make Senegal a regional tech hub by 2035 budde.com.au wearetech.africa. However, significant challenges remain – from urban-rural disparities and high costs, to power supply and digital literacy issues. This report provides a detailed overview of the state of internet access in Senegal, covering infrastructure, services, providers, policies, and how the country compares with its West African peers.

Internet Infrastructure and Penetration

Senegal’s internet usage has grown impressively in recent years. As of January 2025, about 11.3 million individuals were using the internet in Senegal, representing 60.6% of the population datareportal.com. (By comparison, this was up from 10.79 million users and 60.0% penetration a year earlier datareportal.com.) In other words, roughly 4 in 10 Senegalese were still offline at the start of 2025, indicating room for further growth datareportal.com. Most Senegalese access the internet through mobile devices – the country had 22.7 million active mobile connections in early 2025 (about 121% of the population, as many people use multiple SIM cards) datareportal.com. Broadband connectivity is widespread on these networks: about 90% of Senegal’s mobile connections are now on 3G, 4G, or 5G networks (i.e. “broadband” capable) datareportal.com.

Connection Speeds: Internet speeds in Senegal are modest but improving. As of early 2024, the median mobile data download speed was around 27.2 Mbps, while fixed broadband (e.g. home fiber) had a median download speed of 22.0 Mbps datareportal.com. Mobile speeds jumped by ~17% during 2023 as 4G networks expanded, whereas fixed speeds saw a smaller 1% uptick datareportal.com. These speeds are sufficient for basic streaming and web use, though still behind global averages, leaving room for improvement as new technologies like fiber and 5G roll out.

International Connectivity: Senegal benefits from multiple submarine fiber-optic cables that link the country to global internet backbones. Dakar is currently a landing point for at least four major undersea cables – including SAT-3, ACE (Africa Coast to Europe), Atlantis-2, and SHARE – which provide essential bandwidth for Senegal and neighbors wearetech.africa. In late 2023, a new 45,000 km subsea cable called 2Africa (backed by Meta and partners) landed in Dakar, promising to greatly boost Senegal’s international capacity and network resilience wearetech.africa. This comes at a crucial time, as recent incidents of multiple cable cuts (e.g. outages on ACE, WACS, and SAT-3 in mid-2023) caused weeks of slowed connectivity in Senegal and the region wearetech.africa. The addition of 2Africa will provide higher throughput and redundancy, helping meet surging demand driven by video streaming, cloud services, and future 5G traffic wearetech.africa wearetech.africa.

Mobile Data Explosion: 3G, 4G, and 5G

Mobile networks are the cornerstone of internet access in Senegal, carrying the vast majority of user traffic. The country’s three main mobile operators (Orange, Free/YAS, and Expresso) have achieved extensive 2G/3G coverage over the past decade, and 4G LTE services have been rolled out in urban centers and many towns. By the end of 2022, an estimated 90%+ of mobile subscribers were on 3G or 4G plans, though 4G adoption was still catching up – only about 22.5% of users had 4G in 2022, versus ~68.5% on 3G and 9% on legacy 2G connectingafrica.com. 4G uptake has been growing quickly and is projected to reach 50% of users by 2027, as affordable smartphones and wider coverage bring more people onto high-speed data networks connectingafrica.com.

Launch of 5G: Senegal entered the 5G era in 2023. The regulator (ARTP) decided to extend existing 4G licenses for 5G use rather than issue brand new licenses connectingafrica.com. Orange (Sonatel) and Free (YAS Senegal) both obtained 5G concessions in 2023 – Sonatel in July 2023 and Free in December 2023 ecofinagency.com. After conducting trials, Sonatel officially launched 5G services on June 8, 2024, offering ultra-fast mobile and home broadband in parts of Dakar wearetech.africa. Free Senegal similarly launched 5G in late 2023/early 2024 after acquiring its license for 13.5 billion CFA francs (~$22.5 million) africanwirelesscomms.com. Initially, 5G coverage is limited to select zones (such as central Dakar) and specific use-cases, but the rollout is expanding. The advent of 5G brings the promise of gigabit-level speeds and low latency connections that can support advanced applications (e.g. HD streaming, smart city sensors, remote healthcare). Analysts forecast that even with gradual expansion, 5G could account for ~7% of mobile connections by 2027 connectingafrica.com – a notable start, though 4G will remain the workhorse technology for the mid-term.

Coverage Initiatives: To address remaining mobile coverage gaps, the government and regulator have pushed for innovative solutions. In April 2023, Senegal announced a national roaming plan that compels operators to allow customers to roam onto each other’s networks in underserved areas connectingafrica.com connectingafrica.com. This means if one village is covered by Orange but not Free, a Free subscriber could still get service via Orange’s tower (and vice versa), ensuring no Senegalese is left with “no signal” if any network is present. The roaming plan, championed by President Macky Sall, is tied to operators meeting rural coverage obligations in their licenses connectingafrica.com. It is intended to “bolster coverage in the West African country” and connect the underserved, alongside investments from the national Universal Service Fund for telecom connectingafrica.com. By mid-2025, this roaming arrangement was moving forward, described as a “solidarity tool” to plug coverage holes in localities where one or more operators lack presence connectingafrica.com. Such policies, combined with the ongoing expansion of 4G/5G sites, aim to push mobile broadband into even the most remote parts of Senegal.

Fiber Optics and Fixed Broadband Growth

Until recently, home and business internet in Senegal relied largely on aging ADSL (copper phone lines) or limited wireless solutions. This landscape is changing rapidly with the expansion of fiber-optic networks. Major investments by the incumbent Sonatel (Orange) and others have extended fiber in Dakar and regional cities, enabling high-speed FTTH (fiber-to-the-home) and fiber-to-the-office services. As a result, Senegal’s fixed broadband subscriptions surged by over 320% in four years, from about 177,000 at end-2020 to 747,000 by end-2024 ecofinagency.com. The fixed broadband penetration, while still low, climbed from roughly 1.06% of population in 2020 to 3.5% in 2024 ecofinagency.com. This jump reflects pent-up demand for faster and more reliable connectivity beyond mobile.

Notably, fiber has become the dominant fixed access technology, accounting for 57% of fixed broadband subscribers as of late 2024 ecofinagency.com. In comparison, Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) connections – e.g. using 4G/5G routers or microwave links as a home internet source – made up about 35% of fixed subscriptions, and legacy ADSL only 7.7% ecofinagency.com. In other words, within a few years Senegal has largely transitioned from slow copper lines to modern fiber and wireless solutions for fixed internet. This was driven by fiber rollouts in many neighborhoods, lower subscription costs, and growing demand from both consumers and businesses for broadband ecofinagency.com. By end-2024, Orange’s fibre offerings (often bundled with IPTV or phone) had attracted tens of thousands of households, while FWA options (like 4G Wi-Fi boxes) remained popular especially in areas not yet reached by fiber.

The impact of enhanced fixed infrastructure is evident in usage patterns. National internet traffic carried by fixed networks shot up by 80% in 2024 alone, with monthly data volume rising from ~815,000 TB in Dec 2023 to 1.47 million TB in Dec 2024 ecofinagency.com. Bandwidth-heavy activities such as HD video streaming, video conferencing (e.g. on Zoom/Teams), and cloud computing are becoming common as connections improve ecofinagency.com. The business sector in particular saw a 3.5× increase in fiber lines (from 37k to 133k business connections between 2023 and 2024) as companies upgraded their offices to fiber for better speeds and reliability ecofinagency.com. Even small enterprises and startups are increasingly coming online with fiber, which bodes well for Senegal’s digital economy ambitions.

National Fiber Backbone: Senegal’s fiber progress isn’t only about last-mile connections; it also involves robust backbones. The country has been building out terrestrial fiber-optic links to connect all regions and even cross-border links. For example, Senegal is part of the Dakar-N’djamena fiber corridor and other regional fiber projects linking West African capitals. By mid-2025, a new cross-border fiber link between Senegal’s neighbor Mali and other coastal networks was under discussion (as part of broader ECOWAS connectivity plans). Additionally, the SHARE submarine cable (Senegal Horn of Africa Regional Express) connects Dakar to Cape Verde, improving regional network resilience wearetech.africa. These backbone enhancements reduce latency and increase capacity upcountry, enabling rural towns to eventually enjoy reliable broadband via fiber or backhaul for mobile towers.

Looking ahead, fixed broadband growth in Senegal is expected to continue on a strong trajectory. The commercial launch of 5G FWA (Fixed Wireless Access via 5G) in 2024 provides another avenue for delivering fiber-like speeds to homes without needing to lay cables ecofinagency.com. Orange’s 5G home broadband plans, for instance, can offer multi-hundred-Mbps service in coverage areas, supplementing the fiber rollout. While ADSL is fast declining, FWA will likely remain important to cover semi-rural zones and as a backup option ecofinagency.com. The integration of fixed and mobile networks – one of the goals of Senegal’s “New Deal Technologique” strategy – could mean more convergence (e.g. bundled offers, seamless Wi-Fi/4G handover) to maximize connectivity for users ecofinagency.com.

Urban vs. Rural: Bridging the Digital Divide

A persistent challenge in Senegal is the gap in internet access between urban centers (especially the capital, Dakar) and rural areas. About 50% of Senegal’s people live in urban areas (as of 2025) datareportal.com, and these residents enjoy far greater connectivity options. Cities like Dakar, Thiès, and Saint-Louis have dense mobile coverage (often 4G), and are the first to receive upgrades like fiber-to-the-home or 5G trials. In Dakar, one can find public Wi-Fi hotspots, multiple ISPs competing, and average connection speeds notably higher than the national median. By contrast, many rural villages still rely on basic 2G/3G signals and have fewer internet users, owing to coverage gaps and infrastructure limits.

Several factors underlie this divide: telecom infrastructure concentration, economic disparities, and electricity availability. Telecom operators naturally prioritized cities for network rollout, where population density offers quicker returns. Meanwhile, remote rural communities – especially in Senegal’s north and deep south – may be tens of kilometers from the nearest fiber node or strong cellular tower. Electricity access is also uneven: nearly 97% of urban households have electricity, but only ~55% of rural households do (2022 data) iea.blob.core.windows.net. Without reliable power, maintaining telecom equipment and charging devices becomes difficult, impeding internet uptake in villages. This results in a vicious cycle where rural areas are less attractive for providers to invest, further widening the digital gap.

The government acknowledges the urban-rural digital divide and has taken steps to address it. Through the Universal Service Fund (USF) for telecom, Senegal finances rural tower construction and fiber extensions to underserved regions connectingafrica.com. Dozens of rural communities have been connected via USF projects that subsidize network deployment where it may not be immediately profitable. The national roaming initiative (described earlier) also directly targets rural coverage: if one operator has built towers in a remote locality, all subscribers can benefit, rather than duplicating infrastructure connectingafrica.com. Additionally, Senegal has explored innovative solutions like community Wi-Fi hubs and satellite connectivity for very remote settlements (more on satellite options below).

Encouragingly, some mobile internet statistics suggest improvement. Thanks to expanding coverage, by early 2024 the regulator reported a mobile internet penetration (subscriptions per population) of about 99% wearetech.africa – implying that, on paper, nearly all Senegalese lived in areas where a mobile internet subscription was at least attainable. Of course, actual usage penetration is lower (~60% individuals online), but this indicates network reach is no longer the primary barrier for many; affordability and awareness are. With continued investments under programs like “Digital Senegal” and the new “Technological New Deal”, the aim is to achieve universal connectivity so that a farmer in Kolda or Matam can have similar online access as a student in Dakar. The road ahead involves not just infrastructure, but also local content and digital literacy efforts to make the internet relevant and accessible to rural populations.

Key Internet Service Providers and Telecom Operators

Senegal’s telecom market is vibrant, with a mix of longstanding operators and new entrants driving competition. The Regulatory Authority for Telecommunications and Posts (ARTP) oversees the sector, which has five licensed operators – though the top three dominate almost all of the market:

• Orange Senegal (Sonatel): The market leader by far, Orange (branded Sonatel locally) is the former incumbent operator. Backed by Orange Group of France, it offers mobile, fixed-line, fiber broadband, and mobile money services. As of Q1 2024, Orange had 12.8 million mobile subscribers, about 56% market share wearetech.africa. It also leads in fixed broadband connections, thanks to its extensive DSL and fiber deployments. Orange’s network coverage is the most extensive, and it has been at the forefront of new technology (running early 5G trials and opening a 5G lab in Dakar) connectingafrica.com. The company is a key investor in international cables (like ACE, 2Africa) via Sonatel. Given its scale, Orange is a critical partner in government digital initiatives and has committed to supporting Senegal’s connectivity goals wearetech.africa wearetech.africa.
• Free Senegal (YAS Senegal): The second largest operator, formerly known as Tigo Senegal under Millicom and then rebranded as Free after 2018 when a consortium including the Axian Group acquired it. In 2023, Free was further rebranded to “YAS Senegal” under new majority ownership by Axian budde.com.au. Free/YAS has around 4.6–4.7 million subscribers (roughly 24% market share) wearetech.africa. It offers mobile voice/data and some fixed wireless services. Free aggressively competed on pricing when it entered, which helped drive data costs down. It also invested in 4G and now holds a 5G license, launching pilot 5G services alongside Orange in 2024 ecofinagency.com connectingafrica.com. As a challenger, Free/YAS focuses on innovative data packages, youth-centric marketing, and expanding coverage to narrow the gap with Orange.
• Expresso Senegal: The third major operator, owned by Sudatel, with about 3.7–3.8 million users (~16–17% share) wearetech.africa. Expresso entered in 2009 and initially used CDMA technology before shifting to GSM. It has a smaller network footprint than Orange/Free, but offers mobile and some fixed wireless broadband. Expresso has struggled financially at times, yet remains an important player, often serving cost-sensitive customers. It provides 3G and some 4G coverage, though its 4G rollout lagged behind the others. Expresso was included in the national roaming pact to extend its rural reach via sharing infrastructure connectingafrica.com. The company has also dabbled in niche services like WiMAX and international calling offers.
• Promobile (Sirius Telecom): A newer entrant launched in 2020 as an MVNO/universal service operator. By 2023 it gained around 418,000–448,000 subscribers (~3% share) connectingafrica.com connectingafrica.com. Promobile targets underserved areas and certain consumer segments with affordable plans, likely by piggybacking on another operator’s network (it’s essentially a Mobile Virtual Network Operator). Its growth shows there is demand in niche markets not fully addressed by the big three. ARTP is fostering an “economic space for MVNOs” with supportive regulation connectingafrica.com, so Promobile may be the first of several MVNOs to come.
• Hayo Telecom: A very small operator focused on specific regions (notably the Matam area in northern Senegal) ecofinagency.com. Hayo had only a few hundred subscribers (200–228) reported in 2022–2023 connectingafrica.com connectingafrica.com, amounting to 0.1% share wearetech.africa. It appears Hayo might be a specialized regional provider or a pilot project under universal access licensing. Its minimal presence has little market impact, but it serves as part of efforts to reach remote communities.

Collectively, these providers have created a fairly competitive market in Senegal, especially in mobile. Orange’s dominance is being tested by Free/YAS’s aggressive pricing and by regulatory moves (e.g. number portability introduction, spectrum license renewals tied to investment commitments, etc.). For instance, when Free launched under its new brand, data prices dropped and Orange responded with new affordable bundles – benefiting consumers. The presence of a third infrastructure player (Expresso) and MVNOs further pressures prices and innovation. As of early 2024, mobile number portability had been implemented, allowing customers to switch operators without changing their number, which increases competition on service quality and pricing.

In the fixed broadband arena, Orange (via Sonatel) is again the principal operator, since it owns most of the legacy telecom lines and fiber network. However, smaller ISPs do exist – e.g., Arc Informatique and others were mentioned in industry reports budde.com.au – often providing corporate internet or niche services. The advent of technologies like VSAT satellite broadband and upcoming LEO satellite services (discussed next) also means non-traditional players could serve Senegalese customers, adding to the provider mix.

Internet Pricing and Affordability

The cost of internet access in Senegal has gradually become more affordable, but it remains a significant barrier for many, particularly the poor. On average, 1 GB of mobile data in Senegal cost around $3.30 in the early 2020s, which was equivalent to roughly 3–4% of an average monthly income – above the affordability target of 2% set by the UN/A4AI webfoundation.org webfoundation.org. In 2018, for example, 1GB was about 4% of monthly income, double the recommended threshold webfoundation.org. Since then, competition and regulatory pressure have helped reduce data tariffs. By 2023, estimates suggest the average price of 1GB fell to around $1.60 (approximately 980 CFA francs) voronoiapp.com, though prices vary by plan and provider. Prepaid data bundles from Orange or Free often offer 1–2 GB for around 1000–2000 CFA (~$1.5–$3), which is a substantial expense for low-income users (many of whom live on a few dollars a day).

Broadband affordability is improving in relative terms. The Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) ranks Senegal reasonably well in its Affordability Drivers Index – in 2021 Senegal scored about 62 (rank 7 in Africa) indicating decent policies for cost reduction a4ai.org a4ai.org. The government’s removal of certain telecom taxes and support for infrastructure sharing has had a positive impact. Additionally, the entry of Free (YAS) as a challenger led to frequent price wars. For instance, Free introduced “free social media” packages and cheap night-time data, pushing Orange to offer discounted bundles and promotions. As a result, the average cost per MB has been trending downward each year.

However, fixed broadband via fiber is still out of reach for many due to higher absolute prices. A home fiber subscription (with unlimited data at high speed) might cost 15,000 CFA or more per month (~$25) which is affordable for middle-class urban households but expensive for the average Senegalese. To address this, Orange has introduced lower-tier fiber plans and shared access models (e.g. community Wi-Fi). Public internet access points like telecenters and cybercafés used to play a big role in affordability; though many have closed as mobile internet rose, the government has supported community digital centers where people can access computers and internet cheaply or free, especially in rural locales.

Another facet of affordability is device cost. Smartphones have become the primary way Senegalese go online, and their prices have fallen significantly – today, basic Android smartphones can be found for 20,000–30,000 CFA (~$30–$50). Still, for low-income families this is a considerable investment. There are initiatives in Senegal (some supported by the World Bank and ITU) to promote “smartphone for everyone” programs, offering financing or low-cost devices. As of 2025, around 58% of the population is literate theglobaleconomy.com, so digital literacy programs go hand-in-hand with making devices and data affordable.

In summary, while internet prices in Senegal are not the most expensive in Africa, they are also not the cheapest when adjusted for income. Countries like Ghana and Nigeria have seen data costs plunge due to heavier competition (Ghana’s average 1GB price was reported under $0.50) – Senegal’s prices are a bit higher than those peers voronoiapp.com. The government’s goal under Digital Senegal is to meet the “1 for 2” affordability target (1GB for 2% of monthly income) for all citizens webfoundation.org. Continued market competition (including potential MVNO price disruptors) and infrastructure expansion (which lowers the cost-per-gigabyte to serve users) should help reach that goal in coming years. Notably, the regulator ARTP keeps a close eye on pricing and has in the past imposed cuts to wholesale bandwidth tariffs and mobile termination rates, steps which ultimately trickle down to cheaper retail internet for consumers.

Satellite Internet Access (Starlink and Others)

Given Senegal’s geography and some remaining connectivity gaps, satellite internet plays a role – and could play a much bigger role in the near future. Traditionally, VSAT (geostationary) satellite services have been available in Senegal through providers like Viasat, SES, Eutelsat Konnect, and others. These are used mainly by businesses, banks (for ATM connectivity), or government offices in remote areas where terrestrial links are unavailable. VSAT can be expensive and has latency (~600ms), but it provided a lifeline for basic connectivity in rural Senegal over the years. For example, some rural schools and clinics use small VSAT terminals to get internet. The government even launched its first small satellite (nanosatellite) – GaindeSat-1A – recently, though that is for earth observation rather than communications budde.com.au.

The big buzz in satellite internet now is around LEO (Low Earth Orbit) constellations, especially Starlink by SpaceX. Starlink promises high-speed broadband (~50–150 Mbps) with low latency via a network of thousands of low-orbit satellites. It has launched in many countries, including several in Africa (Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Mozambique, etc.). In Senegal, however, Starlink is not yet officially authorized by the government as of mid-2025 extensia.tech. In 2023, Starlink indicated plans to cover Senegal by Q4 2023 pending regulatory approval extensia.tech, but the licensing process has been fraught. Senegalese law requires telecom operators to have local licenses and (in some interpretations) local ownership components, which has delayed Starlink’s entry – a situation similar to South Africa’s, where Starlink was also barred for not meeting empowerment rules africa.businessinsider.com africa.businessinsider.com.

Notably, in August 2023 the Senegalese authorities cracked down on unauthorized Starlink equipment. Five individuals were arrested in Dakar for illegally selling Starlink kits without permission extensia.tech extensia.tech. The ARTP warned that any marketing of Starlink or similar services must stop until the company is properly licensed africa.businessinsider.com africa.businessinsider.com. Offenders face hefty fines (30–60 million CFA) and up to 5 years in prison under the telecom law extensia.tech. This underscores that while there is interest and demand for Starlink’s service (some tech-savvy users tried to obtain kits on the grey market), the government is taking a cautious approach. As of the latest information, Starlink remains illegal to use in Senegal africa.businessinsider.com. The company will likely need to either register a local entity or partner with a Senegalese ISP to operate. Once those hurdles are cleared, Starlink could rapidly extend internet to rural and underserved areas – for a price. (The Starlink kit costs ~$600 and subscription ~$110/month in other countries africa.businessinsider.com, far above what most households in Senegal can afford, so initially it may serve businesses, NGOs, or affluent users.)

Besides Starlink, other upcoming satellite options could include OneWeb, which is another LEO constellation (partly aimed at connecting cell towers and businesses) – OneWeb has done pilot connections in West Africa. Additionally, Project Kuiper (Amazon’s planned constellation) might target Africa in the future. For now, the most tangible near-term satellite boost is likely from Eutelsat Konnect which has been active in rural Africa offering packages via local ISPs, and O3b (SES) medium-earth orbit satellites which have been used to provide backhaul for operators in neighboring countries. Senegal’s government might also leverage satellite for specific needs: for example, linking remote schools or providing backup links for government services to ensure resiliency against fiber cuts.

In summary, satellite internet is a small but important piece of Senegal’s connectivity puzzle. Traditional satellite links have quietly served remote needs for years. New LEO satellites like Starlink present an exciting opportunity to leapfrog infrastructure gaps and connect hard-to-reach communities with quality broadband – if regulatory and affordability challenges can be managed. The authorities’ cautious stance suggests they want to ensure any new service aligns with national interests (such as local investment and regulatory compliance). As more African countries approve Starlink (by mid-2024 it was live in about 9 African countries linkedin.com extensia.tech), pressure may mount on Senegal to follow suit to not be left behind. When it does arrive, satellite broadband could be a valuable complement to fiber and mobile, enhancing coverage in Senegal’s most isolated corners like parts of Casamance, eastern Senegal, and islands with limited connectivity.

Government Policies, Regulation, and Digital Strategy

The Senegalese government has been proactive in leveraging policy to drive internet access and digital development. The overarching vision is encapsulated in strategies like “Digital Senegal 2025” (Stratégie Sénégal Numérique 2025) and the newer “Technological New Deal 2034”, which align with the national development plan (PSE – Plan Sénégal Émergent) to make Senegal an emerging digital economy by 2035 wearetech.africa wearetech.africa. Key objectives include expanding broadband coverage, making internet affordable, digitizing government services, and fostering tech entrepreneurship.

Some notable government initiatives and regulatory measures impacting internet access are:

• National Digital Strategy: The Digital Senegal 2025 plan, launched in the mid-2010s, set targets such as 100% population coverage with quality broadband, reducing the urban-rural access gap, and getting a significant portion of the population to use e-government and e-commerce services. It also emphasized inclusion – for instance, a commitment to mainstream gender equality in ICT and ensure rural women benefit from digital services a4ai.org a4ai.org. Building on that, in February 2025 the government officially rolled out the New Technological Deal 2025–2035, which outlines ~50 projects with a budget of CFA 1.105 trillion (about $1.8 billion) to transform Senegal into a regional tech hub budde.com.au budde.com.au. This includes projects for data centers (a major data center opened in Dakar in 2025), e-government platforms, cybersecurity, and broadband infrastructure. The World Bank has provided $150 million financing for a Digital Economy Acceleration Project as part of this effort connectingafrica.com.
• Licensing and Market Regulation: The regulator ARTP has taken steps to ensure a competitive and fair telecom market. For example, it facilitated the entry of Free in 2018 by resolving a license transfer, and later backed MVNO frameworks to allow players like Promobile to operate connectingafrica.com. ARTP also implemented Mobile Number Portability (MNP) in 2015, boosting consumer choice, and mandated SIM registration to enhance security techafricanews.com. In 2023, ARTP’s priorities included issuing 5G licenses (done by extending Orange and Free’s concessions) connectingafrica.com, monitoring Quality of Service (operators are regularly audited for network performance), and overseeing tariff adjustments. The regulator has not shied away from sanctions; it has fined operators before for poor service or missed rollout obligations.
• Universal Access and Inclusion: Senegal’s Universal Service Fund (FSUT) finances rural connectivity projects, often in partnership with operators or via competitive bids. Additionally, the government has promoted “Digital Corners” in post offices and public spaces, where citizens can access the internet and learn digital skills. There are programs targeting youth and women for digital training, recognizing that infrastructure alone isn’t enough if people lack skills. By early 2024, about 26.8% of Senegalese (5 million) were active on social media datareportal.com, indicating growing digital literacy, but also signaling that nearly three-quarters of the population is not yet using such platforms (often a proxy for digital engagement). The strategies aim to raise this through education reforms (coding in schools, etc.) and community training.
• Internet Governance and Censorship: Generally, Senegal has enjoyed a reputation for relatively open internet usage. However, there have been concerning instances. Notably in 2023, amidst political unrest and protests, the government shut down or restricted internet access several times – in fact, three shutdowns within a year according to reports africa.businessinsider.com. Typically, authorities cut mobile data or blocked social media platforms to curb the spread of information during demonstrations. These actions drew criticism from civil society and raised questions about the balance between security and digital rights. Earlier, a proposed change to the telecommunications code in 2018 (Article 27) threatened net neutrality by allowing traffic discrimination webfoundation.org webfoundation.org. Organizations like the Web Foundation and local ICT user groups (ASUTIC) strongly objected, noting that at a time when internet access was costly for many, giving operators leeway to block or throttle services like WhatsApp or Skype would hurt consumers webfoundation.org webfoundation.org. The government was called to revise that provision to protect an open web. These episodes show that while Senegal is pushing forward on infrastructure, it faces regulatory dilemmas on issues of internet freedom, and the outcome of such debates will influence the quality of access going forward.
• Taxation and Investment Climate: The government has generally encouraged telecom investment by offering tax incentives and public-private partnerships. For example, import duties on telecom equipment were reduced to facilitate network rollouts. On the consumer side, at one point Senegal had a special phone/internet tax, but it was reduced under pressure to make services cheaper. One interesting move is the requirement (similar to some countries) that telecom companies be partly locally owned. Sonatel is a public-private mix (Orange has ~42%, the state ~27%, rest traded on stock market); such structures aim to keep some profits and decision-making local. The Starlink issue partly revolves around this – ensuring local stakeholder involvement. Overall, Senegal ranks fairly well in ICT regulatory frameworks in Africa, but continuous updates are needed (e.g. updating laws for data protection, cybersecurity, digital finance) to match the evolving digital landscape.

Challenges to Universal Internet Access

Despite notable progress, Senegal faces several challenges in achieving universal, high-quality internet access. Key obstacles include:

• Power and Infrastructure Gaps: In rural areas, only about half the population has electricity access iea.blob.core.windows.net. Many remote cell towers rely on solar panels or diesel generators, which can be unreliable or costly to maintain, affecting network uptime. In 2022, Senegal’s overall electrification was ~75%, but improving rural power supply remains critical iea.blob.core.windows.net. Without power, even an available mobile signal is of little use for residents who cannot charge phones or power a computer. Additionally, seasonal challenges (storms, flooding) can damage telecom infrastructure. Expanding the electric grid and using solar energy for towers (an approach ARTP also advocates) will be essential to keep networks running in all conditions.
• Digital Literacy and Education: The adult literacy rate is around 58% (as of 2022) and even lower for women (47%) countryeconomy.com. Low literacy correlates with low internet use, as people who cannot read or write (or speak French/English, the dominant internet languages) have limited use for online content. Furthermore, general digital skills are lacking outside urban educated circles. Many Senegalese, especially older generations and those in rural communities, have never used a computer. This knowledge gap means that even where internet is available, people may not take advantage or could be vulnerable to misinformation and cyber scams. The government and NGOs have initiated digital literacy programs – for instance, training youth ambassadors to teach elders how to use WhatsApp, or integrating ICT in school curricula. But changing a population’s skillset is a long-term effort. Without improvements in education and localized content (e.g. content in Wolof or Pulaar languages), a significant portion of the population might remain offline by choice or under-utilize the internet.
• Affordability and Economic Barriers: Poverty remains a reality in Senegal, with a sizeable segment of the population living on a few dollars per day. For these citizens, buying data or a device competes with basic needs. While mobile coverage might reach their village, the internet will only truly be universal when it’s affordable enough. As noted, 1GB of data costing a few dollars is still too high for low-income users webfoundation.org. The cost of smartphones, though declining, is also a hurdle – many rural families may only have one shared basic phone. The challenge is greater for women and girls, who often have even less access to both finances and technology (the digital gender gap is real – fewer women are online than men in Senegal, partly due to socio-cultural factors). Tackling affordability might require targeted subsidies or ultra-low-cost plans for certain groups (some countries have introduced social tariffs for internet, or free minimal data daily). Senegal hasn’t gone that far yet, but the policy is moving in the direction of making internet a basic utility.
• Regulatory and Political Issues: Political stability in Senegal has generally been good, but recent unrest and the government’s resort to internet shutdowns present a challenge to consistent access. If people fear that the internet could be turned off during crises, it undermines trust in digital services (for example, businesses and banks worry about transaction disruptions). Consistent policy is needed to ensure the internet remains available even in tough times, perhaps via legal frameworks that limit shutdowns. Additionally, bureaucratic delays in implementing plans (e.g. delays in rolling out rural telecenters, or slow pace of licensing new services like Starlink) can slow progress. Effective coordination among agencies – telecom, energy, education – is required to overcome these regulatory bottlenecks.
• Security and Cybercrime: As more Senegalese come online, cyber threats are rising. Scams on social media, mobile money fraud, and hacking attempts have been noted. The government started a six-month cyber security project in 2023 to harden critical systems connectingafrica.com. Ensuring users feel safe online (and are educated on digital safety) is an often underappreciated factor in internet adoption. If the internet is seen as a risky place, some may avoid it. Thus, boosting cybersecurity and establishing robust data protection laws (a personal data law exists but needs enforcement) are ongoing challenges.

In essence, Senegal’s internet revolution is not just a technical endeavor but a social one. Addressing these challenges will require a holistic approach: invest in infrastructure and people, encourage private sector innovation and enforce equitable policies. The positive news is that many of these hurdles are well-understood by stakeholders, and with international support and local initiative, Senegal is actively working to overcome them on the road to full digital inclusion.

Regional Comparison: Senegal vs West African Peers

Within West Africa, Senegal is increasingly seen as a leader in connectivity, though it lags behind a few peers on certain metrics. A snapshot comparison illustrates how Senegal stacks up against some neighboring countries in early 2025:

(Sources: DataReportal 2025 reports for each country; national regulatory data.)

In terms of penetration, Senegal at ~60% is ahead of the African average (~43% in 2022) and well above countries like Mali or Ivory Coast datareportal.com, though it trails Ghana which nears 70%. Notably, South Africa – outside West Africa – is around 75% and an outlier on the continent, but Senegal is catching up to other mid-level performers like Kenya (~48%) and Nigeria (~45%). This is impressive given Senegal’s smaller economy, indicating effective utilization of resources to connect people.

On mobile connectivity, Senegal’s SIM penetration of 121% is similar to Ghana’s ~113% and Ivory Coast’s 144% datareportal.com, reflecting that multiple SIM ownership is common across West Africa. However, a more meaningful stat is mobile broadband coverage: Senegal’s high rate of 3G/4G device use (90% of connections) datareportal.com is on par with Ivory Coast (91%) datareportal.com and suggests the region as a whole is moving past 2G.

When it comes to internet speed and quality, Senegal’s median speeds (mobile ~27 Mbps, fixed ~22 Mbps) datareportal.com are moderate. Ghana reportedly has slightly faster mobile speeds in cities, while Nigeria’s average speeds are lower (many on 3G). A regional standout is that Senegal has been a hub for innovation – for example, Dakar was among the first in West Africa with a 5G lab (Orange’s lab in 2022) connectingafrica.com. Only a few countries in the region (Nigeria, Ivory Coast) had 5G services around the same timeframe as Senegal.

Pricing is an area where Senegal is middle-of-the-pack. Data is cheaper in Nigeria and Ghana on average (thanks to more intense competition and economies of scale in Nigeria’s case), whereas Senegal’s prices are comparable or slightly higher. For instance, as noted, 1GB in Senegal ~$1.6; in Nigeria it might be ~$1 or less, in Ghana often <$1 for the same data. Francophone neighbors like Mali or Burkina Faso tend to have higher data prices than Senegal, as their markets are often monopolies or duopolies with weaker regulation. So Senegal fares better than many Francophone peers on affordability, partly due to ARTP’s vigilance and Free’s entry.

On policy and digital readiness, Senegal is often cited as a positive example. The Alliance for Affordable Internet ranked Senegal 7th in Africa in its 2020 Affordability Index, above countries like Kenya or Egypt in terms of policy frameworks a4ai.org. The government’s clear plans (Digital Senegal, etc.) contrast with some neighbors where digital strategy is less defined. Additionally, Senegal’s political stability (despite recent hiccups) and investment in ICT have attracted partnerships – e.g. Estonia partnering on e-government, and companies like Google showing interest (Google’s Equiano cable didn’t land in Senegal, but Meta’s 2Africa did, showing confidence in Senegal as a connectivity hub). Senegal also hosts regional internet exchange points and has a growing tech startup scene (e.g. Dakar is now ranked among Africa’s top startup cities) extensia.tech.

In summary, within West Africa Senegal is a rising digital leader, though not yet at the very top on all counts. Ghana currently outpaces Senegal in penetration and cost, but Senegal leads Ivory Coast, Mali, and others by a good margin in getting its people online. Nigeria dwarfs Senegal in absolute numbers online, but struggles with percentage and consistency. For Senegal to cement itself as a regional ICT hub, it will want to continue improving infrastructure (possibly aiming for Ghana’s penetration level), maintain a friendly regulatory environment, and leverage its submarine cable advantage to maybe serve as a bandwidth supplier to inland countries (for instance, Senegal could provide fiber transit to Mali or Guinea-Bissau). The healthy competition in its telecom sector and active government involvement position Senegal well to continue climbing the ranks in West Africa’s internet race.

Conclusion

From the bustling streets of Dakar, where 5G signals and fiber cables are beginning to light up the digital economy, to the remote villages of Kédougou, where a lone mobile tower can now connect farmers to the world, Senegal’s internet landscape is undergoing a remarkable evolution. In a little over a decade, the country has moved from very limited connectivity to a point where 6 out of 10 citizens are online and entire industries are being reshaped by digital tools. The expansion of mobile broadband has been the linchpin of this progress – an area where Senegal leveraged competition and policy to great effect. Now, the spread of fiber-optic networks and the dawn of 5G signal the next chapter, promising to unlock even faster and more reliable access.

Yet, as detailed, significant work remains to achieve the goal of internet access for all Senegalese. The urban-rural divide, if left unaddressed, risks creating a two-tier society of digital haves and have-nots. Affordability and digital skills are just as critical as laying fiber and erecting towers; an inclusive internet means everyone, regardless of income or education, can benefit. The government’s awareness of this is evident in its strategies and investments, and the support of partners (World Bank, private sector, etc.) provides cause for optimism. Moreover, the innovative spirit in Senegal’s tech scene – from mobile money innovations to startup hubs – indicates that increased connectivity is fueling local solutions to local problems.

In the broader West African context, Senegal’s progress stands out. It shows how a mid-sized country can punch above its weight in ICT by enabling competition, securing big infrastructure projects (like international cables), and aligning national vision (PSE) with practical tech initiatives. The country is on track to become a regional digital crossroads, especially once technologies like LEO satellite internet come online to complement ground networks. The handling of new technologies (e.g. bringing in Starlink in a regulated manner, harnessing 5G for not just cities but also applications like smart agriculture) will be crucial in the coming years.

In conclusion, Senegal’s internet revolution is well underway, characterized by rapid growth in access and bold plans for the future. Challenges such as cost, coverage gaps, and policy balancing acts are being addressed head-on, even if not overnight. For the people of Senegal, the hope is that this revolution translates into tangible improvements in daily life – from farmers getting market prices via smartphones, to students in distant regions learning from online resources, to entrepreneurs scaling businesses to regional markets. The pieces are falling into place: fiber in the ground, spectrum in the air, and a digital vision at the highest levels of government. If current trends hold, Senegal is poised to leap into a new era where the internet is ubiquitous and serves as a backbone for social and economic development, truly embodying its role as one of West Africa’s digital success stories.

Sources: Senegal Digital Reports 2024–2025 (DataReportal) datareportal.com datareportal.com; ARTP and Ecofin statistics wearetech.africa ecofinagency.com; Connecting Africa news updates connectingafrica.com connectingafrica.com; WeAreTech Africa reports wearetech.africa wearetech.africa; World Bank and A4AI data on affordability webfoundation.org.