Telecommunication Sector in Senegal include Radio, Television, Fixed and Mobile Telephones, and Internet. Senegal has an excellent telecommunications infrastructure, which is digitized. Sonatel, Senegal’s main telecommunications operator continues to dominate the market. 

The digital economy is developing mainly in Dakar, driven by start-ups, fintechs, teleservices and players active in e-commerce. The Government is supporting this dynamic, in particular through the modernization of the administration, the dematerialization of procedures and geomatics, framed by the Senegal Digital Strategy 2025 (SSN 2025). For more, visit out Documentation Page to explore more content in Telecom Sector in Senegal

Weight of the telecommunications sector in the national economy

Telecommunications constitute a strategic sector of the economy and its contribution to growth is very important, is estimated at 4.72% in the first quarter of 2018. The value of the telecommunications market in Senegal is estimated at 729.05 billion FCFA in 2018 and the investments are valued at 97 billion CFA francs. The telecommunications sector is the third largest contributor to job creation after the transport sector and the catering sector. The share of jobs generated by the telecommunications sector is estimated at 2.4% in 2018 against 2.6% in 2017.

The telecommunications market

The main players in the telecommunications market

The telecommunications landscape today is characterized by the presence of three operators holding telecommunications licenses open to the public (SONATEL SA / SAGA AFRICA HOLDINGS LIMITED / EXPRESSO SENEGAL) and numerous providers of value-added services. During 2017, six new players were welcomed into the sector, including the three Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that are WAW SAS, ARC Informatique and AFRICA ACESS and the three mobile network operators virtual (MVNO)

Evolution in value of the telecommunications market

The telecommunications market in Senegal recorded a  revenue of 729.05 billion FCFA in 2018. The profit is achieved by the three operators (SONATEL SA / SAGA AFRICA HOLDINGS LIMITED / EXPRESSO SENEGAL) in the markets of the fixed, mobile and Internet telephony. Compared to 2017, profit fell by 5.57% due to the decline in SONATEL's activity on fixed lines. However, the mobile telephony market (including Internet) remains dynamic, as evidenced by its revenue (463.98 billion FCFA) which increased by 3.19% compared to 2017. Investments fell by 12, 69% in 2018 and amounted to 97.37 billion FCFA.

Ongoing Plan for Telecommunication Sector

• Axis 1: Generalized access to telecommunications services to all localities in Senegal, in particular through the development throughout the country of telephone services (voice), Internet and value-added services to improve productivity other sectors of the national economy (agriculture, livestock, health);

• Axis 2: Generalization of the use of Internet and Telecom Services in the education sector through the development of access to ICT infrastructure and equipment in schools and public universities, teacher training and content development adapted educational digital

The mobile phone market

The turnover of mobile telephony amounted to 463.98 billion FCFA, an increase of 3.18% compared to 2017. This development is driven by the mobile Internet segment which increased by 41.48% in 2018. Investments (excluding frequency acquisition costs) made in the mobile telephony market, on the other hand, fell in 2018 (63 billion compared to 77 billion in 2017).

The volume of communications sent by mobile telephone networks is estimated at 23.55 billion minutes in 2018 against 22.50 billion minutes in 2017, an increase of 4.66%.

Market part percentage of mobile operators in Senegal 2013-2017

Annual Evolution of landline phone market 2013-2017

The Internet market

The number of Internet subscribers includes fixed Internet subscriptions (ADSL / PSTN / FIBER) and active mobile Internet subscriptions (Internet key / mobile terminal). The total number of Internet lines was 10,526,822 lines at the end of 2018, up 9.57% compared to 2017. The penetration rate stood at 66.94%, up 3.97 points compared to 2017 .

Distribution of hexagonal cells on Senegalese territory

LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

Senegal has put in place a legal framework in accordance with the regional regulatory mechanisms established by ECOWAS. The legal framework, developed in 2008, covers electronic transactions, cybersecurity and cryptology, personal data protection and copyright. In order to increase the confidence of e-commerce customers, specific provisions for online consumer protection should be considered in different areas, such as service quality assurance, fraud prevention and dispute resolution, efficiency of withdrawal periods, the processing of personal data in line with the new international normative framework

TRADE LOGISTICS AND TRADE FACILITATION

E-commerce logistics remain concentrated around Dakar, where most e-commerce players offer deposit withdrawal solutions, with home or office delivery being less frequent. The transport and logistics sector is quite competitive. La Poste holds the mandate for universal postal coverage, but   fast delivery companies are developing. Jumia Food offers a wide selection of restaurants on its website that not only allow meals to be ordered, but also pay online or on delivery, and which rely on a fast delivery network. Paps is an on-demand delivery application created in September 2016 by a start-up. OuiCarry, a young Senegalese company created in 2013, offers its customers (individuals or businesses) a complete logistics service allowing them to place orders on any merchant site and have their packages delivered to their doorstep or, in Dakar, 

Two integrated platforms, ORBUS and GAINDE, allow economic operators to carry out the necessary formalities  and to make the customs declaration (on GAINDE, the Customs IT system). The ORBUS electronic one-stop shop connects more than 80 public and private entities that issue documents or authorizations related to foreign trade. These innovations, launched in 2009, have enabled Senegal to gain several places in the Doing Business ranking of the World Bank.

Electronic commerce : vector of inclusion and development of the local economy

Several e-commerce platforms are developing in the direction indicated by the PSE, aimed at promoting local products. The Afrique Communication agency has set up two platforms, SunuEntreprise and Village Artisanal Virtuel du Sénégal. SunuEntreprise is a referencing platform for Senegalese companies, all economic sectors combined. It offers information and networking services between professionals and individuals by offering better online visibility to listed companies. Village Artisanal responds to a dual issue of craft development in Senegal: the low presence of craft products on the Internet, and the almost total absence of any device to facilitate online transactions between customers and suppliers. The Ministry of Trade, the Informal Sector, Consumption, Promotion of Local Products and SMEs, through the Senegalese Export Promotion Agency (ASEPEX) and through an ITC project funded by the International Organization of La Francophonie, has also developed the “Made in Senegal” electronic commerce platform. It gives local and international consumers access to a variety of Senegalese products - textiles, cosmetics, processed foods

PAYMENT SOLUTIONS: Free  Money, Orange Money, Wave A game changed 

  Senegal is experiencing rapid development of electronic payment methods through mobile telephony and financial service providers. Also, for e-commerce, cash on delivery remains the preferred option. Mobile money services and payment integration platforms have grown rapidly through telecom operators, fintechs, and to a lesser extent, banking and non-banking financial institutions.  Today, Free, Orange Money and Wave are changing the game, you can pay your bills trough any of those options and make an easy transactions/ 

Payment methods used for electronic commerce by the Senegalese private sector 

Audiovisual Sector  

Senegal count more than 230 radios diffusing around the country  and 97 televisions

Some Radio Stations