• Senegal and BOAD discussed using the Digital Transformation Fund to modernize public services.

• Fund would back projects under Senegal’s $1.7 billion Technological New Deal.

• Plan faces a 155 billion CFA franc funding gap.

Senegal’s Minister of Communication, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy, Alioune Sall, met with a delegation from the West African Development Bank (BOAD) on Thursday, August 7. The meeting focused on strengthening Senegal's digital sovereignty and improving the efficiency of public services through a new partnership.

Discussions centered on the Digital Transformation Fund (FTD), an innovative financing mechanism backed by BOAD and the German bank KfW. The fund aims to support high-impact digital projects that can modernize the country's information systems and public services.

The two parties identified potential synergies between the FTD’s financing and the priority projects outlined in Senegal's national digital strategy, the Technological New Deal. BOAD reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Senegal's digital transformation and strengthening its administration through strategic partnerships.

If the collaboration moves forward, BOAD could finance critical infrastructure and public service digitization projects, helping to create a more dynamic digital ecosystem. This support would allow Senegal to accelerate its Technological New Deal objectives, while also boosting its digital sovereignty and economic competitiveness.

The Technological New Deal has an overall budget of 1,105 billion CFA francs ($1.7 billion). Of that amount, 950 billion CFA francs have been identified, including 150 billion from private financing and 800 billion from the "Vision 2050" transformation agenda. This leaves a shortfall of 155 billion CFA francs to be mobilized to fully achieve the plan's objectives.

Samira Njoya