Senegal is ramping up partnerships to drive its digital transformation, and Visa is the latest global player to commit to this strategy. The move shows Senegal’s determination to modernize its financial system and boost digital inclusion.

On July 2, Minister of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Economy Alioune Sall met with a Visa delegation led by Ismahill Diaby, Vice President and General Manager for West Africa, Francophone Central Africa, and Lusophone Africa. The meeting strengthened ties between Senegal and the global payments giant.

𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞́𝐠𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐮 𝐍𝐮𝐦𝐞́𝐫𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞, 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐞𝐭 𝐥𝐚 𝐝𝐞́𝐥𝐞́𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐞 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐀 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐞́𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞-𝐏𝐫𝐞́𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐞𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐮𝐫 𝐆𝐞́𝐧𝐞́𝐫𝐚𝐥… pic.twitter.com/gY2JfaMtPT

— Ministère Communication - Télécoms et Numérique (@mctngouvsn) July 2, 2025

They discussed ways to improve Senegal’s digital payment infrastructure, digitize public services, and expand access to modern solutions like contactless and mobile payments. Both sides agreed to set up a joint working group to identify priority projects and launch pilot programs with strong economic and social benefits.

This partnership fits into Senegal’s New Technological Deal, an ambitious digital strategy launched in February 2025. The plan aims to establish Senegal as a hub of innovation in Africa.

Visa, active in Senegal since 2001, has partnered with banks, telecoms, fintechs, and government bodies to modernize payments and promote financial inclusion. The company wants to build on this work by helping digitize public payments and working with local startups to develop solutions suited to Senegal’s needs.

Through this agreement, Senegal hopes to tap into Visa’s technology to boost public revenues, reduce the informal economy, grow the digital sector, and strengthen financial sovereignty. These goals align with the New Technological Deal’s focus on modernizing public administration, developing a local digital economy, and upgrading payment systems.

Samira Njoya