Senegal refocuses digital strategy on sovereign cloud and AI

• Senegal plans to make sovereign cloud infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI) central to its digital transformation strategy.
• The government’s New Deal Technologique includes 12 programs and 50 priority projects, with a planned investment of CFA1,105 billion ($2 billion) between 2025 and 2034.
• The new roadmap will prioritize projects based on feasibility, funding and measurable impact, with AI applications targeting sectors such as healthcare and education.

Senegal has identified sovereign cloud infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI) as two major pillars of its digital transformation. Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo presented the General Policy Statement (DPG) on Tuesday, September 8. The statement calls for the creation of a sovereign cloud to host sensitive government data in Senegal.

The government also plans to accelerate AI adoption across different areas of public policy. This approach builds on the New Deal Technologique, which Senegal launched in February 2025 to accelerate the country’s digital transformation.

The program includes 12 programs and 50 priority projects and carries an announced budget of CFA1,105 billion (about $2 billion) for the 2025-2034 period. However, the new roadmap will narrow the selection of initiatives by focusing on their feasibility, financing and expected impact.

Senegal’s digital sovereignty strategy extends beyond cloud infrastructure. The DPG also prioritizes the security of public data and digital identities, the digitization of public services and the protection of critical infrastructure.

The government will assess digital deployment through several indicators, including service availability, actual usage, reductions in processing times and costs, system interoperability, and national control over data and infrastructure.

These priorities aim to shift the country’s digital strategy from project announcements toward measurable improvements in public services and greater control over strategic digital assets.

In artificial intelligence, the government plans to deploy applications across several sectors. The DPG highlights telemedicine and digital education, including a plan to build 15,000 connected classrooms.

This approach positions AI as more than a technology policy. Senegal also sees it as a tool for improving the delivery and efficiency of public services.

Samira Njoya