05 January 2026
In its 2026 budget, Senegal has designated 13.5 billion CFA francs, approximately $24 million, to advance the modernization of its communications industry. 
This funding constitutes 16% of the total 81 billion CFA francs (around $145 million) budget approved last week by the National Assembly for the Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications, and Digital Affairs.
The official allocation aims to enhance media infrastructure, bolster sector capacity, and support reforms within the communications ecosystem. A significant portion of the funds will be dedicated to upgrading equipment at the public television station and the Senegalese Press Agency (APS), as well as developing the government’s digital platforms, particularly those related to online administrative services.
To confront rising online risks, the ministry also plans to establish a regulatory authority for media and digital platforms by 2026. According to a statement on the Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy’s Facebook page, this new regulator is tasked with addressing issues such as hate speech, cyberbullying, disinformation, and harmful advertising, which have often been left unregulated. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to supporting a free and responsible press, emphasizing that "freedom is not impunity."
This funding initiative aligns with broader efforts to create a "sovereign, just, and prosperous Senegal" in the digital age. With internet penetration rates expected to surpass 112% by 2024, according to Socialnetlink, digital access is becoming increasingly widespread. As such, modernizing media infrastructure is crucial to adapting to changing user habits and ensuring the dissemination of reliable information across the country.
