Wired but disconnected: the hidden inequality in Senegal’s internet rollout 🌐

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Senegal may be embracing the digital age, but not everyone is reaping the benefits equally. A recent nationwide study reveals a stark gap between urban and rural communities when it comes to internet access—raising big questions about inclusion, infrastructure, and opportunity in the country’s digital future.

Internet access remains highly uneven across regions 📶

The numbers are clear. In Dakar, 43.8% of households have internet access at home. In rural areas? Just 3%. That’s according to a joint survey by Senegal’s telecom regulator ARTP and the national statistics agency ANSD.

Despite efforts to expand connectivity, digital infrastructure remains heavily concentrated in cities, leaving rural areas underserved. High costs for devices and subscriptions add to the problem—making internet access a luxury that many rural families simply can’t afford.

Plenty of devices, but limited connections 📱

The same study, conducted between September and October 2024 across 1,719 households, shows that tech devices are nearly ubiquitous: over 99% of Senegalese households own at least one digital device—whether a phone, tablet, or computer.

But owning a device doesn’t mean being connected. True internet access depends on connection quality and affordability. In many areas, families rely on mobile data or shared connections, often slow and unreliable—putting a ceiling on how people use the web.

Digital usage is still limited, even with mobile coverage 💻

The study also highlights a significant digital usage gap. While 28.1% of households in Dakar own a computer, the number drops to 17.3% in other cities and just 5.1% in rural areas. The user experience follows a similar trend: 64.9% of people in Dakar say they’re satisfied with their internet service, versus only 21.1% in rural regions.

And even where connectivity exists, usage remains basic. Just 4.1% of users report engaging in e-commerce, and only 6.6% use online government services. That points to a broader challenge—ensuring that people not only get online, but learn how to leverage the digital tools available to them.

A strategic challenge for national development 🏫

Digital transformation is central to Senegal’s national agenda. The report arrives as the government ramps up its New Technological Deal, a program aimed at rolling out high-speed connectivity across the country—with a strong focus on rural areas.

There’s more than access at stake here. Reducing the digital divide means unlocking local economic growth, expanding access to education, and building a more inclusive digital ecosystem. But turning that vision into reality will require sustained investment in infrastructure, and policies that reflect the needs of communities often left behind.

👉🏾 Do you believe tech can truly close the gap between Senegal’s cities and rural areas? Let us know what you think in the comments! 😊