Internet adoption in Senegal is closely tied to mobile telephony, particularly regarding mobile internet. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of active SIM cards in Senegal rose from 20.5 million to 22.4 million.
Senegal’s telecoms authority (ARTP) reported 19.8 million internet subscriptions with mobile operators and internet service providers as of December 31, 2023. This marks a 15.2% growth from the 17.2 million recorded in 2022. The regulator did not specify whether this figure pertains to the number of individuals using the Internet or the number of SIM cards with Internet access. However, the penetration rate increased from 97.12% in 2022 to 110.11% in 2023.
Regarding mobile telephony, the number of active SIM cards in Senegal increased from 20.5 million to 22.4 million between 2022 and 2023. "The number of mobile phone lines (22,400,205), significantly higher than the Senegalese population (18,032,473), is explained by the phenomenon of multi-SIM (a customer owning multiple SIM cards)," stated the ARTP.
The regulator did not provide the reasons behind this growth in internet users. However, official data shows an increase in internet traffic from 8.33 terabits to 13.15 terabits in 2023, representing an annual growth rate of about 58%. This surge can be attributed to Senegalese people's renewed interest in online platforms used for information, online business, communication with relatives, entertainment, and participation in public debates on political governance. Additionally, government digital services and innovative services provided by private startups in education, health, commerce, and agriculture contribute to this growth.
The increase in internet adoption and usage can also be credited to various initiatives implemented by the government to accelerate digital service adoption. For instance, in April 2023, the government secured a $150 million loan from the World Bank to expedite Senegal's digital transformation. The initiative includes extending affordable high-speed connectivity to remote areas, among other measures.