Senegal and Finland have advanced a strategic partnership focused on building AI-ready infrastructure, strengthening cybersecurity, and accelerating digital transformation, following high-level talks in Dakar.
“This meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of both countries to building an ambitious strategic partnership based on innovation, the transfer of expertise and the development of sustainable digital solutions for the benefit of citizens,” Senegal’s Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Affairs said in a statement.
The discussions took place on March 26, 2026, on the sidelines of the second session of political consultations between both countries in Dakar, marking a significant step in Senegal’s push to modernise its digital economy and position itself as a technology hub in West Africa.
Finland’s delegation was led by Outi Holopainen of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland and included Katja Ahlfors.
The Challenges Holding Back Senegal’s Digital Infrastructure
Senegal’s digital transformation faces a triad of interconnected challenges. First, the country still has 540 ‘white zones’ with no network coverage, leaving an estimated 7 million citizens affected by the digital divide. Additionally, many rural areas rely on outdated 2G technology.
Second, cybersecurity remains critically underdeveloped, with the West African country being one of the few countries in the region without a dedicated Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT). This leaves it vulnerable to surging cyberattacks that increasingly target public services and critical infrastructure.
Third, disinformation campaigns are actively reshaping public perception, with fake content spread during elections fueling distrust, exploiting divisions, and skewing democratic discourse across the continent, including in Senegal.
Senegal is not alone in this gap in cybersecurity. On March 4, TechMedia Africa reported that 82% of African organizations are unable to find qualified cybersecurity and AI professionals, a global high that is directly linked to the $5 billion in cybercrime losses the continent faced last year.
To improve security around the cyber space, financial institutions in Nigeria, another West African state, were asked by the country’s apex bank to implement a Cybersecurity Self-Assessment Tool (CSAT) to strengthen the sector’s resilience against growing cyber threats.
How the Partnership will Help Boost Cyber Defences and AI Infrastructure in Senegal
The Finland-Senegal partnership tackles these challenges head-on through a comprehensive, multi-layered approach.
On infrastructure, the two nations will collaborate on modernizing data centers, improving government connectivity, and establishing an “AI-ready” data center, alongside expanding the capacity of the SHARE subsea cable to boost national and regional connectivity.
“The development of sovereign and resilient digital infrastructures, through structuring projects such as the modernization of data centers, the connectivity of administrations and the establishment of an “AI ready” data center, the capacity upgrade of the Share cable,” the statement reads in part.
On cybersecurity, both sides have committed to strengthening national capacities, protecting critical infrastructure, and developing joint responses to evolving digital threats—directly addressing Senegal’s urgent need for coordinated cyber defence mechanisms.
On disinformation, the partnership promotes media literacy, shares best practices, and reinforces information integrity through innovative tools, helping citizens distinguish reliable information from manipulation.
Why Senegal’s digital leap matters for West Africa
If successful, this strategic alliance will deliver tangible benefits for Senegalese citizens and the broader West African region.
Modernized digital infrastructure will create thousands of tech-sector jobs, from data center engineers to cybersecurity specialists, while enabling young Senegalese entrepreneurs to build and scale digital businesses without relying on foreign servers.
Improved connectivity will bring e-government services, telemedicine, and online education to millions currently excluded from the digital economy.
Robust cybersecurity and media literacy will protect democratic institutions from manipulation, safeguarding public trust in elections and governance.
In February, an INTERPOL-supported cybercrime operation, which involved 16 African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya and Senegal, dismantled 1,442 malicious IPs, domains, and servers, and recovered over $4.3 million.
Most importantly, by establishing Senegal as a regional hub for secure, AI-ready digital infrastructure, the partnership positions the country to attract international investment, export digital services, and assert genuine digital sovereignty..
