Senegal’s mobile internet adoption has seen a significant increase in the past year. According to the country’s telecoms authority, as of December 31, 2023, there were 19.8 million internet subscriptions with mobile operators and internet service providers, marking a 15.2% growth from the previous year. The ARTP 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.
The number of active SIM cards in Senegal also significantly rose, increasing from 20.5 million to 22.4 million in the same period. The ARTP attributed this surge to the phenomenon of multi-SIM, where customers own multiple SIM cards.
The reasons behind this growth in internet users are not clear, but 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 suggests that Senegalese people are increasingly using online platforms for information, online business, communication, entertainment, and participation in public debates on political governance.
The government’s initiatives to accelerate digital service adoption have also contributed to the growth in internet adoption and usage. In April 2023, the government secured a $150 million loan from the World Bank to expedite Senegal’s digital transformation, including expanding affordable high-speed connectivity to remote areas.
Overall, the increase in internet adoption and usage in Senegal is a positive development for the country’s digital economy and people’s access to information and services.
