In a global context marked by the rise of technologies, the digitalization of public administration in Senegal has become a central issue. During the council of ministers on June 12, 2024, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye reiterated his commitment to complete digitalization of public services. He gave clear directives to accelerate this transformation, emphasizing the importance of digital sovereignty, cybersecurity and support for technology companies.
As a researcher who has studied this issue in different works – co-evolution between science, technologies and innovation; Collaborative innovation in the era of Big and Open data: nomadic clusters as a response; Mapping of Digital Platforms and e-Commerce Emergence in Africa: Evidence from Senegal – I am convinced that digitalization is a necessary step. But it comes with many challenges that must be addressed to ensure the success of this transition.
Digital challenges
In the digital age, administrations must adapt their methods to meet the modern expectations of citizens. The use of dematerialized processes such as online platforms, digital applications and digital document management is gradually replacing traditional methods, which are often slow and prone to errors. This transition aims to improve public services while limiting paperwork and wasted time and documents.
Digital transformation allows public services to be faster, accessible 24 hours a day, inclusive and personalized, while reducing costs, delays and geographic barriers. It increases the quality of services (personalization and flexibility), transparency and the fight against corruption and stimulates economic growth by promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. In addition, digitalization reduces the carbon footprint as well as the use of paper and travel, thereby contributing to sustainability. Although it modernizes administrations and meets the growing needs of citizens, its application can pose challenges for agents and users.
Obstacles to digitalization
The implementation of digitalization in Senegal faces several major challenges. First, there are internal obstacles within the administration, such as resistance to change from public officials, lack of resources and skills needed to carry out digital transformation. Secondly, on the side of citizens, we also observe resistance to change, as well as difficulties linked to access to the required technological equipment (computers, smartphones) and to the mastery of digital tools, which limits their ability to use the new digital services.
Reluctance or resistance to change can be of disparate origins. Most of the reasons are linked to a feeling of discomfort on the part of the protagonists in the face of disruptions to their daily habits (break in routine). It is fear of the unknown and apprehension regarding one’s abilities to identify and control a new situation. They can also arise from a lack of skills of the actors concerned or from uncertainties about their future. Finally, the lack of commitment from these stakeholders can also come from a lack of self-confidence and a misunderstanding of the real meaning of digitalization and its challenges.
Four months have passed between President Faye’s announcement and today. The only implementation initiative concerns the launch by the Ministry of Civil Service and Public Service Reform of the “Gov’athon”. This is a competition open to students for proposing solutions for the transformation of the Civil Service and the provision of innovations in several sectors of activity (education, tourism, agriculture, livestock, transport, etc.).
Its objective is, through the contribution of citizens, to have solutions for modernizing the quality of public services by stimulating innovation and entrepreneurship.
Therefore, the general observation is that for the moment these are only announcement effects not yet followed by concrete operational effects, because nothing seems to have been developed. However, according to the ministry, a national digitalization strategy is being developed.
Challenges and opportunities
In addition, technological challenges arise, notably the lack of adequate telecommunications infrastructure, which restricts access to digital services to urban areas and excludes rural areas. The high cost of Internet access aggravates this situation. Cybersecurity and data privacy issues also pose significant obstacles. It is necessary to have efficient national data centers to ensure the digital sovereignty and data security of the country.
Furthermore, the central administration faces difficulties in financing initial investments and the maintenance of digital systems. Regulatory constraints are also present, as digitalized systems must comply with local and international laws, which can slow down the process due to legal complexities.
Finally, managerial challenges linked to the management of cultural and organizational change must be met. It is essential to train employees, prepare users to adopt new digital services and implement effective promotion and awareness strategies. Coordination between different government structures is also necessary to ensure coherent digital transformation.
Overcoming these challenges is essential for Senegal to succeed in the digitalization of its public services. This requires proactive management, careful planning and adequate investments. The country’s ability to master these obstacles will determine the success of this digital transition, which offers undeniable long-term benefits.
Project financing arrangements
Financing the digitalization of services and administration in Senegal is a complex issue that requires the mobilization of diversified resources, internal and external. On the internal side, it involves integrating specific lines into public budgets, at all levels (governments, regions, town halls), to finance these initiatives. Additionally, the savings generated by digitalization itself can help self-finance future projects.
Externally, Senegal can call on international financing, via loans, grants or public-private partnerships. Organizations like the World Bank, which funds the Digital Economy Acceleration Project (PAENS), or development agencies such as the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the French Development Agency (AFD) , are potential sources. However, although such financing can have positive effects, it carries risks, such as excessive exchange rate appreciation. Which could harm some local industries.
In 2024, the exploitation of Senegal’s oil and gas resources offers a unique opportunity to generate additional income. These resources could largely finance the digital transformation. They will thus reduce the country’s dependence on external financing, and limit the potential negative effects of external aid. The Strategic Orientation Committee for Oil and Gas (COS-PETROGAZ), the body responsible for advising the President of the Republic on the use of petroleum resources, plays an essential role in directing these funds towards projects beneficial to the population.
However, whatever the source of finance, its effective management is crucial. The pooling of resources and the search for economies of scale are necessary to guarantee the sustainability of projects, while avoiding financial scandals, such as those linked to the management of COVID-19 funds. Such a combined approach will ensure sustainable financing for the digitalization of services in Senegal.
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