The country is banking on digital transformation to fuel its socioeconomic development. The government is stepping up initiatives to harness digital technology to improve access to services, enhance transparency, and drive innovation.

Senegal launched a digital platform last week for obtaining the National Identification Number for Enterprises and Associations (NINEA). Inaugurated by Economy Minister Abdourahmane Sarr, the initiative aims to streamline and expedite business and association registration.

The launch is part of Senegal's broader "New Technological Deal" digital transformation strategy, which seeks to establish the country as a regional innovation leader. The government is prioritizing the digitization of public and private services to improve administrative efficiency, digital inclusion, and transparency.

"NINEA registration covers businesses operating in Senegal, nationally or internationally recognized associations, trade unions, central public administrations, public institutions, local authorities, political parties, occasional operators, landowners, NGOs, and more," the National Agency for Statistics and Demography (ANSD) said in its third-quarter 2023 report.

The platform's success, however, hinges on internet access. DataReportal reports Senegal had 10.79 million internet subscribers, representing a 60% penetration rate.

By Isaac K. Kassouwi

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji