The National Assembly is examining in plenary session, this Thursday, December 4, 2025, the draft budget for 2026 of the Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Economy.

Set at 85.15 billion FCFA, this amount marks the authorities' firm commitment to accelerating the country's digital transformation and strengthening digital sovereignty in the face of cybersecurity, regulation and digital inclusion challenges.

This budget was deemed strategic by the committee in the current context of technological change and the fight for digital independence in African states. The ministry thus benefits from a substantial allocation, intended to strengthen telecommunications infrastructure, support public media, develop digital government services, and improve public access to information technologies.

According to the presentation note, a significant portion of the budget will be dedicated to the deployment of fiber optics across the entire territory, the modernization of equipment at RTS (Radiodiffusion Télévision Sénégalaise) and the Agence de presse sénégalaise (APS), and the strengthening of the State's digital platforms.

The plan also includes the implementation of mechanisms for the protection of personal data, in accordance with international standards, and the strengthening of the security of public information systems. However, parliamentarians raised several concerns. Some emphasized the need for better regulation of social media, given the proliferation of misinformation and hate speech.

Others have argued for stronger support for community media, which are often left on the sidelines of state support programs.