The strategic workshop of the West African National Backbone Network (ROA-BN) opened this Thursday, April 9th, in Dakar. Meeting in the Senegalese capital, the network set itself the objective, for the period 2026-2030, of pooling, harmonizing, and optimizing the management of digital infrastructure in order to strengthen regional connectivity.

A lever for digital sovereignty

Faced with major challenges in connectivity and reducing communication costs, the initiative aims to maximize the economic value of networks. Aligned with the African Union's Agenda 2063, it aspires to build an integrated, sovereign, and inclusive digital market in West Africa.

Presiding over the opening ceremony, Serigne Ahmadou Bamba Sy, Secretary General of the Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Affairs, praised this initiative: “The ambition of this network is noble and aligned with our authorities’ commitment to African integration. It aims to pool our infrastructure to reduce costs and eliminate duplication. Through enhanced collaboration, we will be able to develop joint investment programs.”

Towards an integrated digital market

Structured around universal connectivity, the project is part of the AU's objective to connect 80% of the population by 2033. For Isidore Diouf, Director General of Sénégal Numérique, the issue is crucial for economic development and territorial equity.

"In view of global challenges, connectivity is a driver of growth. Faced with the problems of the rural world and the strong dependence on international equipment manufacturers, it was imperative that backbone managers unite to define a common strategic roadmap," he explained.

Thus, this meeting, which concludes this Friday, April 10, brought together 9 countries from the sub-region: Sierra Leone, Ghana, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Mali (which holds the Presidency), Guinea

(which houses the Headquarters), Niger and Senegal (host country of the session).