Senegal's Minister of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Affairs receive Finland delegation

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

Senegal and Finland have reinforced bilateral cooperation in digital transformation and communication following high-level discussions held on the sidelines of the second session of political consultations between the two countries in Dakar.

The meeting, hosted by Senegal’s Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Affairs, brought together a Finnish delegation led by Outi Holopainen, Undersecretary of State at Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alongside Finland’s Ambassador to Senegal, Katja Ahlfors. The delegation was received by the Senegalese Minister of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Affairs, Alioune Sall providing an opportunity to advance dialogue on shared priorities in the digital sector.

Discussions focused on the development of sovereign and resilient digital infrastructure, including projects aimed at modernizing data centers, enhancing government connectivity, and establishing AI-ready facilities. The talks also addressed capacity upgrades for submarine cable systems as part of broader efforts to strengthen national and regional connectivity.

Both sides explored avenues for enhanced technical and financial cooperation, particularly in alignment with Senegal’s New Deal for Technology and the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative. Cybersecurity emerged as a key priority, with emphasis on strengthening national capabilities, safeguarding critical infrastructure, and expanding international partnerships to address rising digital threats.

The meeting also examined strategies to combat disinformation and promote media literacy through knowledge sharing, capacity building, and the development of innovative tools to ensure information integrity.

Officials from both countries reaffirmed their commitment to building a strategic partnership grounded in innovation, expertise exchange, and sustainable digital development, with the aim of advancing Senegal’s digital transformation and strengthening its digital sovereignty.