Program . Nevertheless , limited fiscal buffers and safety nets , a vulnerable health care system , and a large informal sector pose challenges .

Economic recovery will likely be gradual . Reforms envisaged under the Emerging Senegal Plan need to be deepened for growth to resume its pre-pandemic trajectory . Services remain the main contributor to GDP , and the primary sector , agriculture , the most dynamic engine of growth . Oil and gas projects have been delayed because of the health crisis and are not expected to contribute to revenues and exports before 2035 .

Technology for progress

Senegal ’ s key development challenge is to mitigate the socioeconomic impact of the pandemic while enabling sustainable and inclusive growth . This will require lowering energy costs , reducing the carbon footprint , and optimising the energy mix . Promoting the services economy and boosting the productivity and competitiveness of agriculture and related value chains . As well as Boosting and protecting human capital for productivity growth enhancing competitiveness and job creation by improving digital and physical connectivity at the national and regional levels and increasing the efficiency of labour markets .

Senegal has a relatively advanced telecommunications infrastructure with approximately 17.5 million cell phone accounts and 338,000 landlines in a population of 17.2 million . Mobile phone penetration defined as the ratio of SIM cards to the total population reached 114 % in 2020 , while individual Internet use was 43 % in 2020 .

Alpha Barry , Head of Atos in Africa

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