Senegal Moves to Strengthen Critical Infrastructure and Digital Security
Under the proposed framework, ordinary information systems would face baseline security requirements, while critical infrastructure would be subject to stronger measures, including enhanced monitoring, data encryption, backup systems, business continuity and regular resilience testing.
Senegal is moving to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure and digital systems under a proposed law presented by the Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Economy on August 13, 2026.
The bill, presented to a joint parliamentary commission, is positioned as a key component of Senegal’s digital sovereignty agenda as government services, economic activity and daily life become increasingly dependent on digital infrastructure.
Under the proposed framework, ordinary information systems would face baseline security requirements, while critical infrastructure would be subject to stronger measures, including enhanced monitoring, data encryption, backup systems, business continuity and regular resilience testing.
The legislation would also strengthen Senegal’s cybersecurity architecture through the establishment of a National Cybersecurity Authority, National CERT, sector-specific CERTs and Cybersecurity Operations Centres (SOCs). It would introduce requirements for reporting certain cyber incidents and vulnerabilities, while also establishing rules for outsourcing digital services and hosting public-sector data locally.
Beyond cybersecurity, the proposed law is intended to support the development of Senegal’s domestic cybersecurity industry. The government expects stronger security and compliance requirements to create opportunities for local companies and startups, encourage the development of accredited service providers, generate skilled employment and support the emergence of national cybersecurity champions.
The bill also seeks to strengthen protections for citizens by improving the security of personal data, connected devices and essential digital services, while increasing trust in digital platforms.
For the government, the legislation is intended to strengthen digital sovereignty and national resilience by prioritising the protection of strategic infrastructure, keeping public-sector data within Senegal and improving national capabilities to detect and respond to cyber threats.
The proposed legislation forms part of Senegal’s broader digital transformation agenda under the New Deal Technologique and the Senegal 2050 National Transformation Agenda.
