AGP Executive Report

Digital Rights & AI Governance: The UN Human Rights Council unanimously adopted Armenia’s resolution on protecting women and girls’ rights in the context of digital technologies, focusing on access, participation in AI governance, and risks like bias and discrimination—Senegal is listed among the drafters. Senegal Data Infrastructure: STELLARIX Senegal is expanding its Diamniadio data centre capacity to support cloud services, AI workloads, and “sovereign” hosting, with contributions from Snef, SERTEM GROUPE and Kent Data Centres. Regional Digital Infrastructure: Vertiv and Cybastion signed an MoU to accelerate digital infrastructure projects across Northwest Africa, explicitly including Senegal, aiming to bundle power/cooling expertise with government digital-transformation relationships. Payments & Mobile Connectivity: Binance Pay launched a 20% mobile top-up discount (cap included) in 10 markets including Senegal, using airtime top-ups as a practical entry point for crypto payments. Climate & Gender Impacts: A Plan International assessment links climate disasters to higher risks for girls in Senegal and elsewhere, including unintended pregnancy and early marriage. Water Security Tech: Countries are adapting to water scarcity with infrastructure and newer tech like AI, from desalination to smarter irrigation. ECOWAS Biometric ID Push: ECOWAS public sensitization campaigns are rolling out to speed mutual recognition of its biometric identity card by December 2026, with Senegal among participating states.

Energy Investment Pulse: African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 in Cape Town (Oct 12–16) is set to bring 10,000+ delegates to push energy deals across upstream, finance, additions, and downstream tracks. Climate & Resilience: A new study links climate shocks to higher risks for girls—early marriage, unintended pregnancy, and violence—using interviews with 5,000 girls and young women including in Senegal. Digital Infrastructure for AI: Vertiv and Cybastion signed an MoU to target Northwest Africa (including Senegal) with critical data-centre and power/cooling solutions for sovereign digital projects. Senegal Data Centre Boost: STELLARIX Senegal is expanding its Diamniadio data-centre capacity to support cloud services and AI, with partners Snef, SERTEM Groupe and Kent Data Centres. AI Governance in Africa: A policy focus on who is accountable when AI systems fail, noting the AU’s Continental AI Strategy and gaps between national plans and real implementation. ECOWAS Identity Push: ECOWAS public sensitization campaigns are rolling out to speed mutual recognition of the ENBIC biometric ID by December 2026, with Senegal among early adopters. Senegal Connectivity: Air Cairo plans to resume direct Cairo–Dakar flights and support training for Air Sénégal staff. STEM Pipeline Warning: West Africa faces a STEM squeeze as fewer students choose science and physics tracks, threatening future research and engineering capacity.

Digital Infrastructure & AI: STELLARIX Senegal is expanding its Diamniadio data centre capacity to support cloud services, AI workloads, and “sovereign” hosting, with partners Snef, SERTEM GROUPE and Kent Data Centres. Data Centres & Power Ecosystems: Vertiv signed an MoU with Cybastion to speed up critical digital infrastructure projects across Northwest Africa, including Senegal, by bundling power/cooling expertise with digital transformation programmes. Energy Transition & Regional Tech Transfer: Algeria’s Sonelgaz signed two MoUs with Senegal’s Senelec to bring engineering, equipment and training into Senegal’s electricity and gas infrastructure as the country prepares for a new investment cycle. Regional Identity Tech: ECOWAS is pushing public sensitization for its biometric ID (ENBIC) so member states, including Senegal, can accept it at borders by December 2026. STEM Pipeline Concern: A regional report highlights declining interest in science and maths across West Africa, including Senegal, pointing to shortages of labs and teachers. Science & Heritage: Senegal awaits a report on the 1944 Thiaroye massacre, with archaeological work underway to clarify burial sites and the death toll. Space & Computing Ambition: A new piece explores the growing “lunar” race for off-planet nuclear power and computing—an angle on where future tech competition is heading.

Digital Infrastructure & AI: Vertiv and Cybastion signed an MoU to accelerate critical digital infrastructure across Northwest Africa, including Senegal, pairing data-centre expertise with government-linked digital transformation programmes. Energy Cooperation: Algeria’s Sonelgaz signed two MoUs with Senegal’s Senelec to transfer engineering know-how and support electricity and gas infrastructure—sparking debate on energy sovereignty as Senegal pushes toward gas. Data Centres for Sovereign Cloud: Stellarix (Axian Group) is expanding its Senegal data-centre capacity to meet AI demand and strengthen “digital sovereignty,” with partners including Snef and Kent Data Centres. Fintech Payments Reform: BCEAO made PI-SPI mandatory from Nov 2 for interoperable e-money transactions across UEMOA and revised fees, aiming to improve service quality and enable new uses. STEM & Skills Pressure: A report highlights a STEM pipeline squeeze across West Africa, with fewer students choosing science tracks and limited labs/teachers. Education Oversight: Senegal’s higher-education ministry published an initial list of 34 private institutions it says are unrecognized, urging students to verify authorizations before enrolling. Justice & History: Senegal awaits a long-awaited report on the 1944 Thiaroye massacre, tied to truth and historical accountability. Mobility & Connectivity: Air Cairo plans to resume direct Cairo–Dakar flights and offers training support for Air Sénégal engineers and crews. Water Innovation Call: The Arab Youth Centre opened Youth Pitches applications for solutions to water challenges ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi (hosted with Senegal).

Digital Transformation: Senegal’s Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Affairs and Nokia signed a partnership to back the New Deal Technologique, focusing on network resilience, cybersecurity, digital public services, innovation, and skills transfer. Energy Diplomacy: Algeria and Senegal agreed to deepen cooperation across hydrocarbons and power, with Sonelgaz signing two memorandums with Senelec to support Senegal’s electricity and gas infrastructure—sparking debate over energy sovereignty. AI Infrastructure: Stellarix (Axian Group) is expanding its Senegal data center capacity to meet rising cloud and AI demand, aiming to strengthen digital sovereignty. Payments Reform: BCEAO made PI-SPI mandatory from November 2 and revised fees, explicitly adding “new uses” as a reform goal for UEMOA electronic money. STEM Pipeline Pressure: A new regional report highlights declining interest in science across West Africa, including Senegal, raising concerns about future engineering and research capacity. Health & Climate: A major global study links climate disasters to higher risks of child marriage, teen pregnancy, and violence against girls, with data including Senegal. Higher Education Oversight: Senegal published an initial list of 34 private higher education institutions it says are unrecognized, urging students to verify authorizations before enrolling. Justice & History: Senegal’s authorities are set to receive a long-awaited report on the 1944 Thiaroye massacre, aiming to clarify deaths and burial details. Mobility: Air Cairo plans to resume direct Cairo–Dakar flights and support training for Air Sénégal staff. Business & Rights: The Africa Business and Human Rights Forum concluded in Dakar, pushing responsible business conduct tied to clean, healthy, sustainable environments.

Ethical Finance Forum Geneva 2026: The EFF Geneva 2026 opens in Geneva, bringing African sovereign issuers and European Islamic finance players together to channel diaspora savings into ethical investment for Africa. Senegal Historical Justice: Senegal is awaiting a long-awaited report on the 1944 Thiaroye massacre, commissioned to clarify what happened to tirailleurs after WWII protests over pay and demobilization. Digital Infrastructure for AI: Stellarix, backed by Madagascar billionaire Hassanein Hiridjee’s Axian Group, is expanding its Senegal data center capacity to support cloud computing and AI, with a push for “sovereign cloud” services. Digital Transformation Partnership: Senegal’s telecom ministry and Nokia signed a partnership in Dakar to support network resilience, cybersecurity, digital public services, and skills transfer under the New Deal Technologique. Energy & Connectivity: Air Cairo plans to resume direct Cairo–Dakar flights and also offer training support for Air Sénégal engineers and mechanics, plus a possible cargo link. Higher Education Oversight: Senegal’s ministry published a first list of 34 private higher education institutions deemed unrecognized by the state, urging students to verify authorizations before enrolling. STEM Pipeline Worry: A regional report highlights declining science interest across West Africa, including Senegal, raising concerns about future engineers and researchers. Energy Reliability & Gas Push: Senegal’s power cuts in September are being linked to fuel supply and system issues, with the energy minister arguing for faster gas adoption and pipeline buildout. Regional Tech & Business: ECOWAS Startup Awards named Nigeria’s Hubpharm Africa and Services the overall winner, with Senegal’s Gaynako also taking a top prize.

Senegal Historical Justice: Senegal is set to receive a long-awaited report on the 1944 Thiaroye massacre, aiming to clarify who was killed, the death toll, and burial details after decades of uncertainty. Aviation & Skills: Air Cairo plans to restart direct Cairo–Dakar flights and says it will help train Air Sénégal engineers, mechanics, and flight staff, plus explore a cargo link. AI Infrastructure: Stellarix (Axian Group) is expanding its Senegal data center capacity to support cloud computing and AI, pushing “digital sovereignty” with added resilience and local workload hosting. STEM Pipeline Worry: A regional report highlights declining student interest in science and maths across West Africa, including Senegal, warning of a future shortage of engineers and researchers. Diplomacy & Tech Cooperation: Serbia’s Damjan Jović met Senegal’s Cheikh Niang in Dakar, with ICT, medicine, agriculture, and security cooperation flagged for deeper ties. Energy & Power Reliability: Senegal’s September power cuts renew calls to accelerate gas-based electricity generation, alongside plans for new gas pipelines and revised offshore block strategy. Higher Education Oversight: Senegal’s ministry published an initial list of 34 private higher education institutions deemed unrecognized, urging students to verify authorizations before enrolling. Digital Transformation Partnership: Senegal’s telecom ministry and Nokia signed a framework deal covering connectivity resilience, cybersecurity, digital public services, and skills transfer. Regional Tech & Business: ECOWAS Startup Awards crowned Nigeria’s Hubpharm Africa as winner, with Senegal’s Gaynako also taking a top prize—boosting cross-border tech entrepreneurship. Human Rights Probe: Senegal’s prosecutor opened an investigation into 2021–2024 violence, citing preliminary findings of deaths and hundreds of torture or inhumane treatment victims.

Digital Transformation: Senegal’s telecom ministry and Nokia signed a partnership in Dakar to support the New Deal Technologique, focusing on connectivity resilience, cybersecurity, digital public services, innovation, and skills transfer. Higher Education Oversight: Senegal’s Ministry of Higher Education published an initial list of 34 private institutions it says are unrecognized by the state, urging students to verify authorizations before enrolling. Energy & Gas Debate: Algeria’s Sonelgaz signed two MoUs with Senelec to bring Algerian engineering, equipment, and training into Senegal’s power and gas infrastructure—already sparking debate over energy sovereignty and Algeria’s regional footprint. Electricity Reliability: Senegal’s September power cuts highlighted the push to embrace gas, with the energy minister citing rising demand and fuel/technology gaps while outlining plans for new gas pipelines and revised offshore block strategy. STEM Pipeline Concern: A regional report warns that fewer students across West Africa are choosing science tracks, including Senegal, as schools face shortages of teachers and labs. Payments Innovation: BCEAO released the latest list of 175 authorized participants for interoperable instant payments (PI-SPI), with Senegal leading at 43, including banks and fintechs. Health Research: Congo’s Ebola response adds momentum with a trial enrolling 250+ people for an experimental antiviral pill aimed at post-exposure prevention. Agriculture & Climate: Research coverage highlights African rice’s domestication history and why better understanding it could help farmers adapt to climate stress.

Ebola Research: Congo’s deadliest Ebola outbreak is getting a potential new tool as a trial enrolls 250+ people for a post-exposure antiviral pill targeting Bundibugyo virus. STEM & Education: West Africa is seeing a sharp drop in science interest, with Senegal named among countries where students increasingly avoid science tracks. Digital Payments in West Africa: BCEAO has authorized 175 institutions to offer interoperable instant payments (PI-SPI), with Senegal leading the list—good news for fintech and faster cross-entity transfers. Senegal Energy: Power cuts in September are pushing Senegal to lean harder into gas for electricity generation, alongside pipeline plans to move domestic gas. Health & Women’s Care: Nigeria marks a milestone with 1,000 HIFU treatments for fibroids and adenomyosis, expanding ultrasound-guided options for women. Regional Innovation: ECOWAS Startup Awards crowned Nigeria’s HubPharm Africa, with Senegal’s Gaynako taking runner-up—showing health-tech momentum across the region. Tax Justice: Dakar hosts PAC 2026 as African countries report $758M in extra tax revenue in early 2026, aiming to curb illicit flows. Transport Infrastructure: AfDB and Germany sign a railway cooperation framework to cut transport costs and improve cross-border rail links.

Senegal Energy & Infrastructure: Power cuts in September pushed Senegal’s energy minister to argue for faster gas adoption, citing rising demand and fuel/technology gaps; the plan includes ~340 km of gas pipelines and a refreshed offshore block map to attract investors. Science & Education: A West Africa-wide STEM slump is hitting science enrolment, with Senegal named among countries where fewer students choose science tracks—raising fears of a future shortage of engineers and researchers. Digital Payments (BCEAO): The BCEAO published the new PI-SPI participant list, authorizing 175 institutions across the WAEMU; Senegal leads with 43, including fintech and mobile money firms, expanding interoperable instant payments. Health Tech (Senegal-made): Gavi approved the first-ever rapid measles diagnostic tests to speed outbreak response; the tests are manufactured by Institut Pasteur de Dakar’s subsidiary, boosting local production. Agritech & Food Losses: At the Africa Food Systems Forum, experts highlighted renewable energy and solar-powered irrigation/cold storage as practical fixes for post-harvest losses. Regional Innovation & Startups (ECOWAS): The ECOWAS Startup Awards crowned HubPharm Africa (Nigeria) and highlighted cross-border health-tech innovation, with Senegal’s Gaynako taking second. Space & Earth Observation: The UAE Space Agency signed agreements to expand cooperation with African partners, targeting Earth observation, capacity building, and space innovation. Environment (Whales): A South Atlantic whale sanctuary bid failed again at the IWC, with Senegal among the countries voting against.

Tax Justice in Dakar: PAC 2026 on illicit financial flows opened in Dakar, pushing for stronger accountability and African ownership of economic policy, with ATAF-backed reforms cited for generating hundreds of millions in additional assessments and collections in 2026. Digital Payments in West Africa: BCEAO published the updated PI-SPI participant list, authorizing 175 institutions across the WAEMU, with Senegal leading at 43 and fintechs included—an effort to expand interoperable instant payments beyond traditional banks. Local Health Tech for Measles: Gavi approved the first-ever rapid measles diagnostic tests, manufactured by Institut Pasteur de Dakar, aiming to speed outbreak response and support targeted vaccination. AI for Water Risk Planning: Experts discussed using AI, satellite data and modelling to predict water shortages and floods ahead of crises, alongside research into biodegradable membrane tech for water reuse. Space Cooperation: UAE Space Agency signed agreements to expand African partnerships in Earth observation, capacity building and peaceful space activities. Youth Sport Governance: Senegal’s Youth Olympic Games legacy is analyzed as a governance and safeguarding lesson for African youth sport policy. Maternal Medicine Co-Design: Advocates urged involving pregnant women and communities in designing maternal health medicines to improve suitability and reduce side effects.

Digital Payments in West Africa: BCEAO published the new list of 175 authorized participants to open PI-SPI interoperable instant payments to the public, with Senegal leading (43) and fintechs and mobile money firms included. Maternal Health Medicines: Advocates say pregnant women and communities should help design medicines for conditions like pre-eclampsia and maternal anaemia, pushing for community advisory boards. Measles Diagnostics for Outbreaks: Gavi approved the first rapid measles diagnostic tests, funded by Gavi and manufactured by Institut Pasteur de Dakar, to speed targeted vaccination. AI for Water Security: Khalifa University discussed using AI, satellite Earth observation and modelling to predict floods and shortages, plus biodegradable membrane tech for water reuse. Space Cooperation: UAE Space Agency signed agreements to expand cooperation with African partners on Earth observation, capacity building and space innovation. Senegal at the ECOWAS Court Crossroads: A Dakar conference highlighted the Court’s reform agenda, but the real test is turning recommendations into enforceable change. Rail Connectivity Deal: AfDB and Germany signed on to deepen Africa’s railway systems via feasibility work for an African Rail Competence Center. Youth Water Diplomacy: UAE and Senegal co-host the UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi (Dec 8–10) with 100 youth envoys selected to draft global youth water statements. Senegal in Global Research Capacity: Makerere’s ACT-PREP initiative aims to reduce Africa’s dependence on external clinical trial data by upgrading labs and training thousands, including Senegal.

Water & Youth Diplomacy: The Arab Youth Center picked 100 young “Global Youth Water Envoys” from 75 countries to help shape youth statements for the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi (Dec 8–10), co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal, with a two-month training program running through October and November. AI for Water Risk: Khalifa University researchers say AI plus satellite Earth observation and modelling could help governments anticipate water shortages and floods earlier, while also warning that AI infrastructure needs must be planned alongside water reuse tech. Space Cooperation: The UAE Space Agency signed agreements to expand ties with African partners on Earth observation, satellite data, capacity building and space innovation during Africa Space Expo in Abidjan. Maritime Integrity: Nigeria’s NIMASA plans to introduce body cameras for enforcement officers during vessel boarding to boost transparency and accountability. Higher Education Metrics: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 show Africa’s universities improving overall, with South Africa’s UCT returning to the global top 150 (joint 147th). Senegal-linked Science & Health Capacity: Makerere University launched a five-year ACT-PREP initiative to strengthen clinical trial and epidemic preparedness research across Africa, including Senegal, aiming to reduce dependence on external trial data. Waterborne Disease Watch: WHO reports cholera deaths rose 30% in 2025, with the African region seeing a sharp increase in both cases and deaths.

Water & AI for policy: Ahead of the UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi (Dec 8–10), UAE and Senegal-linked discussions highlighted how AI plus satellite Earth observation and modelling can help governments anticipate floods and water shortages, while also warning that AI needs energy and engineering links to be truly usable. Space for development: The UAE Space Agency signed new deals with African partners to expand Earth observation, capacity building and peaceful space cooperation, aiming to move from talks to delivery on water, disaster response and city planning. Senegal in global research rankings: South Africa’s UCT climbed back into the Times Higher Education World University Rankings top 150, while Nigeria leads sub-Saharan representation—useful context for Senegal’s own higher-ed ambitions. Health research capacity in Africa: Makerere University launched a five-year ACT-PREP initiative to reduce Africa’s dependence on outside clinical trial data by upgrading labs and training thousands across multiple countries including Senegal. Food security tech in Senegal: Cambridge’s open-source AI (Tessera) is being tested to map smallholder crops in Senegal’s groundnut basin, reaching 84% accuracy and promising cheaper, faster crop statistics for planning. Water diplomacy leadership: AMCOW’s Nelson Gomonda discussed Africa’s water governance priorities and how regional coordination is meant to translate into action.

Crop Mapping for Food Security: Cambridge’s open-source AI Tessera is being tested to map Senegal’s smallholder crops from satellites, hitting 84% accuracy and using far less computing—aimed at better targeting for food security planning. Livestock Theft Tech: Senegal’s National Integrated Livestock Development Program is rolling out a livestock identification and traceability pilot using electronic chips, collars and ear tags, with a CFA 1bn (US$1.7m) budget to cut annual losses from theft. UN Water Youth Leadership: The Arab Youth Center selected 100 young “Global Youth Water Envoys” from 75 countries for training ahead of the UAE–Senegal co-hosted UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi (Dec 8–10). UN Health Watch: WHO reports cholera deaths rose 30% in 2025 even as reported cases fell, underscoring gaps in safe water, sanitation, hygiene, surveillance, vaccination and care. Senegal in UN Diplomacy: Serbia’s foreign ministry state secretary met Senegal in Dakar, highlighting cooperation potential in ICT, agriculture, medicine and security. Cybersecurity Leadership: Canal+ CTO Stéphane Baumier was appointed Chairman of Irdeto, a platform security firm protecting billions of devices. Sahel Heat Risk: New projections warn El Niño-driven extreme heat could add tens of thousands of deaths across Sahel countries, with Senegal included in the affected belt.

Russia-Africa Defence Push: AAD 2026 in Pretoria and Egypt’s El Alamein airshow spotlight Russia’s shift from selling weapons to offering full defence lifecycles—maintenance, training, spare parts, tech transfer and possible local production—via Rosoboronexport and Rostec. AI Governance in the Spotlight: Universal AI Awards is bringing its Americas chapter to Miami on Dec 13 ahead of the G20, while Türkiye’s UN panel urges safer digital systems for children as AI accelerates new risks. Public Health Watch: WHO reports cholera deaths rose 30% in 2025, with the biggest burden in Africa, alongside updates on meningitis and plague. Senegal Tech for Food Security: Cambridge’s open-source AI model Tessera is helping map Senegal’s smallholder crops more accurately using less computing and less pre-labelled data. Water & Youth Diplomacy: 100 young people were selected for the Global Youth Water Envoys Programme, ahead of the UAE-Senegal co-hosted UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi. Livestock Theft Tech: Senegal allocates US$1.7M to pilot livestock identification and traceability using electronic chips, collars and ear tags. Cyber & Content Security: Canal+ CTO Stéphane Baumier becomes Chairman of Irdeto, which protects billions of devices worldwide. Senegal Youth Olympics Legacy: Coverage asks who will pay and manage sports facilities after Dakar hosts the first Youth Olympics on African soil.