E-commerce/E-Government

 

The Stats

 

 

In 2001, there were 1.86 computers for 100 inhabitants.  Senegal is ahead of other African countries such as Egypt, Gabon, and Morocco.  There area about 180,000 PCs on the territory, which represents a 12.5% increase compared to 2001.  Of the 275 companies and organizations installed in Senegal: 98% are computerized (have at least one computer), 72% have a network (2 to 5 workstations in average)

 

E-commerce

 

This area is still at a developmental stage.  Companies have not started offering the products online; however, we note that websites such as www.seneweb.com, offer to Senegalese all over the world a means to buy certain items online.  Also, we note that Senegalese in Senegal have started using means such as Amazon.com, E-Bay.fr, to shop online.

Moreover, a new company Manobi-Senegal (Joint-venture between Manobi-France and Sonatel) that will produce and provide data services on mobile telephony to the rural sector and agribusiness professionals.  Manobi-Senegal will use technologies with multi-modal Mobile and Internet platform such as WAPii, SMSii, wired internet and Mobile, i-mode, Voice XML.  A $615,000 grant was given to apply this project to the Senegalese fishermen.  Indeed, the project will interconnect five fishing landing places with the main fishing marketplace, in Dakar, through the extension of the cellular network.

 

E-government

The Senegalese government has a presence on the web.  The website allows citizens, and investors to inquire about Senegal, its government, its administration, and its laws among other things.  The website serves a pure informational purpose.  The government has not yet reach the level at which it would be able to allow citizens to do transactions online such as: paying parking tickets, registering, renewals, or even voting.  The Senegalese government website can be viewed at www.gouv.sn.

 

Is there a future for e-commerce in Senegal?