logo
Senegal's tech ecosystem thrives as tech hub evolves

Senegal's tech ecosystem thrives as tech hub evolves

Zawya16-06-2025
OPTIC, Senegal's leading organization for tech professionals, has worked for three years with the Netherlands Trust Fund (NTF) V project at ITC to improve its services. Together we've improved Senegal's entire digital ecosystem by investing in new skills and opportunities.
Positive spin-offs for Senegal's digital ecosystem
OPTIC, the Organisation des Professionnels des Technologies de l'Information et de la Communication, has a long-standing and fruitful collaboration with ITC. They've worked with the current NTF V project, which is now winding down, as well as the previous NTF IV project.
The project supports Senegal's efforts to grow its economy with digital technology. That includes both information technology (IT) companies, and business process outsourcing (BPO) firms that offer back-office services to international businesses.
'NTF's support has enabled us to establish our legitimacy and intensify our efforts in the Senegalese tech ecosystem,' said Antoine Ngom, President of OPTIC. 'Dozens of IT and BPO start-ups have benefited from this initiative, not to mention the indirect spin-offs that have benefited the entire tech economy.'
OPTIC has set itself several goals: to create a regulatory environment conducive to growth and innovation; to improve the skills and competitiveness of players on international markets; and to foster partnerships.
'Our members have been able to seize international development opportunities thanks to personalized coaching sessions, as well as work on their pitch and sharpen their fund-raising skills through specialized training courses. Participation in leading B2B events, both national (SIPEN) and international (VivaTech, Africarena, GITEX International), considerably increased their visibility and expanded their professional network. A 360° diagnosis helped them to identify levers for improving their company's performance, while certification support opened doors to national and international public procurement markets, synonymous with new growth prospects. The agritech community also benefited from a number of thematic meetings and a mapping of solutions.'
Strengthen achievements and maintain regional influence
OPTIC also received comprehensive, structuring support from the NTF V Project. After a performance diagnosis, OPTIC restructured its governance, revised its fundamental texts, and defined its recruitment needs for the permanent secretariat.
'Cooperation between OPTIC and the NTF V project has also helped to make the SIPEN trade show a major focal point for players in the African digital economy. And that's not counting the technical support we've provided for workshops, digital mornings and other ThémaTIC breakfasts that benefit Senegal's Tech community,' said Ngom.
All these initiatives have contributed to the emergence of the Digital Senegal consortium and to the realization of promising partnerships with players such as Sen Startup. 'There's no doubt that the NTF V project has helped OPTIC to strengthen its leadership capabilities and increase its regional influence. We've seen a significant increase in membership over the past few years,' added Ngom, who hopes to build on this positive impact over the long term. Now that the trade organization has secured a plot of land on which to build its future head office, achieving financial autonomy is a new challenge.
'We want OPTIC to reinforce its position as a key digital player in Senegal and more widely in West Africa. To achieve this, we plan to boost our regional cooperation and support dialogue with public authorities more than ever. To continue our work, diversify our best practices and develop profitable activities, we are launching an appeal to national and international partners,' he said. Ngom hopes a future NTF VI project will be part of that.
About the project
The Netherlands Trust Fund V (NTF) programme (July 2021 – June 2025) is based on a partnership between the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Trade Centre. NTF V supports SMEs in the digital technology and agribusiness sectors in Benin,Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Senegal and Uganda. Its ambition is to contribute to an inclusive and sustainable transformation of agri-food systems partly through digital solutions, to improve the international competitiveness of local tech start-ups and to support the implementation of the export strategy of IT&BPO companies.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Deputy Finance Minister Inaugurates Venture Capital Trust Fund Board
Deputy Finance Minister Inaugurates Venture Capital Trust Fund Board

Zawya

timean hour ago

  • Zawya

Deputy Finance Minister Inaugurates Venture Capital Trust Fund Board

The Deputy Minister for Finance, Hon. Thomas Nyarko-Ampem, has inaugurated a new Governing Board for the Venture Capital Trust Fund (VCTF). He noted that the Trust Fund was established to address a critical gap in the country's financial architecture and remains a strategic investment for national development. He then urged the board to identify the right businesses and innovative ideas that can drive economic growth and help develop the country. Board Chairman, Dr. Daniel K. Seddoh, expressed appreciation to government for the opportunity to serve and pledged that the team will work to fulfil its mandate in line with the Trust Fund's strategic objectives. Members of the Venture Capital Trust Fund Board: 1. Dr. Daniel K. Seddoh – Chairperson 2. Mr. Michael Abbey – Administrator of the Trust Fund / Member 3. Ms. Emmanueler Ewurabena Quaye – Ministry of Finance Representative / Member 4. Ms. Alimatu Issahak – Ministry of Private Sector Development Representative / Member 5. Mr. Kisseih Antonio – Ghana Securities Industry Association Representative / Member 6. Mr. Victor Yaw Asante – Ghana Association of Bankers Representative / Member 7. Mr. Henry Bukari – Ghana Insurers Association Representative / Member 8. Ms. Evelyn Mawuse Amesame – Formal Sector Representative / Member 9. Nana Okokodurfo Ogyeabo Kwamena Hamma Ababio VII – Informal Sector Representative / Member Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Finance - Republic of Ghana.

Seven Member Ghana Amalgamated Trust Board inaugurated
Seven Member Ghana Amalgamated Trust Board inaugurated

Zawya

timean hour ago

  • Zawya

Seven Member Ghana Amalgamated Trust Board inaugurated

The Deputy Minister for Finance, Hon. Thomas Nyarko-Ampem, has inaugurated a new Governing Board for the Ghana Amalgamated Trust PLC (GAT), expressing confidence that the members will deliver on their mandate, given their collective experience and expertise. He further underscored government's commitment to protecting the banking sector, stressing that this administration has chosen to invest in saving banks rather than spending over 30 billion cedis to collapse them. Board Chairperson Dr. Kwabena Donkor pledged the board will work to create a financially sustainable banking sector, ensuring profitability and delivering dividends. Members of the Ghana Amalgamated Trust PLC Board: Dr. Kwabena Donkor – Chairperson Mr. Abraham Tetteh – Managing Director Hon. Joseph Appiah Boateng, MP – Member Mr. Benjamin Dabrah – Member Mr. Benjamin Komla Kpodo – Member Mr. Kotobridja Francis Ploughman – Member Hon. Nicholas Amankwah, MP – Member Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Finance - Republic of Ghana.

Deputy Finance Minister Inaugurates New Ghana Incentive-Based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending Ltd. (GIRSAL) Board
Deputy Finance Minister Inaugurates New Ghana Incentive-Based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending Ltd. (GIRSAL) Board

Zawya

timean hour ago

  • Zawya

Deputy Finance Minister Inaugurates New Ghana Incentive-Based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending Ltd. (GIRSAL) Board

The Deputy Minister for Finance, Hon. Thomas Nyarko-Ampem, has inaugurated a new Governing Board for the Ghana Incentive-Based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending Ltd. (GIRSAL). He congratulated the board members and reminded them of GIRSAL's strategic role in transforming the agricultural sector. He also urged them to remain committed to delivering results, as agriculture remains central to government's development agenda. The Board Chairperson, Prof. Richard Jinks Bani, thanked President John Dramani Mahama for the nomination and assured the Minister that the board will work to make agriculture more inclusive. He noted that the members are prepared to serve with integrity and deliver on their mandate. Members of the GIRSAL Board: 1. Prof. Richard Jinks Bani – Chairperson 2. Mr. Nicholas Afrifa – Chief Executive Officer 3. Dr. Kwesi Korboe – Member 4. Ms. Alberta Akosa – Member 5. Mr. Agbesi Kwadzo Dzakpasu – Member 6. Mr. William Wilson Asbleke – Member 7. Ms. Faustina Effah-Boadi – Member Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Finance - Republic of Ghana.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store