Senegal bolsters AI development with launch of ALIVE and DiCentre4AI laboratories

Senegal has taken a major step towards establishing itself as a leader in artificial intelligence innovation with the launch of the ALIVE and DiCentre4AI laboratories. The initiative, part of the AI4D (Artificial Intelligence for Development) program, was spearheaded by Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD) and the Cheikh Hamidou Kane Digital University (UN-CHK).

The launch ceremony saw the participation of Alioune Sall, Minister of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Affairs, alongside Dr. El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, and Dr. Mabouba Diagne, Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock. The establishment of these AI-focused research centers aligns with Senegal’s broader digital transformation strategy, which prioritizes data production and utilization as key drivers for technological advancement. By fostering an ecosystem conducive to AI research and application, the government aims to position Senegal as a continental hub for AI-driven solutions.

Alioune Sall, Minister of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Affairs

The New Deal for Technology, championed by the government, aims to elevate Senegal as a leader in AI across Africa. The strategy focuses on ensuring universal and affordable internet access to enable widespread participation in the digital economy, developing robust infrastructure to support AI research and innovation, and providing access to computing resources and AI tools to drive responsible and inclusive technological progress. By integrating AI into various sectors, including agriculture, education, and industry, Senegal seeks to unlock new economic opportunities and drive sustainable development.

During the launch, Minister Alioune Sall emphasized the critical role of partnerships in achieving digital sovereignty. He highlighted the need for collaboration with global technology providers to empower the national private sector through skill transfer programs to build local expertise in AI and emerging technologies, technological risk management to ensure secure and ethical AI deployment, and reducing dependency on foreign digital solutions while fostering homegrown AI innovations tailored to Senegal’s socio-economic needs.