Cheikh Ahmadoul Khadim Toure is Head of Wholesale Marketing and Strategy at Sonatel Group, leading digital transformation for telecom operators across West Africa. With over 15 years’ expertise in digital infrastructure and public-private partnerships, he also specializes in sector regulation and digital inclusion.
He defended his Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) in October 2025 at Business Science Institute, researching “The Dynamics of Digitization in the Public Sector: Opportunities, Challenges, and Issues? Case of Senegal”. Under the supervision of Professor Pierre-Jean Benghozi (CNRS – École Polytechnique, Paris), his thesis proposes a renewed strategic framework through inclusive reforms and government-private-citizen partnerships.
Thesis Direction
Prof Benghozi Pierre-Jean
Thesis Title
The dynamics of digitisation in the public sector: opportunities, issues and challenges? The case of Senegal
Abstract
This thesis explores the dynamics of public administration digitization in Senegal through the various national strategies implemented over several decades to modernize the state via digital technologies. From the adoption of the National IT Master Plan in 1979 to the “Digital Senegal 2025 ” initiative, including numerous sectoral programs and public-private partnerships, the country has made sustained efforts to integrate technology into public governance.
Despite notable progress particularly in service digitization and financial inclusion driven by FinTech and structural challenges remain, such as the digital divide, fragmented governance, reliance on external funding, and limited digital skills within the public sector.
Using a qualitative approach that combines eighty-three stakeholder interviews, five case studies, international benchmarking, and policy document analysis, this research assesses the impact of digital transformation on the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of public services. It also identifies the technical, human, and financial barriers that need to be addressed.
The thesis proposes strategic recommendations structured around four key pillars: integrated digital governance, inclusive infrastructure, targeted training, and the development of sovereign innovation.
It concludes by emphasizing the need for a “Technological New Deal ” that is continually evaluated, adapted to Senegal’s realities, grounded in structural reforms, social inclusion, and balanced partnerships between the state, the private sector, and civil society.