Senegal has recently set up a data centre in the city of Diamniadio and the President of the Republic has instructed the Government and all State structures to host the State's data and platforms in this infrastructure.

Senegal has a telecommunications authority: The Telecommunications and Postal Regulatory Authority (ARTP). However, it is reported that this entity is not fully independent.

There is a licensing requirement for companies operating in the telecommunications sector under Chapter 2 of Title 2 of the Law No. 2018-28 of 28 November 2018 on the Electronic Communications Code. No strict or discriminatory conditions exist for foreign companies, however, it is reported that in practice, the unevenness and non-transparency in the delivery of 3G and 4G services are a source of permanent unbalance in the competitive market. The basis for determining the level of fees is unclear, and operators consider them to be high compared to other neighbouring countries.
It is reported that the Government of Senegal acted contrary to international best practice in 2016 by awarding 4G spectrum through direct negotiations after incumbent operators appeared to have agreed to jointly boycott an open tender, arguing that the price of FCFA 30 billion (equivalent to around USD 52 million) for a 20-year concession was excessive. The report also indicates that the government apparently chose to bypass the Authority (ARTP) by resorting to direct bilateral negotiations with Sonatel to renew its global licence (fixed and mobile), including the extension of its scope to roll out a 4G network. ARTP does not appear to have been involved in this process, which resulted in Sonatel acquiring a 17-year 4G licence for FCFA 32 billion (approximately USD 55 million).

Senegal has appended the World Trade Organization (WTO) Telecom Reference Paper to its schedule of commitments.

It is reported that the Government holds a minority stake (27%) in Sonatel-Orange Senegal, the country's largest Internet and mobile communications provider.

It is reported that Senegal mandates functional and accounting separation for operators with significant market power (SMP) in the telecom market.

Senegal does not have comprehensive trade secret legislation. Yet, there are provisions addressing disclosure, acquisition or use of confidential information in the course of industrial or commercial activities by third parties in Art. 6 of Annex VIII of the Bangui Agreement ratified by 17 French-speaking States, including Senegal since 2002.

It is reported that there is an obligation for passive infrastructure sharing in Senegal to deliver telecom services to end users. It is practiced in the mobile sector and in the fixed sector based on commercial agreements.

Senegal has ratified the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Performances and Phonograms Treaty.

Senegal has ratified the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty.

The Revised Bangui Agreement is a regional intellectual property law that is not only a regional convention applicable in all member states but also serves as a national intellectual property law in Senegal and each of the other member states. The Revised Bangui Agreement contains provisions on copyright in Annex VII: Chapter IV (Limitations to Economic Rights) and establishes a clear regime of copyright exceptions, which enables the lawful use of copyrighted work by others without obtaining permission. In addition, Arts. 38-46 of Law No. 2008-09 also provide for limitations on copyrights.

It is reported that copyright is not adequately enforced online in Senegal. It is reported that the rate of unlicensed software installation in the country was 74% in 2017 (above the 56% rate of the Middle Eastern and African countries), for an estimated commercial value of USD 12 million.

Senegal is a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

According to the Bangui Agreement, ratified by 17 French-speaking States, including Senegal, applicants resident outside the territory of the member States must file through an agent selected in one of those member States (Section III, Art. 8). The professional status of agent accredited to the African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI) is governed by the Regulations on the profession of Authorised Agent before the OAPI.

There is a screening of investments in the telecommunications sector through licensing requirements by the regulatory authority. Among the requirements laid down in the Electronic Communications Code for approval or licensing are, for example, national defence and public safety requirements.