Mali’s Société Malienne de Transmission et de Diffusion (SMTD-SA) and Senegal Numérique (SENUM-SA) have inaugurated the interconnection of their national digital backbones, marking a step towards stronger digital integration in West Africa.
The inauguration took place on 5 October 2026 at the border between the two countries, bringing together institutional representatives, local authorities and technical teams to mark the launch of the cross-border connection.
The interconnection is expected to strengthen network resilience, improve service continuity and facilitate data exchanges between Mali and Senegal. By linking their digital infrastructure, the two countries aim to improve connectivity and support more reliable cross-border digital services.
The initiative is driven by the West African Backbones Network (ROA-BN), chaired by Dr Cheick Oumar Traoré, Director General of SMTD-SA. It supports broader efforts to strengthen regional cooperation and develop digital infrastructure across West Africa.
The connection reflects the wider ambition of building a more integrated and digitally connected West African region, where cross-border infrastructure can facilitate data exchange and strengthen cooperation between countries.
