ICT and outsourcing

<p>The inclusion of Senegal into the Digital Economy is a priority set out in the national development framework strategy, the Plan Senegal Emergent. In this context, the Senegal Num&eacute;rique 2025 strategy is meant to accelerate the roll out of internet infrastructure and of its usage. Moreover, the country has engaged into the construction of an ambitious technology park and is developing a tax-friendly policy to attract FDI in the sector. These efforts should leave to the creation of 35,000 jobs in Senegal&rsquo;s digital economy by 2025.</p><p>The purpose of the Netherlands Trust Fund Programme IV (NTF IV) in Senegal is to support the internationalisation of the local IT/ITES SMEs and startups through:</p><ol><li><p>strategic, inter-ministerial coordination, an IT &amp; ITES export-development strategy, and positioning of Senegal on the global IT &amp; ITES market;</p></li><li><p>the strengthening of OPTIC, the sector association, as a provider of export advisory and training benefiting its current and future members;</p></li><li><p>the capacity building of companies in export marketing planning and sales; mobilizing the Senegalese network of foreign trade representatives (FTR) to promote IT &amp; ITES trade opportunities to complement the work done in the area of investment promotion; and</p></li><li><p>the development of new markets jointly with Senegal&rsquo;s main TPO, ASEPEX, and OPTIC, using an approach already applied under NTF III in Bangladesh, Kenya and Uganda.</p></li></ol>

<p>The NTF IV Uganda aims at supporting the internationalization of IT &amp; ITES SMEs, and it seeks to influence policy makers and regulators, Trade and Investment Support Institutions and private trade/business support providers, as well as international private sector market partners in creating a supportive environment for enterprises in IT and IT enabled services sector.</p><p>The intermediary outcomes of NTF IV are as follow:</p><ul><li>Policy makers and regulators monitor and coordinate the implementation of the endorsed Sector Export Plan and Country Marketing Plan in the IT&amp;ITES sector.</li><li>TISIs (ATIS, ICTAU) extend and improve their export-related services for IT&amp;ITES businesses.</li><li>SME and start-up company owners/managers implement business decisions that raise their competitiveness.</li><li>Beneficiary companies and supported private sector associations develop international linkages and build partnerships.</li></ul>