The Senegalese government has a history of shutting down social media and the internet to control protests, including in 2021, 2023, and early 2024.

To help people in Senegal stay connected, Project Gateway Senegal will test and deploy SMS Without Borders (SWOB) technology, another OTF-supported project.  Often during shutdowns, the use of SMS messages remains intact. With SWOB, individuals can send these messages to special gateways (located in an area with connectivity) that route them to the intended online service. These gateways bridge communications between online platforms and off-line devices, ensuring reporting on human rights abuses by repressive actors during network disruptions and other vital communications can continue.

Project Gateway Senegal will test and deploy an SMS gateway client to support communications and access to key internet services in the event of a potential shutdown in Senegal. They’re mobilizing civil society and the private sector to train, disseminate, and propagate the SWOB solution. The target users are local CSOs, activists, humanitarian workers, freelance journalists, and media houses across five regions in Senegal.

For SWOB to be active in a country, gateway clients that can route SMS messages need to be deployed.  Interested in hosting a gateway client in Senegal or for your own country? Please contact [email protected] or visit: https://smswithoutborders.com/

Download the SWOB app