Qualcomm, FHI, partners with Senegal to improves lives of fisheries sector
In a statement Qualcomm Incorporated along with FHI 360 announced that the Senegalese government will officially adopt their Wireless Solutions for Fisheries in Senegal (WISE); this project will later be expanded nationwide.
WISE uses advanced wireless technologies to improve the lives and livelihoods of Senegal’s fisheries sector. Following its adoption, Senegal’s fishers and fish processors have reported a jump in their annual income by an average of $300 to $400 (XOF 176,923 to 235,400).
Senegal’s Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy (MENT), which sets the country’s fisheries and aquaculture policies has also announced its plans to institutionalize the WISE platform and expand it nationwide.
The WISE platform will provide services and resources to 52,000 fishers and 20,000 women fish processors across the country and will play a pivotal role in advancing the government’s strategy for job creation and increase the GDP by leveraging digital technology.
“The WISE project contributes to the sustainable management of fisheries and improves the safety and security of artisanal fishermen and the income of actors through digital solutions,” said the Senegal Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy.
“The project’s comprehensive web portal and mobile application improves the competitive advantage of small-scale fishers and fish processors by increasing fish catch, quality, and quantity of fish processing; aiding in the safety and of fishers; and promoting sustainable fishing practices. The WISE App digitizes daily information on fish market prices, weather forecasts, navigation resources, microfinance and health insurance calculators, and information on fishing and fish processing best practices.”
“WISE aligns itself with the Digital Senegal Strategy SN2025 in its Axis 4 entitled “[t]he diffusion of digital in the economic sectors” and stimulates the economic growth of the country by supporting the digitalization of the fishing sector,” said Senegal’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Telecommunications.
Currently WISE is deployed in Senegal’s major fish landing and processing sites including Joal, Joal-Khelkom, Mbour, Mballing, Pencum-Senegal and Dakar-Hann.
The collaboration between Qualcomm Incorporated, FHI 360 and the Senegalese government has supported more than 200 low- income economic interest groups, 6,500 fishers and fish processors, just by providing them smartphones and 3G/4G internet access to enable them to use WISE services.
“WISE contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals by improving the income of small- scale fishermen and fish processors, increasing women’s access to technology and supporting the sustainable use of marine resources,” said Berhane Gebru, Technical Advisor for Digital Development and project director for WISE at FHI 360.
He went on to add, “Fish processors have achieved a ten-fold increase in their processing capacity, from 100kg to 1,000kg of fish per month per person. With the expansion to the whole country, we hope to see continued success.”
Earlier, the lack of “timely access to fish prices, weather information and navigational resources, limited access to financial services, and exposure to higher health risks had hampered the economic growth of these entrepreneurs”.
“Since 2014, the digital transformation of the fishing sector through WISE has helped ensure the safety, well-being and financial outlook of thousands so far,” said Elizabeth Migwalla, Vice President, International Government Affairs, Qualcomm International, Inc. “We are excited to see the impacts of greater economic and food security as the program reaches a broader group of fishermen and fish processers.”
WISE is a collaboration between Qualcomm Wireless Reach, FHI 360, the Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Economy, the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, the Senegalese Food Security Commission, Intermondes and Free Senegal.
About Qualcomm
Qualcomm is one of the world’s biggest wireless technology innovator and a driving force behind the development, launch, and expansion of mobile technologies including 5G technology.
Today, these foundational technologies are the bedrock of the mobile ecosystem and are found in every 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G smartphone.
The company continues to research new wireless technologies to the benefit of new industries, including computing, automotive, and internet of things (IoT), to bring about seamless communication across sectors and industries in our lives.
About the Wireless Reach Initiative
Wireless Reach invests in sustainable programs that demonstrate innovative uses of wireless technology to strengthen economic and social development on a global scale. Its programs foster entrepreneurship, enable public safety, enhances the delivery of healthcare, enrich teaching and learning, and improve environmental sustainability.
Since 2006, more than 20 million people have benefitted from Wireless Reach.
Qualcomm and Wireless Reach are trademarks or registered trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated.
About FHI 360
FHI 360 is a non-profit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in myriad ways by embracing integrated locally driven solutions. Its resource persons include experts in education, health, nutrition, economic development, civil society, environment, gender, youth, research, and technology.
FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories
WISE uses advanced wireless technologies to improve the lives and livelihoods of Senegal’s fisheries sector. Following its adoption, Senegal’s fishers and fish processors have reported a jump in their annual income by an average of $300 to $400 (XOF 176,923 to 235,400).
Senegal’s Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy (MENT), which sets the country’s fisheries and aquaculture policies has also announced its plans to institutionalize the WISE platform and expand it nationwide.
The WISE platform will provide services and resources to 52,000 fishers and 20,000 women fish processors across the country and will play a pivotal role in advancing the government’s strategy for job creation and increase the GDP by leveraging digital technology.
“The WISE project contributes to the sustainable management of fisheries and improves the safety and security of artisanal fishermen and the income of actors through digital solutions,” said the Senegal Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy.
“The project’s comprehensive web portal and mobile application improves the competitive advantage of small-scale fishers and fish processors by increasing fish catch, quality, and quantity of fish processing; aiding in the safety and of fishers; and promoting sustainable fishing practices. The WISE App digitizes daily information on fish market prices, weather forecasts, navigation resources, microfinance and health insurance calculators, and information on fishing and fish processing best practices.”
“WISE aligns itself with the Digital Senegal Strategy SN2025 in its Axis 4 entitled “[t]he diffusion of digital in the economic sectors” and stimulates the economic growth of the country by supporting the digitalization of the fishing sector,” said Senegal’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Telecommunications.
Currently WISE is deployed in Senegal’s major fish landing and processing sites including Joal, Joal-Khelkom, Mbour, Mballing, Pencum-Senegal and Dakar-Hann.
The collaboration between Qualcomm Incorporated, FHI 360 and the Senegalese government has supported more than 200 low- income economic interest groups, 6,500 fishers and fish processors, just by providing them smartphones and 3G/4G internet access to enable them to use WISE services.
“WISE contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals by improving the income of small- scale fishermen and fish processors, increasing women’s access to technology and supporting the sustainable use of marine resources,” said Berhane Gebru, Technical Advisor for Digital Development and project director for WISE at FHI 360.
He went on to add, “Fish processors have achieved a ten-fold increase in their processing capacity, from 100kg to 1,000kg of fish per month per person. With the expansion to the whole country, we hope to see continued success.”
Earlier, the lack of “timely access to fish prices, weather information and navigational resources, limited access to financial services, and exposure to higher health risks had hampered the economic growth of these entrepreneurs”.
“Since 2014, the digital transformation of the fishing sector through WISE has helped ensure the safety, well-being and financial outlook of thousands so far,” said Elizabeth Migwalla, Vice President, International Government Affairs, Qualcomm International, Inc. “We are excited to see the impacts of greater economic and food security as the program reaches a broader group of fishermen and fish processers.”
WISE is a collaboration between Qualcomm Wireless Reach, FHI 360, the Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Economy, the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, the Senegalese Food Security Commission, Intermondes and Free Senegal.
About Qualcomm
Qualcomm is one of the world’s biggest wireless technology innovator and a driving force behind the development, launch, and expansion of mobile technologies including 5G technology.
Today, these foundational technologies are the bedrock of the mobile ecosystem and are found in every 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G smartphone.
The company continues to research new wireless technologies to the benefit of new industries, including computing, automotive, and internet of things (IoT), to bring about seamless communication across sectors and industries in our lives.
About the Wireless Reach Initiative
Wireless Reach invests in sustainable programs that demonstrate innovative uses of wireless technology to strengthen economic and social development on a global scale. Its programs foster entrepreneurship, enable public safety, enhances the delivery of healthcare, enrich teaching and learning, and improve environmental sustainability.
Since 2006, more than 20 million people have benefitted from Wireless Reach.
Qualcomm and Wireless Reach are trademarks or registered trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated.
About FHI 360
FHI 360 is a non-profit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in myriad ways by embracing integrated locally driven solutions. Its resource persons include experts in education, health, nutrition, economic development, civil society, environment, gender, youth, research, and technology.
FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories
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