The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (ARCOP) is launching the experimental phase of the digital platform Public Procurement in Electronic Procedures (APPEL), at the heart of the State's New Technology Deal. As of August 24, 2025, this innovation aims to completely dematerialize public procurement for greater efficiency and transparency. In this interview with Seneweb, Babacar Khaly Diagne, head of the dematerialization program at ARCOP, deciphers the platform's interoperability, its benefits for SMEs, the KPIs generated, and support strategies for a successful transition.

How does the APPEL platform ensure seamless interoperability with existing systems such as the DGID, the DGD and the Treasury, and what measures have been taken to ensure the security and reliability of data exchanges between these systems?

The APPEL platform was designed to integrate seamlessly into the government's digital ecosystem. It relies on a secure interoperability infrastructure that facilitates automated data exchange with public systems. To date, the interconnection with the ANSD is already operational, and that with IPRES and CSS is being finalized. With the ANSD, the platform automatically verifies companies' NINEA upon registration, thus guaranteeing the authenticity of their identification. With IPRES, it automatically verifies social information, eliminating the need to produce paper certificates. At the same time, technical studies preparatory to the interconnection with the DGID and the Public Treasury are underway. The latter are part of the same dynamic of modernizing and overhauling their information systems, to ultimately enable full integration with the APPEL platform. Technically, APPEL uses encrypted APIs that comply with international standards, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and traceability of exchanges. Finally, regular intrusion tests and security audits will be conducted with specialists to ensure the system's resilience against cyber threats.

The press release mentions a 40% reduction in access costs for SMEs. What specific mechanisms (e.g., simplified interfaces, training, or subsidies) have been integrated into APPEL to ensure that small businesses, often less technologically equipped, can effectively participate in digital calls for tenders?

One of APPEL's major objectives is to democratize SMEs' access to public procurement. All information relating to calls for tenders is published online, and files can be consulted free of charge. SMEs can submit their bids entirely online, without paper or travel. The bid opening process is automated, and the system directly transmits the opening minutes to the relevant parties, ensuring speed and transparency. This complete dematerialization significantly reduces costs and logistical constraints, while ensuring fairness and security. It is accompanied by simplified interfaces, an intuitive dashboard, a user guide, and dedicated technical support, as well as support and training to help companies familiarize themselves with the platform. This approach also makes it easier to monitor SMEs' progress in public procurement, allowing them to benefit from the advantages provided for by the regulations. Even companies with limited technological resources can now easily and quickly participate in public procurement. All you need is a computer and an internet connection to submit an offer.

The platform automatically generates KPIs. Can you detail the main indicators tracked and explain how they are used to optimize procurement processes and assess the real impact of digitization?

Unlike the old system, which only provided overall statistics on planned and awarded contracts (in number, value, by type of award, and by contract category), APPEL is completely data-driven. The platform automatically generates detailed KPIs (key performance indicators) in the various dashboards, such as the number and value of contracts by sector and by type of contracting authority, average award and execution times, participation rates by company profile, tax and social compliance and regularity indicators, and savings achieved. Coupled with Business Intelligence (BI) engines and artificial intelligence models, APPEL will enable the administration to: analyze the status of public procurement in real time; anticipate future trends and needs; detect anomalies and fraud risks; train AI models on historical data to automatically evolve the platform and improve decision-making; and optimize public policies while strengthening transparency. Thanks to these innovations, APPEL transforms public procurement management into an intelligent and predictive system, where data becomes a strategic lever for the administration and all economic players.

The press release highlights a reduction in disputes thanks to transparency and traceability. What specific features of the APPEL platform help minimize disputes, and how do you manage potential disputes related to contract awards?

APPEL is based on the fundamental principle of complete traceability of the procurement process, from publication to award. Each action (bid submission, opening, evaluation, notification) is time-stamped, electronically signed, and recorded in a tamper-proof audit log. The platform transmits and publishes all administrative acts (notices, minutes, decisions) online, considerably reducing the areas of opacity that often lead to disputes. Thanks to the regulatory-compliant configuration, many points are automatically verified by the system: procurement methods used, criteria, deadlines, deadlines, completeness of documents, compliance of tender documents. This means that most disputes related to form will no longer arise, and litigation will focus solely on the substance, if necessary. To manage disputes related to awards, APPEL provides an electronic appeal module: bidders can directly refer the matter to the ARCOP Dispute Settlement Committee (CRD) after an informal appeal to the contracting authority, with automatic management of deadlines and automatic transmission of the entire time-stamped file, including offers, evaluations and opening minutes. This allows for rapid, secure and transparent processing of all disputes related to the merits. This transparency and automation will significantly reduce the number of disputes, while strengthening the system's confidence and credibility among economic stakeholders.

With full deployment planned by the end of 2026, what strategies are being put in place to support the cultural transition of administrations and businesses towards fully dematerialized public procurement, and how do you assess stakeholder buy-in during this pilot phase?

The complete dematerialization of public procurement is not just a technological project: it is a major cultural and organizational transformation for the administration and the private sector. To support this change, a national support program has been developed around the APPEL platform, designed in a modular and scalable manner, to allow for gradual appropriation by public and private stakeholders. The pilot phase, which begins immediately after the official launch on the 14th, involves 50 selected contracting authorities, representing the diversity of the administrative landscape: ministries, local authorities, public institutions, agencies, and national companies. This phase will serve as a laboratory to refine the modules, adjust processes, and consolidate the platform before its generalization to all 809 contracting authorities. A massive training plan is currently being deployed, providing for the training of more than 2,000 public officials and 5,000 economic operators by the end of 2026, via face-to-face sessions, regional workshops, and webinars. These training courses aim to strengthen digital skills, harmonize practices, and support the shift toward fully electronic management. National campaigns will be conducted with chambers of commerce, employers' organizations, and the media to promote digital culture and reassure users. A support center, supported by a 24-hour technical hotline and a dedicated platform, will provide ongoing support, with each authority benefiting from a digital contact. A participatory evaluation mechanism—satisfaction surveys, monitoring committees, and quarterly reviews—will enable continuous adjustments. By the end of 2026, the ambition is clear: zero paper, zero unnecessary travel, and 100% digital trust in Senegalese public procurement.