Publication
This article investigates the inuence of digital technologies on youth participation in urban governance within the Global South, with a specic focus on Saint-Louis, Senegal. Rapid urbanization in developing countries has intensied the need for inclusive governance, especially as youth constitute a signicant portion of the urban population. This study examines how access to digital tools such as smartphones, internet connectivity, and social media shapes youth engagement in local decision-making processes. A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving a sample of 549 youth, of whom 55% were under the age of 20. Quantitative surveys with youth were complemented by qualitative interviews with key local governance actors and spatial mapping of digital infrastructure. The ndings reveal substantial disparities in digital access and planning across neighborhoods. While 90% of the Northern districts and Guet Ndar exhibit high levels of digital infrastructure and urban planning, areas like Bango (65%) and Pikine (50%) remain predominantly informal and under-resourced. Notably, digital connectivity in Guet Ndar is overwhelmingly mobile-based (83%), highlighting the centrality of mobile data as the primary access point. However, local government initiatives to enhance digital inclusion remain limited, with only 4% of respondents identifying concrete efforts by municipal authorities. The study underscores the urgent need to address infrastructural gaps and to foster participatory governance frameworks that enable meaningful youth inclusion. It advocates for targeted policy interventions to create a more equitable digital environment, enhancing civic engagement and governance outcomes in rapidly urbanizing contexts. By situating the case of Saint-Louis within broader Sub-Saharan dynamics, the article offers insights into how digital inclusion can act as a lever for sustainable urban governance in the Global South.