馃嚫馃嚦SenegalWest Africa
Sonatel ordered to pay 119.1 million CFA francs in interest to Interface SAS and Magatte Sylla
via SeneNews2 min read
Sonatel, a telecommunications operator, has been ordered by the Miscellaneous Disputes Chamber of the Dakar Commercial Court to pay 119.1 million CFA francs in legal interest to Interface SAS and its promoter, Magatte Sylla. This amount covers the period from February 22, 2023, to June 20, 2025. This decision is part of an ongoing legal dispute concerning an accusation of patent infringement. Interface SAS claims that Sonatel exploited a technological process, developed under the "Beinday" brand and protected by the African Intellectual Property Organization OAPI, without authorization in its "My Business Wifi" offering. Interface SAS alleges that this process was presented to Sonatel under a confidentiality agreement. The case previously saw the Banking, Insurance, and Intellectual Property Disputes Chamber of the Dakar Commercial Court find Sonatel liable in February 2023, ordering the company to pay 1.1 billion CFA francs, including 600 million for loss of earnings and 500 million for personal damages to Magatte Sylla and Interface SAS. The court also ordered the cessation of the disputed service's operation and rejected Sonatel's request to annul the patent. Following the initial judgment, Interface SAS initiated enforcement procedures, including seizures of Sonatel's bank accounts. The Dakar Court of Appeal confirmed the judgment on May 23, 2025, leading to further attachment seizures by Interface SAS and Magatte Sylla, valued at over 1.24 billion CFA francs. Sonatel con
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