Grand Magal of Touba 2027: which network holds up in the crowd
The Magal is expected around 23 July 2027. The regulator's tests at the 2026 Magal ranked Orange first, Yas second and Expresso far behind. What that means for the diaspora travelling home.
The Grand Magal of Touba is expected around Friday 23 July 2027, the 18th of Safar 1449, depending on the sighting of the moon. The 2026 Magal fell on 2 August and drew between 5.1 and nearly 7 million people, according to the organising committee and the national news agency.
Many of them are the Senegalese diaspora from France, Italy and Spain, travelling home with a European phone plan, and Senegal is far outside European roaming.
How the networks held up in 2026
Senegal's telecom regulator, ARTP, tested the three networks along the Dakar to Touba highway and in Touba and Mbacké from 31 July to 3 August 2026:
| Network | Data reliability | Voice |
|---|---|---|
| Orange | 94.8% | 99.03% of calls connected |
| Yas (formerly Free) | 90.72% | intermediate, varying by area |
| Expresso | 63.81% | frequent blocked calls |
Our Senegal eSIM connects to Yas, the network that was called Free until November 2024. The test puts it second, clearly ahead of Expresso and a few points behind Orange. It is the honest picture: expect Yas to work most of the time, with more slowdowns than Orange at the busiest moments.
If you are coming from Europe
A French, Italian or Spanish phone plan in Senegal pays international roaming prices, which can be high per megabyte. Two practical options:
- A local SIM, if you have time on arrival: identification is mandatory, and foreigners outside West Africa need a passport. Unregistered SIMs were cut off from 31 March 2025.
- A travel eSIM, installed at home, that works from the moment you land in Dakar, while your European number stays in the phone for bank codes.
During the Magal
- Save offline maps of Touba and the route from Dakar.
- Share your live location with family before joining the crowd around the Great Mosque.
- Send voice notes rather than calls at the busiest hours.
- Carry a power bank, because the phone works harder in a crowd.
Quick answers
When is the Grand Magal 2027?
Expected around 23 July 2027, the 18th of Safar 1449, depending on the moon.
Which network is best in Touba during the Magal?
In the regulator's 2026 tests, Orange scored best, Yas second and Expresso last.
Is Free Senegal the same as Yas?
Yes. Free Sénégal was renamed Yas in November 2024.
Sources: ARTP tests via Social Net Link (10 August 2026), Senegal24News (August 2026), Magal-Touba.org (15 July 2026), Social Net Link (27 November 2024), Agence Ecofin (March 2025). Checked 21 September 2026.