Benin has launched a consultative process to draft a new national digital transformation strategy covering the period through 2031, as the West African country seeks to deepen internet access, expand e-government services and harness emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Public and private sector stakeholders met in Cotonou on February 5 and 6 for a strategic workshop that officially marked the start of work on the medium-term digital roadmap, authorities said.
Discussions focused on extending internet coverage nationwide, modernising public administration through digital services, and accelerating the deployment of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, in sectors seen as having strong growth potential. Participants also examined how to better align digital skills with labour market needs and explored financing mechanisms required to implement the future strategy.
The new roadmap builds on reforms launched since 2016, which have significantly reshaped Benin’s digital landscape. Over the past decade, the government has rolled out more than 3,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure, expanded national connectivity and strengthened digital public administration.
Key achievements include the establishment of a National Register of Natural Persons and the launch of more than 250 digital public services, ranging from administrative procedures to business-related platforms. These reforms have helped position Benin among Africa’s leading performers in digital governance.
In 2025, the country ranked among the continent’s top performers in the World Bank’s GovTech Maturity Index, alongside Algeria, South Africa and Nigeria, reflecting progress in digital public service delivery and institutional frameworks.
Despite these advances, authorities acknowledge that major challenges remain. Internet access gaps persist in parts of the country, particularly in rural and remote areas. The adoption of digital public services by segments of the population remains uneven, while the integration of artificial intelligence into the broader economy is still at an early stage.
Officials say the forthcoming strategy aims to address these shortcomings by consolidating existing reforms and accelerating digital inclusion. The goal is to transform the digital sector into a sustainable driver of economic growth, job creation and structural transformation by 2031.
The roadmap is expected to set out clear priorities, governance arrangements and funding mechanisms to guide Benin’s digital ambitions over the next six years, as competition intensifies across Africa to attract technology investment and build resilient digital economies.
Authorities have not yet announced a timeline for finalising and adopting the strategy, but said consultations with stakeholders would continue in the coming months.
Background to AI in Benin
Benin’s engagement with artificial intelligence (AI) is still at an early stage but is increasingly shaped by the country’s broader digital transformation agenda launched in 2016. Over the past decade, the government has focused on building foundational digital infrastructure, modernising public administration and expanding internet connectivity key prerequisites for the development and adoption of AI technologies.
The rollout of more than 3,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure and the digitisation of public services have created large administrative datasets, particularly through platforms such as the National Register of Natural Persons. These data systems provide an essential base for future AI-driven applications in identity management, public service delivery and planning.
AI has so far been used mainly in pilot projects and sector-specific applications rather than at scale. In public administration, authorities have explored the use of automation and data analytics to improve service efficiency, fraud detection and decision-making. In health and agriculture, small-scale initiatives have tested AI-enabled tools for disease surveillance, crop monitoring and climate-related risk assessment, often supported by development partners and international organisations.
Benin’s private AI ecosystem remains modest but is gradually emerging. A small number of local startups and innovation hubs are working on data analytics, machine learning and digital solutions tailored to local needs, particularly in fintech, agritech and e-commerce. Most advanced AI tools used in the country are imported or embedded in global platforms rather than developed locally.
