Benin’s digital governance leadership shines at cafrad forum in Rabat

Rabat, Morocco, recently hosted the 17th Pan-African Ministerial Forum of the African Training and Research Centre in Administration (CAFRAD) on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. Ahead of the 61st session of CAFRAD’s Board of Directors, Rodrigue Chaou, Benin’s Minister of Budget and Public Service, presented the nation’s ambitious vision. Through extensive digitalization of services and impactful structural reforms, Cotonou is firmly establishing itself as a prime example of modern governance, dedicated to transforming its public administration into a powerful catalyst for economic growth.

A pivotal summit for the future of african public services

The high-level gathering convened in the Moroccan capital, a city renowned as a historical hub for South-South cooperation. Established in 1964, CAFRAD stands as a leading intergovernmental institution, instrumental in reimagining state structures across the African continent.

This year, the forum tackled a significant challenge, centering its discussions on leadership as a crucial driver for guiding public action within a VICA(P)D environment. This acronym represents the complex reality facing administrations today: a world characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity, and profound digital transformation. For Benin, represented by Minister Rodrigue Chaou, this event transcended mere diplomatic formality. It provided a vital platform to benchmark national reforms against continental best practices and to reaffirm a clear national objective: positioning public administration as a key accelerator of economic competitiveness.

Navigating the storm: new paradigms for public leadership

The proceedings, which brought together ministers, international experts, and senior officials, featured two prominent theoretical and practical presentations.

The first address, delivered by Dr. Dieudonné Assouvi, CAFRAD’s Director General, outlined the profile of tomorrow’s public manager. In an unstable global landscape, rigid, hierarchical bureaucratic methods have proven inadequate. Dr. Assouvi advocated for agile leadership, emphasizing the capacity to anticipate economic crises and respond in real-time to ensure the continuity of state functions.

The second intervention, led by Professor Sehl Mellouli from Laval University in Canada, delved into contemporary concerns by linking political leadership with digital sovereignty. In an era defined by artificial intelligence and sovereign cloud solutions, technological independence for African states is no longer an option but a fundamental prerequisite for national security and economic attractiveness.

The economic dividends of digitalization: Benin’s winning strategy

“A modern administration is not merely a tool for political prestige; it is the primary partner for private investment and wealth creation.”

During the ministerial session dedicated to sharing experiences, the Beninese delegation proudly highlighted its remarkable progress. For several years, Benin has pursued an aggressive strategy of digitizing its public services. This approach is rooted in the deep conviction that simplifying administrative procedures drastically reduces transaction costs for businesses and sustainably improves the overall business climate.

Benin particularly showcased its successful efforts in dematerializing fiscal procedures. By streamlining and digitizing tax collection and customs formalities, the nation is not only securing its public revenues but also eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks that previously hindered economic operators.

In a similar vein, the establishment of a single window for business creation has dramatically cut the time required to register a legal entity to just a few hours online. This efficiency significantly boosts youth entrepreneurship and attracts foreign direct investment. Furthermore, the transparency fostered by digitalization minimizes physical interactions between citizens and agents through online platforms, thereby reducing corruption risks and strengthening public trust in governmental institutions.

A resilient administration serving its citizens

Beyond macroeconomic productivity gains, Benin’s administrative modernization targets a direct, positive impact on the daily lives of its citizens. During the Rabat discussions, the crucial issue of digital inclusion was thoroughly debated, underscoring that digital transformation must not exclude society’s most vulnerable segments.

For the Beninese government, digitalization is complemented by an active policy of decentralization and enhanced access to essential services. Whether it involves obtaining civil status records, criminal records, or identity documents, the reduction in administrative processing times helps reintegrate citizens into the formal economy and ensures equal opportunities across the entire territory, from urban centers to the most remote regions.

Setting sights on cafrad’s 61st board of directors session

With the Ministerial Forum concluded, delegations are already looking forward to the 61st session of CAFRAD’s Board of Directors. For Minister Rodrigue Chaou and his counterparts, the immediate challenge will be translating the strategic directions discussed into actionable operational roadmaps.

Member states are expected to review CAFRAD’s activity report, define future training programs for high-ranking African executives, and strengthen South-South cooperation in administrative engineering. By actively participating in these decision-making bodies, Benin demonstrates its commitment not just to adopting governance models, but to actively co-constructing the African administration of the 21st century. This sends a powerful message to development partners and international markets: in Cotonou, the state is modernizing to foster greater growth.