Benin champions digital governance at the 17th CAFRAD ministerial forum
On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Rabat played host to the 17th Pan-African Ministerial Forum of CAFRAD. Preceding the institution’s 61st Board of Directors session, Benin’s Minister for Budget and Public Service, Rodrigue Chaou, articulated his nation’s forward-thinking vision. Through strategic digitalization of services and comprehensive structural reforms, Cotonou is firmly establishing itself as a prime example of modern governance, committed to transforming its public administration into a robust engine for economic growth.
A pivotal summit for the future of african public services
This high-level gathering convened in the Moroccan capital, a historic nexus for South-South cooperation. Founded in 1964, the African Training and Research Centre in Administration for Development (CAFRAD) remains the preeminent intergovernmental body dedicated to reimagining state structures across the continent.
This year, the forum tackled a formidable challenge, centering its discussions on leadership as a vital catalyst for steering public action within a VICA(P)D context. This intricate acronym encapsulates a tangible reality: administrations must now navigate a world defined by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, alongside the profound shifts brought by digital transformation.
For Benin, represented by Mr. Rodrigue Chaou, the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance, responsible for Budget and Public Service, this meeting transcended mere diplomatic formality. It presented a crucial opportunity to benchmark national reforms against continental best practices and to reaffirm a clear ambition: to position public administration as a key driver of economic competitiveness.
Navigating change: evolving styles of public leadership
The proceedings, which brought together ministers, international experts, and senior officials, featured two seminal theoretical and practical presentations.
The first address, delivered by Dr. Dieudonné Assouvi, CAFRAD’s Director-General, sketched the profile of tomorrow’s public manager. In an unstable environment, rigid, hierarchical bureaucratic methods have demonstrated their limitations. Dr. Assouvi advocated for agile leadership, capable of anticipating economic crises and responding in real-time to ensure state continuity.
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 dominated by artificial intelligence and sovereign cloud solutions, the technological independence of African states is no longer an option but an essential 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 experience sharing, the Beninese delegation effectively showcased its remarkable progress. For several years, Benin has embarked on an accelerated digitalization drive for its public services. This strategy stems from a deep conviction that simplifying administrative procedures drastically reduces transaction costs for businesses and sustainably improves the business climate.
Benin notably shared its successful journey in dematerializing tax procedures. By streamlining and digitizing tax collection and customs formalities, the nation not only secures its public revenues but also eliminates bureaucratic bottlenecks that historically hampered economic operators.
In the same vein, the implementation of a single window for business creation has reduced the time required to establish a legal entity to just a few hours online. This ease of doing business stimulates youth entrepreneurship and attracts foreign direct investment. Furthermore, the transparency fostered by digitalization limits physical interactions between users and agents through online platforms, thereby reducing corruption risks and bolstering citizen trust in their institutions.
A resilient administration serving its citizens
Beyond macroeconomic productivity gains, the administrative modernization championed by Benin aims for a direct positive impact on the daily lives of its population. During the debates in Rabat, the critical issue of digital inclusion was extensively discussed, 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 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 guarantees equal opportunities across the entire territory, from urban centers to the most remote regions.
Charting the course for the 61st CAFRAD board session
With the Ministerial Forum drawing to a close, delegations are already setting their sights on the 61st session of the institution’s Board of Directors. For Minister Rodrigue Chaou and his counterparts, the challenge now lies in translating the strategic directions discussed into actionable operational roadmaps.
Member states will be tasked with evaluating CAFRAD’s activity report, defining future training programs for senior African executives, and strengthening South-South cooperation in administrative engineering.
By actively participating in these decision-making bodies, Benin demonstrates that it does not merely adopt governance models but actively contributes to the co-construction of 21st-century African administration. This sends a powerful message to development partners and international markets: in Cotonou, the state is modernizing to foster greater growth.
