On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Rabat hosted the 17th Pan-African Ministerial Forum of CAFRAD. Preceding the 61st session of the Board of Directors, Bénin’s Minister of Budget and Public Service, Rodrigue Chaou, unveiled the nation’s ambitious vision. Through a blend of service digitalization and strategic structural reforms, Cotonou is firmly establishing itself as a beacon of modern governance, committed to transforming its public administration into a potent engine for economic prosperity.
A pivotal summit for the future of African public services
This high-level gathering commenced in the Moroccan capital, a historic nexus for South-South cooperation. Established in 1964, the African Training and Research Centre in Administration for Development (CAFRAD) remains the preeminent intergovernmental body dedicated to reimagining the continent’s state structures.
This year, the forum tackled a significant challenge, focusing its theme on leadership as a critical catalyst for guiding public action within a VICA(P)D context. This intricate acronym underscores a tangible reality: administrations must now navigate a world marked by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, alongside the profound shifts brought by digital transformation.
For Bénin, represented by Mr. Rodrigue Chaou, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance, responsible for Budget and Public Service, this assembly transcended mere diplomatic formality. It presented a crucial opportunity to benchmark national reforms against continental best practices and to reassert a clear aspiration: to forge public administration into a primary driver of economic competitiveness.
Navigating the storm: new paradigms in public leadership
The proceedings, which convened ministers, international experts, and senior officials, centered on two seminal theoretical and practical presentations.
The initial address, delivered by Dr. Dieudonné Assouvi, CAFRAD’s Director-General, painted a portrait of the public manager of tomorrow. In an unstable environment, rigid, hierarchical bureaucratic methods have revealed 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 to digital sovereignty. In an era defined by artificial intelligence and sovereign cloud solutions, the technological independence of African states is no longer optional but an indispensable condition for national security and economic appeal.
The economic dividend of digitalization: Bénin’s winning strategy
“A modern administration is not merely a symbol of political prestige; it is the foremost partner for private investment and wealth creation.”
During the ministerial session dedicated to sharing experiences, the Béninese delegation effectively showcased its remarkable progress. For several years, Bénin has embarked on an accelerated digitalization of its public services. This strategy is rooted in the profound conviction that streamlining administrative processes dramatically reduces transaction costs for businesses and sustainably improves the business climate.
Bénin notably shared its successful journey in the dematerialization of fiscal procedures. By simplifying and digitizing tax collection and customs formalities, the nation is securing its public revenues while eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks that previously hindered economic operators.
In the same vein, the implementation of a single window for business creation now allows for the establishment of a legal entity in just a few hours online. This ease stimulates youth entrepreneurship and attracts foreign direct investment. Furthermore, the transparency fostered by digitalization minimizes physical interactions between users and agents through online platforms, thereby reducing corruption risks and strengthening citizen trust in their institutions.
A resilient administration serving its citizens
Beyond macroeconomic productivity gains, Bénin’s administrative modernization aims for a direct positive impact on citizens’ daily lives. During discussions in Rabat, the issue of digital inclusion was extensively debated, emphasizing that digital transformation must not marginalize the most vulnerable segments of society.
For the Béninese government, digitalization is complemented by an active policy of decentralization and enhanced access to essential services. Whether 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.
Charting the course for CAFRAD’s 61st Board session
With the Ministerial Forum concluded, delegations are already looking ahead to the institution’s 61st Board of Directors session. For Minister Rodrigue Chaou and his counterparts, the challenge will now be to translate the strategic directions discussed into operational roadmaps.
Member states will particularly focus on reviewing CAFRAD’s activity report, defining future training programs for high-level African executives, and strengthening South-South cooperation in administrative engineering.
By actively participating in these decision-making bodies, Bénin demonstrates that it does not merely import governance models but actively contributes to the co-creation 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.