On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Rabat hosted the 17th Ministerial Pan-African Forum of the African Training and Research Centre in Administration for Development (CAFRAD). Ahead of the 61st session of its Administrative Council, Benin’s Minister for Budget and Public Service, Rodrigue Chaou, presented his nation’s forward-thinking vision. Through comprehensive digitalization of public services and strategic structural reforms, Cotonou is firmly establishing itself as a beacon of modern governance, committed to transforming its administration into a dynamic engine for economic prosperity.
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. CAFRAD, founded in 1964, stands as the leading intergovernmental institution dedicated to reimagining the continent’s state structures and administrative frameworks.
This year, the forum tackled a significant challenge, focusing its theme on leadership as a crucial catalyst for guiding public action within a VICA(P)D context. This intricate acronym underscores a tangible reality: contemporary administrations must navigate a world defined by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, alongside profound shifts brought about by digital transformation.
For Benin, represented by Mr. Rodrigue Chaou, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance, responsible for Budget and Public Service, this event transcended mere diplomatic protocol. It served as a prime opportunity to benchmark national reforms against continental best practices and to powerfully reaffirm a clear ambition: to leverage public administration as a primary driver for economic competitiveness.
Navigating change: 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, sketched the profile of tomorrow’s public manager. He emphasized that in an unstable environment, rigid, hierarchical bureaucratic methods have reached their limits. 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 current critical concerns by linking political leadership to digital sovereignty. In an era dominated by artificial intelligence and sovereign cloud solutions, the technological independence of African states is no longer optional; it is an essential prerequisite for national security and economic appeal.
The economic dividends of digitalization: Benin’s strategic triumph
« A modern administration is not merely a tool of political prestige; it is the foremost 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 digitalization agenda for its public services. This strategy is rooted in the deep conviction that simplifying administrative procedures drastically cuts transaction costs for businesses and sustainably improves the business climate.
Benin particularly shared its successful journey in the dematerialization of fiscal processes. By streamlining and digitizing tax collection and customs formalities, the nation not only secures its public revenues but also eliminates bureaucratic bottlenecks that historically hindered economic operators.
In a similar vein, the implementation of a single window for business creation now allows for the establishment of a legal entity online in just a few hours. This ease of doing business stimulates 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 bolstering public trust in governmental institutions.
A resilient administration serving its citizens
Beyond macroeconomic productivity gains, Benin’s administrative modernization seeks a direct, positive impact on the daily lives of its citizens. During the discussions in Rabat, digital inclusion was a widely debated topic, emphasizing that digital transformation must not marginalize the most vulnerable segments of society.
For the Beninese government, digitalization is complemented by an active policy of decentralization and enhanced access to essential services. Whether for obtaining civil status certificates, criminal records, or identity documents, the reduction in administrative processing times helps reintegrate citizens into the formal economy and ensures equitable opportunities across the entire territory, from bustling urban centers to the most remote regions.
Eyes on the 61st session of CAFRAD’s administrative council
With the Ministerial Forum just concluded, delegations are already looking ahead to the 61st session of the institution’s Administrative Council. For Minister Rodrigue Chaou and his counterparts, the immediate challenge will be to translate the strategic directions discussed into actionable operational roadmaps.
Member states are expected to review CAFRAD’s activity report, define future training programs for senior African executives, and strengthen South-South cooperation in administrative engineering.
By actively participating in these decision-making bodies, Benin demonstrates that it is not merely adopting governance models but is proactively contributing 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 achieve greater growth.
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