Rabat hosted the 17th Pan-African Ministerial Forum of CAFRAD on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. Ahead of the 61st session of the Board of Directors, Benin’s Minister for Budget and Public Service, Rodrigue Chaou, presented the nation’s ambitious vision. Through extensive digitalization of services and impactful structural reforms, Cotonou is firmly establishing itself as a beacon 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 city renowned as a historic crossroads for South-South cooperation. The African Training and Research Centre in Administration for Development (CAFRAD), founded in 1964, remains the seminal intergovernmental institution dedicated to reimagining state structures across the continent.
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: administrations must now navigate a world characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, alongside the profound shifts brought 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 meeting transcended mere diplomatic formality. It served as a vital opportunity to benchmark national reforms against continental best practices and to reassert a clear ambition: to position public administration as a primary driver of economic competitiveness.
Steering through turbulent times: new paradigms for public leadership
The proceedings, which brought together ministers, international experts, and senior officials, centered around two key theoretical and practical presentations.
The first address, delivered by Dr. Dieudonné Assouvi, Director General of CAFRAD, outlined the profile of tomorrow’s public manager. In an unstable environment, rigid, hierarchical bureaucratic methods have proven inadequate. Dr. Assouvi advocated for agile leadership, capable of anticipating economic crises and responding in real-time to maintain state continuity.
The second intervention, led by Professor Sehl Mellouli of 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, the technological independence of African states is no longer optional 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 sharing experiences, the Beninese delegation effectively showcased its remarkable progress. For several years, Benin has pursued an accelerated digitalization of its public services. This strategy is rooted in the deep conviction that simplifying administrative procedures dramatically reduces transaction costs for businesses and sustainably improves the business climate.
Benin notably shared its successful experience in the comprehensive dematerialization of fiscal procedures. By simplifying and digitizing tax collection and customs formalities, the nation secures its public revenues while eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks that often hinder 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 streamlined process 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 public 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 population. During discussions in Rabat, the issue of digital inclusion was extensively debated, emphasizing 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’s 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.
Looking ahead to CAFRAD’s 61st Board of Directors session
With the Ministerial Forum just concluded, delegations are already turning their attention to the institution’s 61st Board of Directors session. For Minister Rodrigue Chaou and his counterparts, the challenge now lies in translating the strategic directions discussed into operational roadmaps.
Member states will particularly focus on reviewing 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 import governance models but actively contributes to the co-construction of 21st-century African administration. This sends a powerful signal to development partners and international markets: in Cotonou, the state is modernizing to foster greater growth.
