Rabat recently hosted the 17th Pan-African Ministerial Forum of CAFRAD on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. Ahead of the 61st session of the Board of Directors, Rodrigue Chaou, Benin’s Minister responsible for Budget and Public Service, presented the nation’s ambitious vision. Through extensive service digitalization and structural reforms, Cotonou is emerging as a beacon of modern governance, determined to transform its public administration into a powerful engine for economic growth.
A strategic summit for the future of African public services
This significant high-level gathering convened in the Moroccan capital, a historical nexus for South-South cooperation. Established in 1964, the African Training and Research Centre in Administration (CAFRAD) stands as the premier intergovernmental body dedicated to reimagining the continent’s state structures.
This year, the forum tackled a formidable challenge, focusing its theme on leadership as a crucial catalyst for guiding public action within a VICA(P)D environment. This intricate acronym underscores a tangible reality: public administrations must now adeptly navigate a world marked by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, alongside the profound shifts brought by digital transformation.
For Benin, with Minister Rodrigue Chaou, the delegated Minister to the Minister of Economy and Finance, in charge of Budget and Public Service, at the helm, this assembly transcended mere diplomatic protocol. It served as a vital platform to benchmark national reforms against continental best practices and to underscore a distinct ambition: to elevate public administration into a pivotal driver of economic competitiveness.
Governing through change: new styles of public leadership
The forum’s proceedings, drawing together ministers, international experts, and senior officials, featured two pivotal theoretical and practical presentations.
The initial address, delivered by Dr. Dieudonné Assouvi, CAFRAD’s Director-General, outlined the profile of the future public manager. He argued that rigid, hierarchical bureaucratic methods have proven inadequate in today’s unstable climate. Dr. Assouvi advocated for agile leadership, emphasizing the capacity to foresee economic crises and respond instantaneously to ensure state continuity.
Following this, Professor Sehl Mellouli from Laval University in Canada presented on a core contemporary issue, connecting political leadership directly to digital sovereignty. In an era shaped by artificial intelligence and sovereign cloud solutions, technological independence for African nations is no longer merely an option, but an indispensable prerequisite for both national security and economic appeal.
The economic impact of digitalization: Benin’s winning strategy
A modern administration is not just a tool for political prestige; it is the primary partner for private investment and wealth creation.
During the ministerial experience-sharing session, the Beninese delegation proudly showcased its significant progress. For several years, Benin has pursued an accelerated digitalization of its public services. This strategy is founded on the deep belief that streamlining administrative processes dramatically lowers transaction costs for businesses and sustainably improves the business environment.
Specifically, Benin highlighted its successful initiative in dematerializing fiscal procedures. By simplifying and digitizing tax collection and customs formalities, the nation not only secures its public revenues but also eliminates bureaucratic bottlenecks that previously hindered economic operators.
Continuing this momentum, the establishment of a single window for business creation now allows for the formation of a legal entity online in just a few hours. This enhanced ease fosters youth entrepreneurship and attracts foreign direct investment. Furthermore, the transparency inherent in digitalization minimizes physical interactions between citizens and agents through online platforms, thereby mitigating corruption risks and strengthening public trust in governmental institutions.
A resilient administration serving citizens
Beyond macroeconomic productivity gains, Benin’s administrative modernization efforts are designed to directly impact citizens’ daily lives. During the discussions in Rabat, digital inclusion was a prominent topic, underscoring that digital transformation must not marginalize the most vulnerable segments of society.
For the Beninese government, digitalization is complemented by proactive policies focusing on decentralization and access to essential services. Whether it involves obtaining civil status records, criminal background checks, or identity documents, the reduction in administrative processing times facilitates citizens’ integration into the formal economy and ensures equal opportunities across the entire territory, from urban centers to the most remote regions.
Towards the 61st session of CAFRAD’s Board of Directors
With the Ministerial Forum recently concluded, delegations are already shifting their focus to the 61st session of CAFRAD’s Board of Directors. For Minister Rodrigue Chaou and his counterparts, the immediate challenge lies in translating the strategic directives discussed into actionable operational roadmaps.
Member states are expected to review CAFRAD’s activity report, outline future training programs for senior African executives, and enhance South-South cooperation in administrative engineering.
Through its active involvement in these decision-making bodies, Benin demonstrates its commitment not merely to adopting governance models, but to actively contributing to the collaborative development 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 progress.