Rabat hosted the 17th Pan-African Ministerial Forum of the African Centre for Training and Administrative Research (CAFRAD) on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. Ahead of the institution’s 61st Board of Directors session, Benin’s Minister for Budget and Public Service, Rodrigue Chaou, presented his nation’s ambitious vision. Through extensive digitalization of services and profound structural reforms, Cotonou is establishing itself as a prime example of modern governance, determined to transform its public administration into a powerful 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 hub for South-South cooperation. Established in 1964, CAFRAD remains the leading intergovernmental body dedicated to rethinking state structures across the continent.
This year, the forum tackled a significant challenge, focusing its theme on leadership as a vital catalyst for steering public action in a VICA(P)D environment. This complex acronym encapsulates a tangible reality: administrations must now navigate a world characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity, and 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 offered a crucial opportunity to benchmark national reforms against continental best practices and to reaffirm a clear aspiration: to elevate public administration into a key driver of economic competitiveness for the nation.
Navigating the storm: emergent styles of public leadership
The proceedings, which brought together ministers, international experts, and senior officials, centered around two prominent theoretical and practical presentations.
The first address, delivered by Dr. Dieudonné Assouvi, CAFRAD’s Director General, outlined the profile of tomorrow’s public manager. 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 the continuity of state functions.
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 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 appeal.
The economic impact 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 highlighted its remarkable progress. For several years, Benin has been vigorously pursuing the digitalization of its public services. This strategy is rooted in the deep conviction that simplifying administrative procedures drastically reduces transaction costs for businesses and sustainably improves the business climate.
Benin notably shared its successful experience in the dematerialization of fiscal procedures. By streamlining and digitizing tax collection and customs formalities, the country safeguards public revenues while simultaneously 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 of doing business stimulates youth entrepreneurship and attracts direct foreign 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 citizens
Beyond macroeconomic productivity gains, the administrative modernization championed by Benin aims for a direct impact on the daily lives of its population. During the discussions in Rabat, the critical issue of digital inclusion was thoroughly debated, emphasizing that digital transformation must not exclude 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 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 concluded, delegations are already focusing on 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 actionable operational roadmaps.
Member states will specifically work 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, 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 strong signal to development partners and international markets: in Cotonou, the state is modernizing to foster greater growth.