Benin has called on countries in West and Central Africa to abandon fragmented national digital policies and work towards a shared regional strategy, as it hosted the first Regional Summit on Digital Transformation in Cotonou.
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The meeting, co-organised with the World Bank, brought together officials from more than 20 countries to discuss digital inclusion, connectivity and artificial intelligence.
Benin’s Minister of Digital and Digitalization, Aurelie Adam Soulé Zoumarou, said many African states have made progress in digitalisation but at very different speeds, making closer coordination essential. She highlighted the persistent “usage gap”, where internet infrastructure exists but is underused, often due to affordability, lack of relevant local content and limited digital skills.
The summit focused on narrowing these gaps through regional cooperation, including shared approaches to digital services and artificial intelligence. Benin and its partners say the aim is to align national efforts with African Union 2030 goals and turn regional collaboration into tangible benefits for citizens across West and Central Africa.
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