BENIN hosts the first meeting of the Francophone Network of Ministers in charge of Digital AffairsBENIN hosts the first meeting of the Francophone Network of Ministers in charge of Digital Affairs

On 31 May 2019, Aurelie Adam Soule Zoumarou held the first meeting of the Francophone Network of Ministers in charge of the Digital Economy, which Benin chairs through her. Still at the centre of attention of digital sector decision-makers, Benin, in the person of Aurélie Adam Soule Zoumarou, was designated on 11 and 12 October 2018 in YEREVAN, Armenia, at the 17th Summit of La Francophonie, to chair the RFMEN, the Francophone Network of Ministers in charge of the Digital Economy. Held on Friday 31 May 2019 on the sidelines of “the regional consultation day of French-speaking African countries on digital cooperation on Thursday 30 May”, the first meeting of the RFMEN is in line with the aim of Heads of State and Government to master the various transformations brought about by digital technology and to create synergy across the French-speaking world. <br> Benin’s economic capital thus brought together international delegations for rich and constructive discussions, with the aim of placing the day “under the banner of sharing, so that all the stakeholders in this room can contribute to the operationalisation of this network,” recalled the Chair of the RFMEN, Aurelie Adam Soule Zoumarou, who went on: “The institutional framework represented by our network will be a catalyst for our initiatives and an accelerator for collective success.” For seven months, the Ministers in charge of the Digital Economy of the French-speaking world have placed their trust in Benin, through Aurelie Adam Soule Zoumarou, by entrusting it with the task of coordinating the actions and activities of the Network. “A strategic mission, given the current context and challenges in the digital field. Today, no one doubts that digital technologies have contributed fully in recent years to the qualitative transformation of our societies, because, as President Patrice Talon has said, in the 21st century the real bridges linking people and societies are increasingly technological,” said the Chair of the Network. It was an opportunity for Ambassador Henri Monceau, Representative of the Secretary General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), Louise Mushikiwabo, to reaffirm the OIF’s commitment to and confidence in Benin and its Minister. “Digital technology is reshuffling the cards. We are at the dawn of a new civilisation, and those who come out on top will be those who have taken strong initiatives to renew the model in which we operate, as you have, Minister.” “You are one of those who have understood the stakes of digital technology. Under your leadership, under your stewardship and that of your colleagues, the French-speaking world can envisage playing a new role,” he added. The agenda of the Cotonou meeting included a sharing of experiences, good practices and lessons learned in implementing initiatives in the field of the digital economy. “The documents and the action plan that have been shared facilitate and will foster this collaboration. Moreover, our conferences and the RFMEN network embrace the themes of La Francophonie,” said a delighted Abdel Rahmane BABA-MOUSSA, Secretary General of the Conference of Ministers of Education of French-speaking States and Governments, CONFEMEN. The rest of the programme focused on the network’s charter and governance structure and on the presentation of the flagship projects to be implemented by the network. The closing words fell to the Chair of the RFMEN, who thanked the Head of State, His Excellency Patrice Talon, for his strong political commitment to the development of the digital economy sector, which was reflected in the holding of the RFMEN meeting in Benin. “President Patrice Talon has taught us one thing: when you dream, it is better to dream big, because it takes the same time as dreaming small,” she concluded.