Benin Digital Week:
The Afro Tech International Forum showcases Benin’s digital ecosystem, its stakes and its challenges
As part of Digital Week, held in Cotonou from 22 to 28 November 2018, the Afro Tech International Forum 2018 was at the heart of the events scheduled for the occasion. Through debates, conferences, digital art exhibitions and awards for the best innovators, experts, investors, academics, entrepreneurs and key governance stakeholders redoubled their efforts to meet the challenge of launching Benin’s potential in the digital sector into orbit. Over two days, the aim was to showcase Benin’s digital ecosystem, its stakes and its challenges.
If the expected results were achieved at the end of this work, it is safe to say that this was thanks to the commitment shown by everyone, in particular that of the Minister of Digital Economy and Communication, Aurelie Adam Soulé Zoumarou, who has always been convinced that Digital Week is an opportunity to share experiences and pool efforts in the sector. In short, according to the Minister, Digital Week provides an opportunity to put Benin’s potential for digital innovation across the economic and social fabric in the spotlight, both nationally and internationally.
The Afro Tech International Forum 2018 enabled the Beninese authorities to present the actions taken to promote digital technology in Benin. Aurelie Adam Soulé Zoumarou listed a number of these actions, including: the launch of the Internet Exchange Point; the creation of a platform for dialogue between her ministry, the High Authority for Broadcasting and Communication (HAAC) and media professionals as part of the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) project; the activities of the third edition of Start-up Week, held in Natitingou; and the inauguration of the digital classroom at the Général Mathieu Kérékou Military High School for Girls. Along the same lines, the Minister highlighted the flagship actions of her ministry, namely the roll-out of high-speed internet across the entire country, the widespread use of digital technology through education and training, and the promotion and development of digital content. In addition to all these actions, the Head of State promulgated the Digital Code on 20 April 2018. There is no doubt that these actions are aimed at placing Benin at the centre of the development of digital technologies.
During the forum, participants also attended numerous presentations, including: the digital revolution under way in Africa; Africa, a land of opportunity for the digital economy; what is at stake in digital technology for Africa; digital development, which has become a priority in Benin; and the opportunities and challenges we can take up.
It is worth noting that the event brought joy to those participants who took part in the various competitions organised. In this context, the winner of the E-Agri Challenge and the best artist of Danxomè E-Art received awards for their talent.
The forum ended on a note of satisfaction among participants, who commended the personal involvement of the Head of State, Patrice Talon, and of the Minister of Digital Economy in successfully organising this event. “We can no longer envisage the development of our country without focusing our policies and resources on Digital,” concluded Aurelie Adam Soulé Zoumarou, placing particular emphasis on the fact that a support fund will be set up to stimulate digital entrepreneurship.
All newsThe Afro Tech International Forum showcases Benin’s digital ecosystem, its stakes and its challenges
As part of Digital Week, held in Cotonou from 22 to 28 November 2018, the Afro Tech International Forum 2018 was at the heart of the events scheduled for the occasion. Through debates, conferences, digital art exhibitions and awards for the best innovators, experts, investors, academics, entrepreneurs and key governance stakeholders redoubled their efforts to meet the challenge of launching Benin’s potential in the digital sector into orbit. Over two days, the aim was to showcase Benin’s digital ecosystem, its stakes and its challenges.
If the expected results were achieved at the end of this work, it is safe to say that this was thanks to the commitment shown by everyone, in particular that of the Minister of Digital Economy and Communication, Aurelie Adam Soulé Zoumarou, who has always been convinced that Digital Week is an opportunity to share experiences and pool efforts in the sector. In short, according to the Minister, Digital Week provides an opportunity to put Benin’s potential for digital innovation across the economic and social fabric in the spotlight, both nationally and internationally.
The Afro Tech International Forum 2018 enabled the Beninese authorities to present the actions taken to promote digital technology in Benin. Aurelie Adam Soulé Zoumarou listed a number of these actions, including: the launch of the Internet Exchange Point; the creation of a platform for dialogue between her ministry, the High Authority for Broadcasting and Communication (HAAC) and media professionals as part of the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) project; the activities of the third edition of Start-up Week, held in Natitingou; and the inauguration of the digital classroom at the Général Mathieu Kérékou Military High School for Girls. Along the same lines, the Minister highlighted the flagship actions of her ministry, namely the roll-out of high-speed internet across the entire country, the widespread use of digital technology through education and training, and the promotion and development of digital content. In addition to all these actions, the Head of State promulgated the Digital Code on 20 April 2018. There is no doubt that these actions are aimed at placing Benin at the centre of the development of digital technologies.
During the forum, participants also attended numerous presentations, including: the digital revolution under way in Africa; Africa, a land of opportunity for the digital economy; what is at stake in digital technology for Africa; digital development, which has become a priority in Benin; and the opportunities and challenges we can take up.
It is worth noting that the event brought joy to those participants who took part in the various competitions organised. In this context, the winner of the E-Agri Challenge and the best artist of Danxomè E-Art received awards for their talent.
The forum ended on a note of satisfaction among participants, who commended the personal involvement of the Head of State, Patrice Talon, and of the Minister of Digital Economy in successfully organising this event. “We can no longer envisage the development of our country without focusing our policies and resources on Digital,” concluded Aurelie Adam Soulé Zoumarou, placing particular emphasis on the fact that a support fund will be set up to stimulate digital entrepreneurship.