On Thursday 7 July 2022, at the Palais des Congrès in Cotonou, the Minister of Digital Affairs and Digitalisation, Ms Aurelie ADAM SOULE ZOUMAROU, officially opened the 1st edition of the Digital Entrepreneurship and Artificial Intelligence Fair (SENIA). For the occasion, she was accompanied by her colleague in charge of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Employment Promotion, Mr Modeste Tihounté KEREKOU
From 7 to 9 July 2022, ICT players and business leaders from the digital and Artificial Intelligence sectors, from Benin, Africa and around the world, are gathering around the theme: “Digital entrepreneurship and the challenges of Artificial Intelligence for the socio-economic development of Africa”.
Since 2016, Benin has embarked on a digital revolution, reflected in massive investment in building digital infrastructure, the digitisation of the public administration and the creation of a digital ecosystem that inspires confidence and fosters job creation.
For the chair of the SENIA organising committee, Mr Gaspard DATONDJI, the Fair, which opens two months after the technical and participatory workshop presenting the draft national artificial intelligence and big data strategy, is a further opportunity to make contributions so that its action plan, projects and use cases reflect the digital Benin “that we want to reveal to ourselves and to the world”. Artificial intelligence is a subject with great potential to foster social well-being and progress. It is a field that offers job opportunities.
In his address, Minister Modeste Tihounté KEREKOU reminded participants of the various measures taken by the Government to promote SMEs in our country: “The Government has understood that the issue of youth entrepreneurship is important and deserves to be addressed methodically. It is for this reason that a scheme to promote and support SMEs has been created.
“SENIA provides an opportunity not only to put the spotlight on our country's potential in artificial intelligence and digital entrepreneurship, but also to share experiences, aspirations and expectations and, above all, to pool efforts in the sector,” added Minister Aurelie ADAM SOULE ZOUMAROU
SENIA was initiated to create a melting pot bringing together the main players and partners of the ecosystem, from here and elsewhere, to discuss various themes related to digital entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence. It is a place to reflect on the role that the various stakeholders should play in offering the population and businesses in all sectors of activity a suitable range of services, while enabling them to create value and boost the economy.
To follow the various activities of the Digital Entrepreneurship and Artificial Intelligence Fair, come to the Palais des Congrès until Saturday 9 July 2022, or follow online on the event website at https://senia.bj/programme