Benin Launches National Digital Public Infrastructure Roadmap
July 21st 2026
- Benin has launched the development of a national roadmap for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to strengthen digital identity, digital payments and secure data exchange.
- The roadmap adopts the “Once Only” principle, allowing citizens to provide information to the government only once for use across public administrations.
- The initiative aligns Benin with a continent-wide acceleration of DPI deployment, as more than 32 African countries implement digital infrastructure under the global “50-in-5” initiative.
Benin has launched the development of a national roadmap for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), marking a new step in its digital transformation strategy. The Information Systems and Digital Agency (ASIN) held the roadmap’s launch workshop in Cotonou on Thursday, July 16.
The workshop brought together representatives from the microfinance, insurance and banking sectors, GSM operators, civil society organizations and international partners. Participants sought to define a governance framework that will strengthen digital identity, digital payments and secure data exchange.
One of the initiative’s guiding principles is the “Once Only” approach. Under this model, citizens provide information to the government only once, while public institutions subsequently share that information across administrations.
“It is not normal for the State to issue official documents and then ask citizens to provide those same documents again. We are actively working to put an end to this situation,” said Marc-André Loko, Director General of ASIN.
The initiative also supports President Romuald Wadagni’s digital transformation agenda. In his policy platform, the president pledged to simplify citizens’ access to public services through digital technology, including the creation of a financial inclusion platform targeting young people and women.
Meanwhile, research organization DigitA stated in its “Africa’s Digital Policy Review”, published in March, that 2026 marks a turning point for Digital Public Infrastructure across Africa. According to the report, governments have shifted from planning digital identity, payment and data-sharing systems to implementing them.
Africa Accelerates Digital Public Infrastructure
The Beninese initiative reflects a broader continental trend. More than 32 African countries have accelerated the deployment of Digital Public Infrastructure under the international “50-in-5” initiative.
Moreover, the World Bank’s Global DPI Program has highlighted tangible progress elsewhere on the continent. In Ethiopia, more than 36.6 million residents have enrolled in the Fayda ID system. In Nigeria, authorities have issued more than 100 million National Identification Numbers (NINs).
These developments underscore Africa’s growing focus on interoperable digital systems that can improve public service delivery, expand financial inclusion and support digital economic growth.
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