Benin’s Minister of Digital Economic system, Aurelie Adam Soule Zoumarou, is pragmatic concerning the nation’s ambitions. Based on her, the federal government is targeted on fundamentals: fiber infrastructure, nationwide digital ID, platform interoperability, and inclusive entry to companies.
On the core of constructing and strengthening Benin’s tech ecosystem is the API-An (Agence de Promotion des Investissements et des Exportations), which is the nationwide funding company that runs incubation packages, gives one-stop assist for startups and actively promotes entrepreneurship. Throughout the nation, a number of digital innovation hubs are backed by the API-An and the Ministry of Digital Growth, specializing in ICT, abilities coaching, and startup acceleration.
Benin additionally has a state-backed innovation district, Sèmè Metropolis, which hosts the Sèmè One incubator, tech labs, and R&D facilities. The innovation metropolis additionally homes a digital transformation in-built partnership with the German authorities.
TechCabal spoke to the minister on the sidelines of the current Cyber Africa Discussion board. The minister outlined Benin’s people-first digital technique, the philosophy behind Semé Metropolis (its flagship innovation hub), and why African enterprise funding requires endurance and contextual consciousness.
This interview has been frivolously edited for readability.
Benin has made notable progress in digital transformation. What units your method aside?
We’re not making an attempt to set ourselves aside. Our core mission is to serve our residents, whether or not they’re in a rural village or overseas. That’s why we’ve constructed a powerful nationwide fiber optic community, invested closely in human capital, and rolled out digital platforms for public companies. Residents can now entry authorities companies from anyplace.
We’ve additionally carried out a digital ID system to make this potential at scale. These are usually not headline-grabbing strikes however they’re crucial infrastructure. As soon as these are in place, differentiation comes naturally.
How is the federal government supporting startups, and the way are you courting traders?
Semé Metropolis is our flagship program for startups. It’s not only a constructing or a buzzword—it’s a full ecosystem. We offer coaching, entry to expertise, mentorship, and even digital platforms for startups to showcase their work. On prime of that, we’ve handed laws to determine and “label” high-potential startups primarily based on their innovation or enterprise mannequin. That label is a sign: the federal government believes on this firm’s potential.
We additionally work by way of our SME company to assist visibility and collaboration, particularly with ecosystems in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa.
However I need to be trustworthy with traders, Africa requires endurance. The continent doesn’t comply with the identical playbook as Asia, Europe, or the U.S. Buyers want to know our dynamics. It’s not about fast exits—it’s about deep affect.
You talked about digital public infrastructure. What position does that play?
It’s foundational. With out infrastructure, startups received’t scale, companies can’t attain distant areas, and governments can’t function effectively. Past the fiber community, we’ve centered on interoperability: making certain programs can “speak” to at least one one other and residents don’t must chase paperwork throughout departments.
From the ministerial panel, one in every of her strongest factors was this: “Benin’s digital transformation doesn’t cease at design, we deal with execution.” That features knowledge governance, AI readiness, and making certain inclusion for rural populations and women-led companies.
What’s your message to world enterprise capital?
When you don’t imagine in our startups, why would anybody else? Our authorities is investing as a result of we see potential. We’re de-risking these companies. However we want companions who perceive Africa, not simply the hype cycles, however the laborious realities.
Include endurance. Include context. And include a willingness to construct alongside us.
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