Benin creates committee to scrutinize public digital projects

Benin has established a National Digital Committee empowered to assess public technology projects and recommend corrective action, including redirecting or discontinuing initiatives that fail to meet their objectives, Ecofin Agency reported on 20 October 2026. Decree No. 2026-579, dated 2 September and published on 16 October, places the committee under President Romuald Wadagni. Its responsibilities include strategic guidance, project monitoring, and intelligence on technology and cybersecurity. Major digital projects and technology partnerships affecting national digital sovereignty must receive its prior opinion. The committee will not replace the Agency for Information Systems and Digital Affairs, ASIN, which remains responsible for operational delivery. ASIN develops digital infrastructure, secures information systems and supports the digitisation of administrative services. Its ongoing programmes include the second phase of Smart Gouv, covering 2021–2026, with work on online services, electronic document and mail management, archiving and shared administrative infrastructure. The president or his representative will chair the new body. Members include Digital Transformation and Innovation Minister Mahuna Akplogan, ASIN’s director general and the heads of public bodies handling digital investigations and cybersecurity. The authorities may also appoint three recognised experts for three-year terms, renewable once. Meetings will take place quarterly. A permanent secretariat will maintain a dashboard of projects and reforms using information from the relevant institutions and submit quarterly reports to the president. The decree also provides for monitoring emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, and measures protecting critical digital infrastructure and data linked to national sovereignty.