AGP Executive Report

Clean Cooking: With charcoal prices rising to 12,000 CFA francs, Benin’s government is urging households to compare costs and consider gas, citing both family budgets and forest protection. Digital Government: Benin’s ASIN brought public and private technology leaders together to discuss AI, cybersecurity and the shift from digitised services to smarter administration. Digital Access: Enrolment at four public universities is moving online through Etudiant.bj, making the national platform a key route into higher education. Digital Rights: A study of digital public systems in Benin and four other countries finds that complaint handling remains fragmented when errors cross services, and calls for shared standards to help users resolve problems.

Clean Cooking: Benin’s government is urging households to compare charcoal costs with gas and other cooking options after charcoal prices climbed to 12,000 CFA francs from about 7,000, citing both household savings and forest protection. Digital Government: At a meeting in Cotonou, ASIN officials and technology leaders examined how AI, cybersecurity and stronger public information systems could help move Benin from digitised paperwork to smarter public services. University Access: Enrolment at Benin’s four public universities is now handled through the Etudiant.bj platform, bringing admissions processes online. Standards and Energy: Benin says standards will support its energy transition and industrial competitiveness. Ocean Science: African states backed science-based ocean governance, with Benin’s Brito elected chair of the International Whaling Commission.

Digital Government: Benin’s ASIN is examining how to move public services from digitised paperwork to smarter administration, with discussions on AI, cybersecurity and connected government systems. Digital Access: Public university enrolment in Benin now runs through the Etudiant.bj platform, extending digital services to students. Accountability by Design: A study of digital public infrastructure in Benin and four other countries finds that complaints can fall between disconnected agencies; it recommends shared systems for tracking and resolving cases. Energy Standards: Benin is promoting standards for clean, affordable energy, including energy-management rules and efficiency labels for high-consumption equipment.

Climate-Resilient Crops: Experts speaking in Benin called for breeding drought-tolerant oil palm, combining conventional methods with biotechnology and gene editing. NIFOR also urged wider use of advanced breeding tools to improve yields and farmers’ resilience. Digital Higher Education: Benin’s four public universities are using the Etudiant.bj portal for 2026–27 pre-enrolment and re-enrolment, with a national ID-linked number designed to track students throughout their studies. Clean Energy Standards: The government says energy-efficiency standards, including equipment labelling and ISO 50001 guidance, can cut waste and support affordable, reliable power.

Energy Standards: Benin marked World Standards Day by highlighting quality rules, including ISO 50001 energy management, as tools to cut waste and support clean, affordable energy. Digital Education: A new Etudiant.bj portal now handles pre-enrolment and re-registration across the country’s four public universities, using students’ national ID details to verify applications. Agricultural Research: Plant breeder Pamela Afokpe, based in Benin, will discuss her work developing climate-resilient indigenous vegetables to improve nutrition and farmer incomes at an Iowa State lecture. Ocean Science: Benin’s Dr Urbain Brito has been elected chair of the International Whaling Commission, giving the country a leading role in global marine governance. School Connectivity: Benin is among five finalists for a Digital Inclusion Award, recognized for its GIGA school-connectivity project. Urban Planning: Cotonou’s FIC 2026 forum explored how sustainable city planning can improve everyday life through better housing, roads, clean neighbourhoods and flood protection.

Clean Energy Standards: Benin says quality standards can support its energy transition, with the government highlighting energy-management rules and mandatory efficiency labels for high-consumption equipment. Digital Education: A new portal, Etudiant.bj, now handles pre-registration and re-registration for all four public universities, linking each student’s record to their national ID number. Digital Inclusion: Benin is among five finalists for an award recognizing its GIGA school-connectivity project. Sustainable Cities: Cotonou’s FIC 2026 forum focused on making greener urban planning improve daily life through better housing, safer roads, cleaner neighborhoods and flood protection. Ocean Governance: Beninese commissioner Urbain Brito has been elected chair of the International Whaling Commission, giving Benin a leading role in global marine-resource discussions.

Higher Education: Benin’s four public universities have opened 2026–27 pre-registration and re-registration through Etudiant.bj, a shared portal linked to students’ national ID numbers and designed to track their progress. Ocean Science: Beninese commissioner Urbain Brito has been elected chair of the International Whaling Commission, giving Benin a leading role in debates on marine research and resource management. Clean Mobility: Spiro, which operates in Benin, has signed an agreement to build up to 50 solar-powered energy storage and charging stations across Africa, supporting its electric motorcycle and battery-swapping network. Sustainable Cities: Cotonou’s FIC 2026 forum called for urban planning that delivers practical gains for residents, including cleaner neighborhoods, flood protection and more accessible services.

Urban Innovation: Benin’s FIC 2026 forum in Cotonou put affordable housing, safe roads, clean neighborhoods and flood protection at the heart of sustainable-city planning, stressing that climate goals must improve daily life. Ocean Science: Benin’s commissioner, Dr Urbain Brito, was elected chair of the International Whaling Commission, raising the country’s profile in marine governance. Members also adopted a declaration and conduct code. Cotonou Mobility: Benin and Japan signed a further 10.8 billion FCFA grant for phase two of the Vêdoko interchange, bringing announced funding to 26.228 billion FCFA for an overpass and drainage works aimed at easing a major traffic bottleneck. Digital Access: Benin was named a finalist for a Digital Inclusion Award for its GIGA school-connectivity project. A separate study of digital public infrastructure in Benin and four other countries highlights the need for ways to fix errors across identity, payment and data services.

Digital Public Services: A study of 15 digital identity, payments and data systems—including Benin’s—says people need clear ways to challenge errors that cross agencies and platforms. Researchers argue that complaints and remedies should be built into digital infrastructure. Electric Mobility: Spiro, which operates in Benin, is part of a deal to build up to 50 solar-powered storage and charging stations across Africa, in a contract valued at up to $296 million. The project could support the battery-swapping networks used by electric motorcycles, though Benin sites have not been specified. Cotonou Transport: Benin and Japan signed a 10.8 billion FCFA grant for the second phase of the Vêdoko interchange, bringing announced project funding to 26.228 billion FCFA. The work includes an overpass and drainage improvements aimed at easing a major traffic bottleneck. Digital Inclusion: Benin was named among five finalists for a Digital Inclusion Award for its GIGA school-connectivity project. Aviation Training: A visit to Benin’s military aviation school highlighted infrastructure shortfalls as the academy prepares to train drone pilots and other air-force specialists.

Electric Mobility: Spiro, which already operates in Benin, plans to expand its Nigerian network in 2027. A separate deal with Chinese firm Jinguan Electric could bring 50 solar-powered storage and charging stations to African markets, supporting the battery-swapping ecosystem for electric motorcycles. Cotonou Infrastructure: Benin and Japan signed a 10.8 billion FCFA grant for the second phase of the Vêdoko interchange, bringing announced project funding to 26.228 billion FCFA. The work includes an overpass and drainage improvements aimed at easing congestion. Digital Inclusion: Benin is among five finalists for a digital inclusion award, recognised for its GIGA school-connectivity project. Aviation Training: A visit to Benin’s military aviation school highlighted infrastructure gaps as it prepares to train drone pilots and other air personnel.

Aviation Training: Benin’s military aviation school is under pressure to expand training for pilots, technicians and 100 drone operators, but an inspection highlighted infrastructure gaps that could constrain the country’s air capabilities. Aircraft Safety: Nigeria’s air force says its investigation into the fatal Ondo crash will examine claims that the aircraft had a fault and stopped in Benin City for checks before the flight; the allegations have not been confirmed. Digital Inclusion: Benin’s GIGA school-connectivity project has reached the final five for a UN digital inclusion award, recognising efforts to bring internet access to schools. Health Technology: Japan has provided Benin with 110 million FCFA worth of equipment to strengthen health services in the north. Shared Water Resources: The Niger Basin Authority is urging faster delivery of regional water projects, stressing climate adaptation and infrastructure for communities across the basin.

ICC Opportunities: Beninese applicants are eligible for the Court’s international vacancies, including a Technology and Communications Officer role; deadlines run through December 31. Regional Water Projects: The Niger Basin Authority is urging member countries to speed up shared water infrastructure and climate-adaptation work, which supports livelihoods across a region where more than 80% of jobs are linked to water. School Connectivity: Benin’s GIGA project, which connects schools to the internet, has been named a finalist for a UN-backed Digital Inclusion Award, selected from more than 1,500 entries. Health Technology: Japan has provided 110 million FCFA worth of equipment to support health services in northern Benin.

Tech Careers: Benin nationals are among those encouraged to apply for International Criminal Court openings, including a Technology and Communications Officer role, as the court seeks a more diverse workforce. Digital Inclusion: Benin’s GIGA school-connectivity project is a finalist for a Digital@UNGA Award, recognizing efforts to bring internet access to schools and widen students’ access to digital opportunities. Water and Climate: The Niger Basin Authority and member governments are calling for faster delivery of shared water projects, with climate adaptation and stronger water management among the priorities for a region where many jobs depend on water resources. Coastal Environment: Benin’s planned authority for the Fidjrossè–Ouidah shoreline faces the challenge of supporting tourism while protecting wetlands that help regulate water and reduce flood risk.

Water and Climate: The Niger Basin Authority is urging nine member countries to speed up climate-adaptation and water-resource projects. Implementation has reached nearly 50%, but key infrastructure and funding steps remain. Digital Inclusion: Benin is among five finalists for an international digital inclusion award, recognised for its GIGA project connecting schools to the internet. Coastal Protection: A new authority for the Fidjrossè–Ouidah shoreline is meant to balance tourism development with wetland protection and flood-risk management. Health Technology: Japan has provided 110 million FCFA worth of medical equipment to support health services in northern Benin.

Digital Inclusion: Benin is one of five finalists for a Digital@UNGA award, recognised for its GIGA project to connect schools to the internet and widen students’ access to digital learning. Coastal Protection: A new authority will oversee development between Fidjrossè and Ouidah, where tourism growth must be balanced with protecting wetlands that help limit flooding. Health Technology: Japan is providing 110 million FCFA worth of equipment to strengthen health services in northern Benin. Energy and Research: Benin secured 65.5 billion FCFA in Paris for projects in electricity, agriculture and DNA expertise.

Regional Energy: West Africa’s power pool has completed its first synchronisation trial, enabling electricity flows across 12 countries. The milestone highlights the potential of cross-border grids to improve energy access. Digital Inclusion: Benin is among five finalists for an ITU-UNDP award for its GIGA project, which aims to connect schools to the internet and expand students’ access to digital learning. Coastal Conservation: A proposed authority for the Fidjrossè–Ouidah shoreline faces the challenge of supporting tourism while protecting wetlands that help regulate water and limit flood risks. Health and Research: Japan has provided Benin with 110 million FCFA in health equipment for northern communities, while a separate 65.5 billion FCFA Paris financing package targets electricity, agriculture and DNA expertise. Mono Delta: A free festival in Grand-Popo will offer tours of mangroves and the Transboundary Biosphere Reserve, alongside local crafts and food.