E-governance Benin
“Smart Governance”: Digitalisation connects municipalities and authorities
Benin’s public administration faces major challenges. Many authorities and ministries are still exchanging data via paper or external data carriers – a process that is prone to error, entails high security risks and can encourage corruption. Many city halls also lack a functioning internal network that enables the exchange and sharing of data. In addition, the power supply is not always stable, which makes the use of IT systems even more difficult. At the same time, the Beninese government has set itself ambitious targets for modernising its administrative structures and, in particular, for advancing their digitalisation.
On behalf of the German Federal Government, KfW is therefore supporting the West African country with a programme to strengthen central government structures ("Programme de Renforcement des Structures Centrales de Gouvernance" – PRSCG for short). It aims to increase the transparency and efficiency of public administration, in particular public finance, in order to create better conditions for public and private sector investment.
In a first phase of the programme, significant investments have already been made in the digitalisation of the administration, including the construction of a national data centre, and 185 administrative offices have been equipped with modern IT infrastructure and connected to a national administrative network. 27 sites received photovoltaic systems to secure the energy supply of the systems. A standardised system for data management now improves both the quality and the security of the data. In addition, a well-thought-out operation and security concept has been developed that ensures the long-term functionality of the network.
The focus of the current, second phase, which KfW is also co-financing, is primarily on public finance management. The aim is to expand and secure the national IT network, which will in future connect all central and decentralised authorities, in particular tax authorities and local authorities. A secure and reliable data network forms the basis for the use of web-based IT applications, which enable municipalities to simplify administrative processes, manage their revenues more efficiently and at the same time offer digital services to citizens. It is also planned to equip other project sites with photovoltaic systems.
It is not only public administration staff who benefit from modern digital tools that make their daily work easier. Benin’s roughly 14 million inhabitants also benefit from more efficient and transparent administrative action – a well-functioning administration is considered a prerequisite for sustainable development.
PRSCG thus not only makes an important contribution to the sustainable strengthening of municipal administration. It also contributes to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the achievement of the SDGs. A well-functioning administration ensures better framework conditions, economic growth and a higher level of well-being for the population. The programme is thus a key element of German development cooperation in Benin. By expanding the IT infrastructure, digitalising administrative processes and strengthening good governance, PRSCG is helping the country to become sustainable and resilient.
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