By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Benin has praised Ethiopia’s
progress in digital transformation, describing the country’s approach to
modernising public services and digital governance as a model for other African
nations.
The remarks were made by
Benin’s Minister of Digital Transformation and Innovation, Mahouna Akplogan,
during an official delegation visit to Addis Ababa, where the delegation
examined key components of Ethiopia’s digital transformation programme.
According to Ethiopia’s
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visit highlighted Ethiopia’s growing role in
digital diplomacy and provided an opportunity for the two countries to exchange
experiences on digital government and innovation.
During the visit, the
delegation toured the Messob One-Stop Service Center, an integrated platform
designed to streamline public administration processes, improve service
delivery, and reduce bureaucratic procedures by bringing multiple government
services under a single ecosystem.
The delegation also reviewed
Ethiopia’s Fayda National Digital ID System, which serves as the country’s
digital identity platform and is intended to provide a secure and trusted
foundation for digital public services, financial inclusion, and broader economic
participation.
Speaking during the visit,
Akplogan said Ethiopia’s digital transformation journey offers valuable lessons
for African countries seeking to modernise public administration, improve
operational efficiency, and deliver more citizen-centred services.
The visit underscored the
growing emphasis on cross-border collaboration and knowledge sharing among
African countries as they accelerate the development of digital public
infrastructure and strengthen regional cooperation in digital transformation.
Ethiopia has continued to
position digital transformation as a key pillar of its national development
strategy, with initiatives such as the Messob One-Stop Service Center and the
Fayda National Digital ID System supporting efforts to improve public service
delivery and expand access to digital services.
