Digitalization Dominates 7th Benin Investment Forum
From 8 to 9 May 2025, the Government of Benin is holding its 7th Benin Investment Forum at the Sofitel Hotel in Cotonou. The theme of this edition is ‘Choose Benin’. The Investment and Export Promotion Agency of Benin and the Benin Chamber of Commerce and Industry co-organized the event under a public-private partnership with MTN Benin as the Platinum Sponsor.
Some 400 delegates from 30 countries attended the Forum with a mix of policy makers, business people and representatives from regional and international organizations.
In 2023, Benin managed to attract USD 434 million in Foreign Direct Investment (#FDI). One of the key topics will center on the #DigitalEconomy enabled by the penetration of broadband and the proliferation of smartphones.
In that respect, MTN Benin plans to invest more than USD 200 million by 2026 to upgrade its telecom network. The plan is to upgrade to #5G and expand the coverage of fixed broadband via #FTTX. As part of its expansion plan, MTN Benin will build a new HQ complex in Cotonou.
In his welcome address, the Beninese Minister of Commerce and Industry Shadiya Assouman reiterated the vision of the government to promote more public-private partnerships (#PPP). He noted that FDI climbed from USD 150 million in 2015 to USD 434 in 2023, which is very encouraging.
“Benin is ready to welcome new capital, innovation, and to build audacious alliances in order to turn ideas into concrete investments. This Forum is a platform for to business matchmaking between project developers and financiers. We do not only seek to attract investors, we wish to gain their trust and fidelity.”
Several panel discussions are scheduled during the forum, including innovation, digital sovereignty, #Startup and SME funding, #FreenFinance, logistics upgrade and #industrialization.