Human capital & innovation at the heart of Benin’s transformation

Concrete solutions for development.

Benin has placed innovation at the heart of its development in order to improve people’s daily lives. This dynamic is reflected in the dematerialization of public services and the creation of e-services, making access to the administration more fluid and efficient. At the same time, the country is structuring its start-up sector to support high-impact entrepreneurs. Benin has created Sèmè City, an innovation hub dedicated to research, entrepreneurship and training. This emblematic location aims to position Benin as a key player in innovation “Made in Africa”.

The e-services platform

Benin has a centralized e-services platform on the service-public.bj website.

The rise of artificial intelligence

In 2023, Benin has adopted a five-year strategy for artificial intelligence and megadata.

Les changemakers de Sèmè City

Sèmè City is an innovation hub bringing together a community of 650 learners, 1,000 entrepreneurs and 115 researchers.

Benin's booming innovation sector

The national strategy for Artificial Intelligence and megadata.

Benin has adopted the National Artificial Intelligence and Megadata Strategy (SNIAM) 2023-2027. Worth 4,680,000,000 CFA francs over a 5-year period, the strategy offers the opportunity to harness AI in key areas of development in order to position the country as a major AI player in Africa.

Sèmè City and innovation "Made in Africa

Sèmè City promotes training, research and entrepreneurship through various programs such as the Sèmè City Film Lab and FLY, in partnership with international entities. These initiatives aim to equip young people with the skills to succeed in high value-added sectors such as the creative and digital industries.

Granting the startup label in Benin

The adoption of the decree on the granting of the startup label to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in March 2023, was the culmination of a long process started in 2018, with the Benin Startup Week initiative, which consisted of a series of visits to Beninese startups offering innovative solutions in the Beninese digital ecosystem.

Next : Sèmè City and innovation "Made in Africa

Find out more about Sèmè City

The Ouidah Campus
Explore the first images of the future Sèmè City campus in Ouidah
Learn more
Sèmè One
Discover the 1st Sèmè City campus in the heart of Cotonou
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The SCOPs
Visit an open innovation park covering an area of 2,500 m².
Learn more
TinIMA
A platform dedicated to introducing young people to innovation
Learn more
 
 
 

The 1st design school in West Africa is in Benin

Since its creation in 2019, the Africa Design School, the fruit of a partnership between the École de Design Nantes Atlantique EDNA and Sèmè City, has established itself as a leading institution in Africa, offering high-quality training and producing talented, creative designers.

Boosting research with the X Tech Lab

X-TechLab is Sèmè City's training and collaborative research platform. The initiative focuses on the use of X-ray techniques for scientific research. The X-TechLab is distinguished by its focus on new technological frontiers to foster scientific, industrial and societal advances.

The emergence of ICCs with the Sèmè City Film Lab

Sèmè City's innovative incubation program, in collaboration with EbonyLife Media and supported by the World Bank, aims to equip young Beninese talent with the skills to excel in the screen-based industries, and offers a unique funding and production opportunity for selected projects, including short films and TV pilots.

They chose
Sèmè City

Xavier Romatet
Managing Director, Institut Français de la Mode

« By joining forces, IFM and Sèmè City will pool all their resources and expertise so that creative entrepreneurs can flourish on the scale of their ambition: whether local, continental or international. »

Tony Elumelu
Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Transcorp and founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation

« We are amazed by the magnificent work being done for young people. That’s one of the reasons why I’ve come to express my gratitude to the President of the Republic for his leadership on behalf of Benin’s young people. There are enormous opportunities for young people in this country. »