Ministers from West and Central African countries have adopted the Cotonou Declaration, committing to accelerate digital transformation across the region by 2030. The declaration was made at a regional summit held in Benin on November 17–18, 2025. Key goals include providing affordable broadband access to 90% of the population, developing interoperable public digital infrastructure such as identity and payment systems, doubling intra-African e-commerce, and establishing harmonized frameworks for cybersecurity, data governance, and artificial intelligence.
The declaration also sets targets for large-scale training programs to equip 20 million people with basic digital skills and create opportunities for two million young people and women in digital jobs or entrepreneurship. Ministers agreed to support innovation ecosystems in partnership with the private sector and promote African AI solutions through regional computing infrastructure and targeted AI application programs.
To reach these objectives, public and private investments will be mobilized through national digital compacts that align reform priorities with financing needs and strategic partnerships. Discussions at the summit included measures to share best practices, coordinate efforts to develop regional digital markets, and encourage private sector investment in digital infrastructure. Initiatives like Mission 300 (M300), which aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030, were highlighted as essential for supporting broader economic transformation.
The summit was co-organized by the Government of Benin and the World Bank Group. It brought together over 200 participants—including ministers, representatives of regional organizations, private sector leaders, innovators, civil society groups, and international experts—and aligns with African Union objectives for universal broadband access and a single continental digital market.
H.E. Abdoulaye Bio Tchané, Senior Minister of Planning and Development for Benin, stated: "Digital technology has become a major accelerator of productivity, a lever of competitiveness, and an infinite space for innovation. Its impact is particularly decisive in Africa, where our youth is entering the labor market en masse. Africa is no longer just a consumer: it is becoming a creator, an innovator, and an influential player in the global digital economy. In this dynamic, Benin has made a deliberate choice: to make digital technology a central pillar of its economic transformation."
H.E. Aurelie Adam Soulé Zoumarou, Minister of Digital and Digitalization for Benin said: "Digital is no longer a choice; it is an economic, social, and strategic necessity. But no strategy can thrive without a shared vision and a strong alliance between states, the private sector, civil society, and youth. This synergy is the true invisible infrastructure that makes inclusive and sustainable digital transformation possible."
Ousmane Diagana, World Bank Vice President for West and Central Africa commented: "The success of the Cotonou Declaration depends on two imperatives: better coordination among donors and partners to align and channel resources effectively, and better joint communication of successes and progress to strengthen political buy-in, attract more investment, and create a virtuous regional dynamic. To this end, Digital Compacts will serve as strategic platforms for commitments from all partners—public and private—around a shared vision. They will enable better coordination and targeting of public and private financing to achieve countries’ priority objectives for digital and AI, galvanize political leadership, and thus deliver greater impact for populations, the informal sector, and businesses."
Sangbu Kim, World Bank Group Vice President for Digital & Artificial Intelligence added: "We are at a critical moment. The era of artificial intelligence will not wait for us. The choices countries make today regarding investment, governance, and inclusion will determine who benefits from this transformation. Our goal is clear: to work alongside countries to ensure that artificial intelligence becomes a driver of shared prosperity and to shape a future where Africa leads in digital innovation, inclusion, and job creation."