By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
The
Minister of Digital Affairs and Digitalization, Aurelie Adam Soule Zoumarou, has
appeared before the National Assembly to present the Ministry’s budget proposal
for the 2026 fiscal year. The budget was prepared in line with directives from
the Ministry of Economy and Finance and reflects the strategic priorities and
challenges of the digital sector.
According
to a statement, the proposed 2026 budget for the Ministry of Digital Affairs
amounts to 27.238 billion FCFA, a decrease of 6.18 percent compared to the
29.034 billion FCFA allocated in 2025. The reduction is primarily due to a
decline in external financing, which is expected to drop by 12.22 percent in
2026. Of the total budget, 36 percent, or 9.774 billion FCFA, is allocated to
operating expenses, while 64 percent, or 17.464 billion FCFA, is earmarked for
capital expenditures.
It
noted that the budget is divided across three main programs: the Ministry’s
Steering and Support Services Program with 2.184 billion FCFA (8.02 percent),
the Digital Program with 12.372 billion FCFA (45.42 percent), and the Media
Program with 12.682 billion FCFA (46.56 percent).
Minister
Zoumarou stated in the statement that the 2026 budget will support the
implementation of key structural reforms in the digital sector, accelerate the
digitalization of critical economic sectors, and advance the transformation of
local governments. The allocation aims to promote widespread adoption of
digital tools, strengthen citizen trust in these systems, and ensure broader
access to modern, responsible, and high-quality media.
The
Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to using the budget efficiently to achieve
measurable results that contribute to Benin’s digital, economic, and social
transformation.
