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Benin • Public sector transformation

Benin: the state sets course for “zero paper”

In Benin, the modernisation of public administration is reaching a decisive milestone. A circular of 24 July 2026, led by Minister of State for the Budget Rodrigue S. Chaou together with the Ministry of Digitalisation, makes digitising the national archives mandatory and sets in motion the automation of administrative workflows. But going paperless is not scanning: centralising public data calls for stronger ransomware protection, strict retention periods under APDP oversight, as well as electronic signatures, certified timestamping and an Electronic Archiving System with evidential value. Discover in our carousel the three GRC challenges the Beninese state must meet to succeed in its move to “zero paper”.

By Ibrahim DOUMBOUYASenior Governance, Risk and Compliance Consultant

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PUBLIC SECTOR TRANSFORMATION

🇧🇯 Benin GRC News

BENIN SETS COURSE FOR "ZERO PAPER"

A phased digitisation of records and procedures across every branch of the state.

ADT Focus | Modernising Public AdministrationIbrahim DOUMBOUYAGovernance, Risk and Compliance ConsultantSlide 1 / 6

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The News

The Circular of 24 July 2026

🏛️ Who Is Behind It

The circular is led by Minister of State for the Budget Rodrigue S. Chaou, together with the Ministry of Digitalisation.

⚡ Headline Objective

Mandatory digitisation of the national archives and automation of administrative workflows.

Reference: Circular of 24 July 2026Ibrahim DOUMBOUYAGovernance, Risk and Compliance ConsultantSlide 2 / 6

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GRC Challenge #1

Infrastructure Cyber-Resilience

🛡️ Sovereign Data Centres

Centralising public data calls for stronger ransomware protection and strict access control.

A state operational security priorityIbrahim DOUMBOUYAGovernance, Risk and Compliance ConsultantSlide 3 / 6

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GRC Challenge #2

APDP Compliance & Citizen Data

⏱️ Retention

Set strict retention periods so the right to erasure is real.

⚖️ APDP Oversight

The APDP must sign off on the compliance of digital registers by design.

Protecting citizens' privacyIbrahim DOUMBOUYAGovernance, Risk and Compliance ConsultantSlide 4 / 6

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GRC Challenge #3

Evidential Value & Electronic Signatures

✍️ Digital Code

Electronic signatures and certified timestamping are mandatory (Book V).

📦 Electronic Archiving System

Roll-out of an Electronic Archiving System (EAS) with evidential value.

Legality and legal force in BeninIbrahim DOUMBOUYAGovernance, Risk and Compliance ConsultantSlide 5 / 6

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Conclusion

"Going paperless is not scanning. It is building a chain of trust in which cybersecurity and compliance are pillars of the state."

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#Benin #DigitalAdmin #AfricaGRC #ZeroPaperIbrahim DOUMBOUYAGovernance, Risk and Compliance ConsultantSlide 6 / 6