The Beninese government seeks to increase digital inclusion and enhance internet connectivity in underserved areas by utilising Starlink’s space technology.
On Wednesday, February 5, officials of Elon Musk’s American business SpaceX, which runs the satellite internet service provider, Starlink, met with Minister of State for Economy and Finance Romuald Wadagni to discuss three areas of cooperation, including the issue.
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The two sides also discussed the creation of cutting-edge digital solutions for e-health and e-education, which are significant forces behind societal change, as well as enhancing connection for more efficient border monitoring.
“Digital inclusion is a key lever to meet the challenges of tomorrow. This partnership illustrates our commitment to modernize the country and reduce the digital divide for more inclusive and sustainable development,” said Mr. Wadagni.
Goal of the initiative
The goal of the initiative is to make “Benin the digital platform of West Africa” and to use digital transformation as a key tool to boost economic expansion.
Nonetheless, there is still a lack of widespread use of telecom services, especially the Internet.
In early 2024, there were about 14.78 million active cellular mobile connections in Benin, or 106.4 percent of the country’s entire population, according to the Digital 2024 study by Datareportal.
According to the report, as of the beginning of 2024, there were 4.69 million internet users in Benin, which accounted for 33.8 percent of the country’s entire population. This is below the ARCEP’s 2023 prediction of 7 million unique internet users.
At the beginning of 2024, the median speed of Benin’s mobile internet connection was 30.56 Mbps.
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“The adoption of digital technologies opens up new avenues for development, whether by increasing the added value of existing agricultural resources, facilitating access to global value chains, improving education and healthcare, reducing transaction costs or promoting the efficiency, transparency and governance of government services for citizens and businesses,” said the GSMA in its report “The Digital Transformation of Benin’s Economy.”
Though Starlink plans to start commercial operations throughout the nation in late 2023, it is crucial to remember that talks between the government and the firm regarding digital inclusion are still in their early phases. The two sides have not yet declared or signed an agreement. Furthermore, it is yet unclear how this relationship would truly benefit the people living in neglected areas.
Digital technology has been established by the Beninese government as a key component of the nation’s socioeconomic growth. Recently, the executive started looking for a specialist to improve the conditions for the growth of digital public services.