Benin seeks to structure fintech sector and digital services

Benin is working to structure its fintech sector as part of a broader movement within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) to integrate digital finance into payments, credit, and consumer protection. The Beninese Ministry of Digital Affairs aims to establish the country as a digital services platform for West Africa, supported by a national strategy for financial inclusion.

On a regional level, the BCEAO has launched an interoperable instant payment platform to facilitate exchanges between banks, operators, and fintech companies. To further these goals, the eighth edition of the Next Fintech Forum is scheduled for November 26–27, 2026, in Cotonou. The forum, themed ‘From Adoption to Value: Industrializing Fintech to Accelerate Growth,’ expects to host over 500 decision-makers from more than 30 nationalities.