China supports digital development in Benin

Chinese Ambassador to Benin Peng Jingtao and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Benin, Aurélien Agbenonci, signed a framework agreement on China providing a preferential loan to Benin for its national broadband network phase II project on Sept 14.

The deputy secretary-general of the ministry was present at the signing ceremony.

Peng said that in recent years, thanks to the national broadband network project, Benin's digital economy has been developing dynamically and the country is working hard to build an important platform for digital services in the West African region. 

With China's support, the second phase of the project will be launched soon, which will improve the backbone and urban fiber network on the basis of the network already built, enhance the speed and security of Benin's network, achieve full coverage of the country's high-speed broadband network, and help it achieve leapfrog development, Peng said.

Chinese leadership has said China is willing to expand cooperation with Africa in digital economy, smart cities, 5G and other new industries to promote the development and vitalization of Africa. 

Peng said that at the recent China-Africa Internet Development and Cooperation Forum, China also expressed its willingness to work with Africa to implement the China-Africa digital innovation partnership plan. China's commitments are never empty words. Concrete action has already been taken. The development of Africa's digital economy has a bright future and China is willing to work with Benin to build a "digital Benin" and a China-Benin community with a shared future.

On behalf of President Patrice Talon, Agbenonci expressed deep gratitude to China for providing financing to Benin to support the development of its network infrastructure, adding that the partnership between Benin and China makes people feel proud and satisfied, which is highly valued by the Beninese side. 

Universal access to the internet is a prerequisite for Benin's economic development and a necessary condition for personal security in the context of the accelerating spread of COVID-19, Agbenonci said.

Digital economic cooperation has expanded China-Africa cooperation as a whole, Agbenonci said.

He added that the project will help to optimize Benin's network conditions and benefit people's livelihoods, and is also a concrete manifestation of the Beninese government's action plan. It is believed that the successful implementation of the project will help Benin improve its network infrastructure, as well as train local talents in the digital field to better serve the country's national development plan.