The declaration was finalised at the first-ever regional summit on digital transformation, hosted by the government of the Republic of Benin in partnership with the World Bank Group. The summit brought together key digital economy stakeholders to share strategies, forge partnerships, and define a collective vision for a digitally empowered Africa.
According to Nigeria’s minister of digital economy and ICT, Dr. Bosun Tijani, the declaration represents a bold step toward regional collaboration and a single African digital market.
“Anchored in our shared ambition to deliver meaningful value to our people, the summit concluded with the adoption of the Cotonou Declaration 2025 — a statement of collective intent to accelerate digital transformation, deepen regional integration, and unlock inclusive economic growth,” he said.
The Cotonou Declaration outlines key commitments, including:
Dr. Tijani emphasised that for Nigeria, Africa’s largest digital economy, the declaration aligns directly with national priorities, including building resilient fibre infrastructure, expanding digital public infrastructure, and strengthening talent development.
He described the declaration as “a turning point… marking a decisive step toward a single African digital market founded on connectivity, trust, innovation, and ethical AI.”
The minister added that the collaboration is set to deliver regional prosperity, resilience, and opportunities for citizens, and reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to driving the vision forward with “purpose, partnership, and leadership.”
