In a landmark move ahead of President-elect Romuald Wadagni’s official swearing-in, Benin has implemented an unprecedented technological initiative to democratize access to the national ceremony. For the first time in the country’s history, the entire inauguration proceedings—scheduled for Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the Palais des Congrès in Cotonou—will be broadcast live and without cost across all major mobile networks.
The groundbreaking arrangement stems from a zero-rating partnership between the government and the nation’s three leading telecom providers: MTN Bénin, Moov Africa Bénin, and Celtiis. Under this agreement, subscribers can stream the high-definition ceremony in real time without consuming their mobile data or requiring additional credit, eliminating financial barriers that typically limit public participation in such events.
a historic shift in digital inclusivity
The decision to host the oath-taking ceremony at the Palais des Congrès in Cotonou—rather than the traditionally used Stade Charles de Gaulle in Porto-Novo, currently undergoing renovations—has inadvertently catalyzed this digital inclusion milestone. By prioritizing seamless, barrier-free access, the organizing committee has removed the financial burden of data consumption, a common deterrent for citizens eager to witness pivotal national moments.
The zero-rating policy will activate automatically across all official presidential and public broadcaster (SRTB) channels, ensuring uninterrupted coverage from the event’s commencement to its conclusion.
unprecedented telecom collaboration
The unified participation of the state-run operator, private subsidiaries, and the public telecom entity Celtiis underscores a rare and robust technical alliance. Industry analysts highlight the initiative’s social equity value, emphasizing its transformative potential:
- Universal reach: Citizens in both urban centers and remote areas can access the live stream, provided they have a 3G or 4G signal.
- No prerequisites: No prior data plan or balance is required to initiate the stream.
- Network resilience: The three operators have scaled their infrastructure to handle the anticipated surge in simultaneous national connections.
a democratic milestone with far-reaching implications
Beyond its technical achievements, this initiative carries profound political and symbolic significance for the incoming administration. By enabling every smartphone-equipped citizen to witness the peaceful transfer of power firsthand, the government underscores its commitment to transparency and broadens the democratic resonance of the occasion.
For West African digital policy observers, this initiative may set a precedent, potentially redefining standards for institutional communication and national event coverage across the region.
