(Ecofin Agency) - Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI), an international organization that advocates for greater accessibility of the Internet worldwide, will conduct a study on improving electronic communications and postal services in Benin. The decision was taken by the government following a Council of Ministers held June 19, 2019.

“This study aims to improve accessibility to networks and services, in order to accelerate the implementation of universal service and reduce coverage and service gaps in the sub-sector. It is based on the recommendations made in the evaluation report of the National Program for Universal Service of Electronic Communications and Post Office, and the pilot projects implemented by the Agency dedicated to this purpose over the period 2014-2018,” the government said.

As of March 31, 2019, the penetration rate for the Internet in Benin was 45.18%, only 0.42% for fixed telephony, and 82% for mobile, according to the Electronic Communications and Postal Regulatory Authority (Arcep-Benin). On the postal segment, activity was down by 37.8%, according to the latest statistics dating back to 31 December 2018.