- Benin plans to establish an artificial intelligence institute for higher education by 2027, offering training programs that could lead to dual degrees in partnership with universities.
- The initiative builds on Benin’s 2023–2027 national AI strategy and the University of Abomey-Calavi’s roadmap, which aims to position the institution as an African center for responsible and inclusive AI by 2030.
- Limited digital infrastructure, computing resources and technical expertise, alongside data protection and academic integrity concerns, could constrain AI adoption in higher education.
Benin plans to establish an Artificial Intelligence Institute for Higher Education by 2027. The initiative reflects the country’s efforts to integrate emerging technologies into universities as educational institutions accelerate their digital transformation.
Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister Sèdami Medegan Fagla announced the project during the Annual Conference of Public University Rectors, held in Cotonou on November 5–6, according to local media.
The proposed institute will offer training programs leading to dual degrees in partnership with universities.
Benin Expands AI Initiatives in Higher Education
Benin’s efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into higher education build on its National Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Strategy (SNIAM) for 2023–2027, which the Council of Ministers adopted on January 18, 2023.
The strategy aims to develop domestic expertise through initial and continuing education programs covering programming, AI programming languages and big data management.
It also calls for universities, institutes, and training and research centers to receive the equipment needed to conduct projects in these fields and establish scientific and technological partnerships.
At the institutional level, the University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC) began developing its own AI strategy in 2025. The university assessed existing AI applications and consulted faculty members, researchers, students and partners.
UAC officially presented its roadmap on July 16, 2026, outlining its ambition to become a leading African center for responsible, inclusive and sovereign artificial intelligence by 2030.
The strategy focuses on four areas: education, scientific research, innovation and administrative transformation.
Two additional documents support the roadmap.
An AI charter establishes rules for using artificial intelligence and defines the responsibilities of members of the university community.
Meanwhile, an ethical framework sets out governance principles, technical requirements and oversight mechanisms for AI systems that the institution uses or develops.
AI Creates New Opportunities for Teaching and Research
Artificial intelligence offers universities opportunities to personalize learning, improve student support and expand access to academic resources.
The technology also enables lecturers to diversify teaching materials and develop exercises tailored to students’ learning needs.
In its 2026 report, Digitalisation and the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education in Africa, the International Centre for Higher Education Innovation under the auspices of UNESCO (UNESCO-ICHEI) highlighted AI’s potential to improve teaching practices and strengthen research capabilities.
In research laboratories, AI can accelerate the processing of large datasets, support scientific modeling and facilitate the analysis of research findings.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) also highlighted the potential applications of generative AI in a July 2026 analysis.
The organization identified opportunities in learning, student assessment, research and university administration.
AI adoption could therefore help higher education institutions align their training programs with the skills employers increasingly demand in a digital economy.
Infrastructure, Skills and Governance Remain Key Challenges
However, universities’ ability to capitalize on these opportunities depends on their technical and institutional capacity.
Reliable internet connectivity, adequate computer equipment and sufficient computing resources remain essential to deploying AI tools effectively.
The UNESCO-ICHEI study identified inadequate infrastructure as the main obstacle to AI integration among the higher education institutions it surveyed.
Skills shortages represent another constraint.
Universities must train lecturers and researchers to use AI tools effectively while understanding their limitations.
In its 2024 AI Competency Framework for Teachers, UNESCO emphasized the importance of technical proficiency, ethical awareness and the integration of AI into teaching practices.
Data protection, plagiarism risks and the reliability of AI-generated content also require clear rules and effective oversight.
In its guidance on generative AI in education and research, UNESCO recommends a human-centered approach that preserves teachers’ roles and strengthens students’ critical thinking skills.
Isaac K. Kassouwi