The Benin government has taken a significant step towards developing local cybersecurity solutions through its CyberIncub program. Three startups, Mac & Sec-Protus, Okiki, and Defentix, have been selected as laureates and will each receive 10 million CFA francs in funding. The program aims to support the emergence of a national cybersecurity offer and respond to the growing needs of businesses and administrations in the face of increasing cyber threats.
The CyberIncub program was launched by the Benin government's Agence de développement des petites et moyennes entreprises (ADPME) and Agence des systèmes d'information et du numérique (ASIN), with the support of LuxDev. The program attracted numerous project proposals from across the country, with 20 projects initially selected and 10 teams ultimately integrated into the incubation program. The selected startups underwent six months of training, combining technical skills development, mentoring, and entrepreneurial structuring.
The CyberIncub program seeks to strengthen local competencies and promote the creation of solutions capable of meeting digital sovereignty challenges. The program's ambition is to enable Beninese entrepreneurs to design solutions not only for the national market but also for businesses on the continent and, ultimately, the international market. The selected startups will also receive ongoing support from ADPME to formalize and structure their businesses.
According to ADPME Director-General Alvyne Alia, cybersecurity is both a trust issue for the digital economy and an opportunity for young entrepreneurs. She emphasized that the program has identified and supported talents through incubation, capacity building, and mentoring. ASIN Director-General Marc-André Loko highlighted the need for Benin to move from being a technology user to a producer, citing the importance of trust, meeting real needs, and competitiveness in the adoption of solutions.
The Minister of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Employment Promotion, Awaou Baco, praised the progress made by the beneficiaries and emphasized that cybersecurity has become an issue of sovereignty, trust, and competitiveness for startups, businesses, and administrations. She encouraged the laureates to transform the skills acquired during incubation into viable businesses that create jobs.
The CyberIncub program aims to contribute to the development of a Beninese cybersecurity ecosystem focused on creating, commercializing, and exporting digital solutions. The program's structures plan to support the creation of an environment conducive to the growth of local cybersecurity startups. The selected startups will play a crucial role in shaping the country's cybersecurity landscape.
The funding provided to the three startups is part of a broader effort to promote entrepreneurship and innovation in Benin. The CyberIncub program demonstrates the government's commitment to supporting the growth of a local cybersecurity industry. With the support of international partners, the program is expected to have a positive impact on the country's digital economy.
Key points
- The CyberIncub program has awarded three Beninese cybersecurity startups with 10 million CFA francs each to develop their solutions.
- The program aims to support the emergence of a national cybersecurity offer and respond to growing cyber threats.
- The selected startups will receive ongoing support to formalize and structure their businesses.
