- A UN digital government platform, called eRegistrations, has placed Benin, jointly with Estonia, as the fastest in the world to start a company.
- The number of applications received per month is about 3600 recording a triple growth in the number of companies created through the platform
From a country famous for its cotton exports and vibrant clothing designs, Benin has acquired the status as the fastest place to start a business. A UN digital government platform, called eRegistrations, has placed Benin, jointly with Estonia, as the fastest in the world to start a company. The process has helped the country overtake New Zealand, Georgia and Hong Kong, China. EU takes three days and New York it is seven days.
Through a fully online service, the government supports entrepreneurs to start businesses and create jobs. A majority of Benin’s new entrepreneurs are women.
Applying for a permit to operate a business within the Covid travel restrictions has become easy. The entrepreneur can log into monentreprise.bj (in English, mybusiness), Benin’s new business registration website. Within ten minutes he/she can enter information, photograph and upload identity documents on a smartphone and pay by credit card. Two hours later, via email certificates of incorporation will be received.
The online platform in Benin was launched just before the Covid crisis. The number of applications received per month is about 3600 recording a triple growth in the number of companies created through the platform between February and July.