The announcement that partner taxpayers attached to the Small Business Tax Centres (CIPE) in Parakou, Comè and Lokossa will gradually gain access to the DGI e-services platform has triggered a wave of debate among local business owners, tax professionals and residents. For many, the move signals a decisive shift toward digital tax administration. For others, it raises urgent questions about training, internet access and the pace of change.

Under the plan, users will be able to file declarations, make payments and obtain key tax documents such as payment receipts and tax compliance certificates online. The tax authority has promised awareness campaigns and training sessions to help taxpayers navigate the platform.

Reactions from the three cities

In Parakou, Benin’s second-largest city and a major commercial hub, the mood is largely positive but tinged with apprehension. A local accountant said the platform could save hours of queuing, but warned that many small businesses still lack reliable internet connections. “The idea is good, but we need support,” he said. “Not everyone is ready to go fully digital overnight.”

In Comè, a coastal town near the border with Togo, traders welcomed the prospect of fewer trips to tax offices. However, some expressed concern that the learning curve could be steep for older business owners. “We will need hands-on training, not just announcements,” one shopkeeper noted.

In Lokossa, in the southwest, civil society voices called for a smooth transition. A local entrepreneur said the success of the rollout would depend on how well the DGI communicates and assists taxpayers in the coming weeks.

What comes next

The three-step calendar is now set: Parakou on 21 September, Comè on 28 September and Lokossa on 5 October. At each stage, eligible taxpayers will be able to log on to the DGI e-services platform to handle their tax obligations.

The bigger question is whether the infrastructure and support systems can keep pace. Observers note that digital tax reforms in Benin have generally improved efficiency, but they also stress that unequal access to technology could widen the gap between well-connected businesses and those struggling to adapt.

For now, the DGI is betting on a gradual approach. Sensitisation teams are expected to visit the three cities ahead of each launch date. The coming weeks will show whether taxpayers embrace the change or resist it.

What is clear is that the conversation has shifted. The debate is no longer about whether Benin’s tax administration should go digital, but about how quickly and fairly that transition can be managed for everyone involved.