In May 2009, e-TRI-Benin became the official partner of Development Gateway in Benin and took the ownership of the Benin Development Gateway. Here are some of the projects we have completed or are in the process of completing.

We have fully redesigned the main BDG portal following our needs assessment to achieve more functionality. It is becoming a true gateway with useful information for Benin nationals and foreigners alike.  It currently offers:

• General information about Benin,
• Online services for citizens and foreigners (including administrative procedures and paperwork),
• Local news and media,
• Most importantly links to the sub-portals dedicated to business and education.

The main portal is available at www.portaildubenin.org www.portaildubenin.com and www.developpementbenin.org .  

B. E-Business Benin Portal

This new component of the BDG meets our shared goal for usability and functionality. It is a one-stop location for all business information about Benin. Please find below a non-exhaustive list of resources already available on the e-Business portal:

• Integrated business directory offering self-registration and ability to list products for sale. Local businesses can use their profiles as their websites and eventually as e-commerce outlets (where transactions will be processed through e-TRI Benin’s terminals)
• Up to date databases with downloadable versions of the following files :
• Investment code
• Tax code
• Procurement code
• Insurance code
• Finance act of 2009
• Technical standards for exports
• Business law
• And more…
• Up to date directory of all financial institutions and banks in Benin arranged by sectors and how to contact them, procedures (addresses, phone and fax numbers, emails etc.)
• Step-by-step information for business creation (forms and timeframe)
• Useful links for exports to the European Union and the US and information on institutions such as the EX-IM Bank and AGOA
• Invest in Benin section
• Information and links on key players such BCEAO, OHADA, CCIB, UEMOA, BOAD and more…
• Economic news and analysis 
•  

C. E-Education Benin Portal

Educational Resources (www.educationbenin.org )
The e-Education Portal offers reviewed and carefully evaluated educational content in all subject matters from K-12, for professional and vocational education. We catalogue these resources along with those found on the internet by grade level. We offer tools to educators to make them better at understanding and teaching their subjects. Such tools include lesson plan databases, open-source educational software databases, best-practices catalogued by subjects and grade-levels, research and documentation databases, forums and blogs hosted by teachers and for teachers and much more.

Online Training (www.educationbenin.org/lms)
An autonomous Learning Management System (LMS) platform powered by Moodle offers learning modules for educators and students. These modules are designed in collaboration with Ministries of Education (MoE) and the National Institute for Training and Research in Education (INFRE). During a pilot phase, volunteers and other selected learners will be retained and training will focus on French and Mathematics. Later, the program will be extended to all learners and subjects. In the initial phase, learners will have access to the LMS at our ICT center in Cotonou and online from any location. As we open more centers around the country, teachers especially in rural areas, will come to us to complete their training.

School Management System (http://www.educationbenin.org/gepi/gepi/login.php)
We used the “gestion d’élèves par Internet” (GEPI), a free open-source school management software to effectively manage and monitor school performance. Deployed on our server, it can be accessed via intranet or internet by all stakeholders of participating schools. From entering the results of each assessment by teachers to print report cards for the entire school and preparing school meetings, GEPI is a flexible and easy to access tool even for the most reticent technophobe. In addition, GEPI provides parent access to the performance of their child and a “school life” feature.

School databases (www.educationbenin.org)
We designed and implemented a well-tested set of tools and protocols to collect critical data on all K-12 establishments. We catalogue this critical information in a smart and searchable database. It will include specific information on:

• Current physical infrastructure (number and condition of classrooms, electricity, Internet access, available computers and more)
• Current programs led by governmental and non-governmental partners
• Demographic information on teachers and students
• ICT teacher and student training including past, present and planned initiatives

D. Content Development

We have designed, developed and produced our first DVD compilation of free and open source software for education in Benin titled Socrate 1.0. Socrate includes over 125 software organized by levels of education (from primary school to high school).  All subject matters are covered and each software introduced by a descriptive sheet, appropriate screenshots and instructions for installation. In addition, items related to school and student management, desktop publishing, multimedia, antivirus and more are included. The DVD is currently available in Benin for students and teachers.

Please take a moment to visit our links online and offer feedback. We also hope that your support will be available soon. We truly believe in the Country Gateway model and we have invested considerably in this endeavor. As always, feel free to contact us should you have any questions.

Regards,

Senam Beheton