INTERNET/CALL PACKAGES ON GSM NETWORKS IN BENIN: A Cold Shower After a Brief Digital Spring
For a few weeks, Beninese subscribers of Moov Africa, MTN, and Celtiis believed in a price revolution with unprecedented offers, notably unlimited monthly data for 5,000 FCFA. This brief period of optimism ended as abruptly as it began, leaving a bitter taste in consumers’ mouths.
Like a spark in the night, the hope for a true democratization of mobile internet in Benin was disconcertingly short-lived. Just three months ago, a wave of enthusiasm swept across social media and online forums. For the first time, the three mobile phone operators in the country—Moov Africa, MTN Benin, and the public operator Celtiis—were offering data packages at unbeatable prices. The prized offering of this restructuring? An unlimited monthly plan available for the modest sum of 5,000 FCFA.
For students, freelancers, digital professionals, and tech-savvy youth, this measure was a lifeline in a tense global economic climate. Access to a high-speed connection without the fear of running out of data too quickly seemed like the long-awaited driver of growth.
But the enchantment was short-lived. Like a house of cards blown away by the wind, this era of digital abundance collapsed overnight. Without prior warning, without an information campaign or any clear explanation, the three telecom giants promptly removed these advantageous offers from their customer catalogs.
Today, the reality is bitter for subscribers: a return to the old plans, considered restrictive and expensive by the majority of the population. The illusion of universally accessible internet has evaporated, giving way to frustration and incomprehension.
« We were given a taste of the comfort of a stress-free connection for a few weeks, only to be plunged back into digital exclusion without the slightest explanation, » laments Hidirou, a young entrepreneur.
This abrupt, collective withdrawal raises numerous questions among the public. Was it simply a technical test? A short-lived marketing campaign to attract new customers? Or a strategic adjustment dictated by underlying regulatory or economic requirements?
For now, the silence of the operators is fueling speculation. Meanwhile, consumer advocacy groups and users of the digital highway are demanding greater transparency regarding mobile data pricing policies.
While Benin aspires to position itself as the digital hub of West Africa, this episode serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of digital inclusion in the country. For the digital transformation to be a lasting success, access to a stable and affordable internet connection cannot be a temporary favor, but rather a basic service guaranteed to the entire population.
✍️ Yaovi Angélo HOUNDJO
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