DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN DECENTRALIZED TERRITORIAL COMMUNITIES: TOWARDS A PREDICTIVE MODEL

This article explores the nexus between digital transformation and local governance within the context of West African decentralized administrations, with a particular focus on Benin. Building on national strategies and empirical evidence, the study combines conceptual analysis with a predictive model using artificial intelligence. Data were collected from 77 municipalities in Benin, focusing on digital readiness indicators (e-services, ICT infrastructure, staff training, connectivity, ICT budgets) and governance dimensions (transparency, citizen participation, accountability, efficiency). Machine learning algorithms (Random Forest, Logistic Regression, XGBoost) were employed to establish predictive relationships between digital maturity and governance scores. Results indicate that local digital capacity strongly influences governance performance,with accuracy levels reaching 86%. This research contributes to advancing smart governance models in Sub-Saharan Africa by providing both conceptual and operational tools to strengthen policy-making at the local government level.