Privacy Policy

1- Definitions

For the purposes of this Privacy Policy, the following definitions apply:

Personal Data: Any information, regardless of its nature or format, including audio and visual data, relating to an identified or identifiable natural person. This refers to any data that can directly or indirectly identify a person, through an identification number or one or more elements specific to them. Identification can be established using the means available to or accessible by the data controller or any other person.

Processing: Any operation or set of operations performed on personal data, whether or not by automated means, such as collection, use, recording, organization, structuring, storage, adaptation, alteration, retrieval, backup, copying, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or any other form of making available, alignment or combination, as well as restriction, encryption, erasure or destruction.

Data Controller: Any natural or legal person, public authority, service, or other body or association that alone or jointly determines the purposes and means of processing personal data.

Processor: Any natural or legal person, public or private entity, or other body or association that processes personal data on behalf of the Data Controller. The processor is subject to the same obligations as the data controller.

Data Subjects: Any natural person whose personal data is being processed.

Data Protection Authority (APDP): An independent administrative authority responsible for ensuring that the processing of personal data is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Data Protection Officer: A person responsible for ensuring the application of personal data protection regulations within the organization (here, SIPI-BENIN ) and for reporting to the APDP to which they are accountable.

Account: Refers to a unique account created to allow You to access our Service or parts of our Service.

Company: (referred to as either “the Company”, “We”, “Us” or “Our” in this Privacy Policy) refers to SIPI-BENIN.

Cookies: Small files that are placed on your computer, mobile device or any other device by a website, containing details of your browsing history on that website among its many uses.

Country: Refers to Benin.

Device: Refers to any device that can access the Service such as a computer, a cellphone, or a digital tablet.

Service: Refers to the Website.

Website: Refers to GDIZ BENIN, accessible from https://gdiz-benin.com/

You: Refers to the individual accessing or using the Service, or the company, or other legal entity on behalf of which such individual is accessing or using the Service, as applicable.

2- Scope of the Policy

This privacy policy defines the principles governing the management of personal data collected and processed by SIPI-BENIN in the context of the use of its website.

Developed with respect for human dignity, fundamental rights, privacy, and individual and public freedoms, this policy aims to inform users of the SIPI-BENIN website about the nature of the personal data collected, the measures implemented to ensure its confidentiality and security, as well as the rights they hold.

It specifically outlines how user data is collected, used, stored, and, where applicable, shared with third parties in strict compliance with the applicable regulations.

This policy applies to any natural person accessing or using the SIPI-BENIN website, whether visitors, prospects, partners, or any other person whose data may be processed through the site.

Each user is encouraged to read this policy carefully in order to be fully informed about how their personal data is used and, where applicable, to make an informed decision on whether to provide such data and authorize its processing by SIPI-BENIN.

3- Data Controller

The Data Controller responsible for the processing of personal data is:

Company: SIPI-BENIN (Industrial Promotion and Investment Company – Public Limited Company), represented by its General Manager, Mr. Létondji BEHETON

Registered Office: Ilot C/SB, Tangbo-Djèvié, Parcel F-1, Government Property, Zè
Email: Letondji.beheton@arisenet.com

Trade Register Number (RCCM): RB/COT/20 B 27527

4- Legal Bases for the Processing of Personal Data and Purposes

By accessing the SIPI-BENIN website and interacting with its online services, users may voluntarily provide certain personal data (via contact forms, job applications, subscriptions, etc.). In addition, some data may also be collected automatically while browsing the site (cookies, connection data, etc.).

SIPI-BENIN places great importance on protecting the privacy of users of its website. It ensures that only data strictly necessary for the proper functioning of the site and the improvement of the services offered is collected, prohibiting any unjustified mass data collection.

The personal data collected through the website may be processed on different legal grounds, depending on the intended purpose:

• User consent, for example when submitting a contact form, subscribing to a newsletter, applying for a job posted on the site, or using certain features of the site that require the collection of personal information.
• Performance of contractual obligations or pre-contractual measures taken at the user’s request (e.g., requesting information or a quote through the site).
• SIPI-BENIN ’s legitimate interests, notably to ensure the proper technical functioning of the site, improve the user experience, maintain site security, or analyze website traffic statistics.
• Compliance with legal obligations, particularly those related to data protection regulations, fraud prevention, or specific industry requirements.

In all cases, the data collected through the website is processed solely for specific, explicit, and legitimate purposes. If further use of the data for other purposes is considered, users will be informed in advance, and their consent will be sought where required.

5- Collection and Use of Your Personal Data

a. Types of data collected

As part of the use of its website, SIPI-BENIN may collect various categories of personal data, either directly when you voluntarily provide them (via a form, registration, job application, etc.), or automatically during your browsing.

Some data may be required to access certain online services offered by SIPI-BENIN. Without this information, certain features or interactions may not be accessible.

The personal data that may be collected through the website includes, in particular:

• Contact details: name, surname, email address, phone number, postal address.
• Usage data : IP address, browser type, pages visited, visit duration, device identifiers.
• Technical data: operating system, device type, network information, location (if enabled).
• Marketing preferences: explicit consent to receive newsletters, responses to marketing communications.

b. Purposes of Processing your Personal Data

These data may be used for purposes such as:

• Processing your requests (contact, application, information).
• Managing interactions via SIPI-BENIN ‘s digital platforms.
• Improving the website and user experience.
• Delivering personalized or targeted content (with your consent).
• Complying with legal and regulatory obligations.

c. Sharing of Personal Data

The data collected through the website may be shared with the following entities or service providers, strictly to the necessary extent:

• Service providers: hosting, cloud storage, traffic analysis tools, security or technical maintenance providers.
• Affiliated companies of SIPI-BENIN or Arise IIP, solely for operational, regulatory, or service improvement purposes, in accordance with this policy.
• Administrative or judicial authorities, where legally required.
• Other third parties only with your prior consent, and for clearly defined purposes.

d. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

SIPI-BENIN uses cookies and other tracking technologies to enhance the user experience, analyze traffic, and personalize site content.

The technologies we use may include:

• Cookies or browser cookies: A cookie is a small text file stored on your device when you visit a website. You can configure your browser to refuse all cookies or to alert you when a cookie is being sent. However, if you choose to disable cookies, some parts or features of our site may not function properly. Unless you have configured your browser to block cookies, our website may use them.
• Flash cookies: Certain features of our service may use locally stored objects, also known as Flash cookies, to remember your preferences or track your activity on our site. Unlike regular cookies, Flash cookies are not managed by your browser’s default settings. Additionally, some pages of our site or emails may contain small electronic files such as web beacons (also known as pixel tags or clear GIFs). These technologies help count users who have visited a page or opened an email and collect other statistical data (e.g., measuring the popularity of content or ensuring system and server integrity).
• Session cookies: These cookies are essential to provide you with services available through the website and to enable you to use certain features. They help authenticate users and prevent fraudulent use of user accounts. Without these cookies, the services you have requested cannot be provided, and we use these cookies only to provide those services. They are automatically deleted when you close your browser.
• persistent cookies: These cookies remain on your device even after you close your browser. They are used to remember certain information to enhance your browsing experience. They may:
  • Store your consent to the use of cookies on our site.
  • Remember your preferences (such as selected language or login information) so you don’t have to re-enter them each time you visit.

These cookies allow for smoother, more personalized navigation tailored to your habits. They are retained until their set expiration date or until manually deleted by the user.

• Performance and analytics cookies: These cookies collect information about how visitors use our website, which pages are visited most often, and if visitors receive error messages from web pages. These cookies help us improve our website.
• Advertising and targeting cookies: These cookies are used to deliver advertisements more relevant to you and your interests. They also limit how many times you see an ad and help measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.

For more information about the cookies, we use and your choices regarding cookies, please refer to our Cookie Policy or the Cookies section of our Privacy Policy.

6- Securing, Communication, and Transfer of Personal Data Processed

When collecting and processing personal data via its website, SIPI-BENIN makes every effort to ensure their security and confidentiality. Appropriate technical and organizational measures are put in place to protect the data from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, accidental loss, or unlawful destruction.

SIPI-BENIN is committed to ensuring that the processing carried out via its website is lawful, fair, transparent, and limited to specific purposes, in accordance with the provisions of the Digital Code of Benin and other applicable laws regarding the protection of personal data.

Access to the personal data collected via the website is strictly limited to authorized members of SIPI-BENIN, who are bound by confidentiality agreements. These data may also be shared, if necessary, with trusted partners (including technical service providers), provided they comply with the security and confidentiality standards imposed.

Furthermore, SIPI-BENIN does not sell any personal data collected via its website. The data is hosted on servers located in [indicate the country]. However, some data may be transferred abroad, in compliance with legal obligations or when such transfer is justified by SIPI-BENIN ‘s legitimate interest and subject to appropriate safeguards.

In the case of the transfer or communication of personal data, the potential recipients are, in particular:

• Technical service providers responsible for hosting, maintaining, or analyzing the website.
• Affiliated companies of SIPI-BENIN or the Arise IIP group, for strictly operational or regulatory needs.
• Competent authorities, if required by law.

These recipients are contractually bound by strict security and confidentiality obligations and may only use the data for the specific purposes authorized by SIPI-BENIN.

Although SIPI-BENIN takes all reasonable measures to protect personal data, no system is entirely immune from potential incidents. Therefore, SIPI-BENIN is committed to being transparent and responding promptly in the event of a data breach.

In the event of an incident affecting the security of personal data (unauthorized access, loss, disclosure, etc.), SIPI-BENIN will:

• Notify the Data Protection Authority (APDP) and other competent authorities within the required timeframes, in accordance with the Digital Code of Benin.
• Provide the authorities with essential details related to the incident: the nature of the affected data, the number of individuals impacted, potential consequences, and the measures taken to address the issue
• Inform the affected individuals as soon as possible if the breach is likely to cause significant harm, so they can take the necessary steps to protect themselves.

SIPI-BENIN may also engage third parties or service providers to collect or process data via its website. If you have reason to believe that an abuse or violation of your privacy could result from any of these processes, we strongly encourage you to inform us as soon as possible. We are committed to handling all reports diligently, in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

7- Duration of Retention and Storage of Personal Data

The personal data collected through our website is retained only for the duration necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, as defined in this privacy policy.

We may also retain certain personal data to fulfill our legal obligations, resolve any disputes, enforce our contractual commitments, and comply with the requirements of competent authorities, in accordance with applicable laws.

Usage data (such as browsing logs or technical information) is typically retained for a shorter period, unless it is necessary to enhance the security, optimize the performance of our site, or comply with legal retention obligations that require a longer period.

When the retention of data is no longer justified by a legal or operational purpose, it is securely deleted or anonymized.

For more information regarding retention periods, you may contact the DPO (Data Protection Officer) of SIPI-BENIN and/or the data controller using the contact details provided in Section 12 of this policy (under the “Contact Us” section).

8- Users’ Rights Regarding Their Personal Data

SIPI-BENIN attaches particular importance to respecting the rights of users of its website regarding the protection of personal data. In this regard, it commits to strictly complying with the provisions of the Code du numérique of Benin and ensuring that data subjects can exercise their rights in full transparency.

Users of the website have the following rights:

• Right to information: Users are clearly and beforehand informed about the collection and use of their personal data.
• Right to consent and withdrawal: Processing based on consent is only carried out after the user has explicitly agreed. Users can withdraw their consent at any time, without justification.
• Right of access: Users can request to know whether SIPI-BENIN holds personal data about them and obtain a copy of it.
• Right to data portability: Users can receive their personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format, and transfer it to another data controller without hindrance.
• Right to inquiry: Any person can inquire with SIPI-BENIN about the ongoing processing of their personal data.
• Right to object: Users can object at any time, for legitimate reasons, to the processing of their data, particularly for commercial prospecting purposes.
• Right to rectification and deletion: Users can request the correction of inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated data, or its deletion as provided by law.
• Right to be forgotten Users can request the removal of links to pages containing their personal data when they appear in search results.
• Right to compensation: In case of material or moral damage resulting from a violation of applicable personal data laws, the user can seek compensation from SIPI-BENIN.
• Right to Appeal to the Data Protection Authority (APDP): If users believe that their rights have not been respected, they can contact the APDP at any time.

Legitimate and reasonable requests are processed free of charge. However, SIPI-BENIN reserves the right to refuse manifestly abusive requests (repetitive, technically excessive, infringing on others’ rights, or legally unfounded).

To exercise these rights, users may contact us through the channels provided in the “Contact” section.

9- Protection of Children’s Privacy

Our website is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from minors in this age group. If you are a parent or legal guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information without your consent, we encourage you to contact us immediately.

If we learn that personal data has been collected from a child under the age of 13 without parental verification or consent, we will take the necessary steps to delete this information from our systems as soon as possible.

Furthermore, if the processing of personal data is based on consent and the legislation of the user’s country of residence requires parental consent for minors, we reserve the right to request prior parental authorization before collecting or using the data.

10- Links to Other Websites

Our website may contain links to other websites or services operated by third parties. By clicking on any of these links, you will be redirected to an external platform that is beyond our control. We strongly encourage you to review the privacy policy of each website you visit.

SIPI-BENIN disclaims any responsibility for the content, practices, or privacy policies of these third-party websites or services. Accessing these websites is done at your own risk.

11- Modification and Amendments to the Policy

This privacy policy may be updated at any time to reflect changes in our practices regarding the collection, use, or processing of personal data, or due to modifications related to our digital services.

Any substantial changes made to this policy will be clearly communicated on our website to ensure that you are informed of the most recent version in effect.

Despite any potential changes, SIPI-BENIN is committed to respecting the rights of the individuals concerned, in accordance with the provisions of the Digital Code of Benin and ensuring the continuous protection of your personal data.

12- Contact Us

Users may exercise their rights and submit any questions by contacting:

• Data Controller

Company: SIPI-BENIN (Société d’investissement et de Promotion de l’Industrie Bénin – Public Limited Company)
whose legal representative is Mr. Létondji BEHETON, Managing Director

Registered Office: Ilot C/SB, Tangbo-Djèvié, Plot F-1, State-Owned Property, Zè – Benin
Email: Letondji.beheton@arisenet.com
Trade Registry Number (RCCM): RB/COT/20 B 27527

• Data Protection Officer (DPO):

DPO SIPI-BENIN
Address: Ilot C/SB, Tangbo-Djèvié, Plot F-1, State-Owned Property, Zè – Benin
Email: marlyne.guedegbe@arisenet.com