Bertin Nahum in Benin: an immersion at the heart of innovation and the talents of tomorrow

A globally recognized figure in the field of medical robotics, Bertin Nahum is staying in Benin from April 20 to 27, 2026. A visit with strong symbolic significance that fits into the national momentum of welcoming personalities of Beninese origin and promoting the country as a destination of excellence, at the crossroads of academic, scientific, industrial, and technological cooperation.

This Friday, the distinguished guest intensified exchanges with several institutional and digital-sector actors at Sofitel hotel. Objective: share experiences and explore new avenues for collaboration in support of the country’s development. At the head of the Société d’investissement et de promotion de l’industrie, Letondji Beheton emphasized the strategic importance of these discussions around the GDIZ special economic zone. According to him, these exchanges pave the way for potential collaboration with the medical robotics specialist, to support the industrial transformation underway for nearly ten years. He also spoke of the desire to establish innovation centers within the GDIZ to facilitate young people’s access to cutting-edge technologies and strengthen industrialization with the support of international experts.

On the digital side, Marc-André Loko, CEO of the Agence des systèmes d’information et du numérique, highlights a meeting focused on sharing experiences and identifying synergies. He stresses the central role of technology in all sectors and underscores the potential of young Beninese talents, especially in artificial intelligence and robotics, urging stronger training from an early age.

The same momentum for Ouanilo Medegan Fagla, CEO of CNIN, who speaks of exchanges centered on valorizing youth and building paths to excellence. The discussions took the form of a brainstorming around challenges, current limits, and solutions drawn from international experiences, with the aim of defining concrete roadmaps for the institutions.

For his part, Bertin Nahum, head of Quantum Surgical, revisits Benin with emotion. While he praises the country’s transformations and dynamism, he believes that his solutions in medical robotics do not necessarily align with current priorities, preferring projects better tailored to the needs of the population.

Beninese talents on display, between student innovation and scientific inspiration

Following these exchanges, the engineer and his hosts, including Lionel Zinsou, president of the Fondation Sèmè City, proceeded to the Lycée international français Pierre Manoël Talon, a breeding ground for future technicians and engineers. Faced with a very impressed delegation, the young talents presented their various projects, including a 3D printer.

Next stop: the University of Abomey-Calavi, where the delegation visited the Unit of Research in Applied Microbiology and Pharmacology of Natural Substances (URMAPha), before hosting a conference with, notably, Professor Victorin Dougnon, Professor Thierry d’Almeida, and Laurent Gangbes, on the theme: “Talents made in Benin: a national economic strength,” in the EPAC conference hall. A talk-debate during which students were nourished by the experience of the robotics genius and his valuable advice. This includes Ms. Mazzitani, senior technician in biomedical and hospital maintenance at EPAC. She is working on an innovative prototype aimed at securing the sound environment of neonatal care rooms.

Her device, still in the experimental phase, can detect and differentiate sounds, notably the cries of infants and the alarms of medical equipment, using artificial intelligence. She notes, however, the need for validations before any use in a hospital setting. The meeting with Bertin Nahum was a major source of inspiration for her. His advice has strengthened her motivation to develop solutions adapted to local realities and to pursue her engagement in biomedical innovation.

Biography of Mr. Bertin Nahum

Bertin Nahum, an engineer who graduated from INSA Lyon, is an entrepreneur specializing in minimally invasive robotic surgery. Founder of Medtech, later sold to Zimmer Biomet, he then co-founded Quantum Surgical, of which he is president. The company, based in Montpellier and Miami, develops Epione, a robotic platform for percutaneous ablation to treat early-stage inoperable tumors. Quantum Surgical acquired NeuWave Medical and became Precision IO Group, aiming to transform interventional oncology. A winner of the 2022 USA Galien Prize, Nahum is a Knight of the Legion of Honor and ranked among the world’s most innovative high-tech entrepreneurs. His career embodies innovation and global leadership in advanced digital health.

Overview of Quantum Surgical

Quantum Surgical is a medical robotics and artificial intelligence company founded in 2017. It employs over 140 people and has offices in Montpellier and Miami. Its Epione platform is dedicated to curative and early treatment of cancers. It offers an innovative approach aimed at democratizing access to less invasive care. More than 1,400 patients have already been treated worldwide. The company won the 2022 USA Galien Prize. It acquired NeuWave Medical and now forms Precision IO Group with that company. It aims to transform oncology standards through ongoing innovation.