Local ownership of development projects remains a critical factor for ensuring their sustainability, especially in African contexts characterized by diverse socio-cultural and economic realities. Through an analysis of the AR Classroom project in Benin, this research highlights the role of design thinking as a methodological approach to enhance community engagement and ensure tailored solutions.

The findings demonstrate that design thinking facilitates a deeper understanding of beneficiaries’ needs, enables the co-creation of contextually relevant solutions, and fosters stakeholder involvement across all phases of project implementation. The case study also illustrates how combining participatory approaches with technological tools like augmented reality can transform educational practices and amplify the impact of development initiatives.

Furthermore, the research proposes the establishment of a Citizen Innovation Lab to expand the application of design thinking to other sectors and regions, emphasizing collaboration between citizens, local authorities, and technical partners. This study offers both theoretical and practical contributions while paving the way for further research to assess the long-term impact of participatory methodologies in sustainable development projects.