On the sidelines of the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, Benin concluded three financing agreements for a total amount of 249,5 billion FCFA with the Islamic Development Bank (BID) and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA). Signed on October 12 and 13, 2026 in Bangkok, these agreements aim to finance road infrastructure, support agricultural productivity, and expand access to electricity in several localities of the country.
The transport sector accounts for the bulk of this package, with 201,3 billion FCFA provided by the BID for the development of the Godomey–Ouidah–Hillacondji axis, approximately 94 kilometers long. Located on the Abidjan–Lagos corridor, this route is an important link for trade in West Africa.
The work is intended to expand the relevant sections to four lanes, in order to streamline traffic and improve links between Cotonou and Lomé.
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This contribution is part of a broader program whose financing involves several institutions. The BOAD has already mobilized 60 billion FCFA for the Ouidah–Guézin section, 14 kilometers long, while financing of 111,9 billion FCFA from the African Development Bank (BAD) is currently under review for the Comè–Grand-Popo stretch, covering 18,5 kilometers.
In total, 373,2 billion FCFA are planned for this entire road axis.
Agriculture, for its part, benefits from funding of 12,5 billion FCFA intended to sustainably improve soil fertility through legume-based crops. Deployed in five agricultural development hubs covering 48 communes, the program aims to increase yields, strengthen the income of smallholders, and improve food security.
It also intends to make production systems more resilient to the effects of climate change, in a context marked by soil depletion.
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The third agreement concerns electricity distribution. The BADEA is providing 35,75 billion FCFA to the Project to Support the Development of the Electricity Sector in Benin (PADSBEE), which provides for the extension and modernization of the network in 127 localities.
The objective is to connect 61 127 households, public services, and 4 300 very small businesses. Seven departments are involved, namely Alibori, Atacora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Ouémé, and Plateau.
The project is also expected to contribute to the development of activities related to the cotton industry.
These agreements are part of Benin's strategy to diversify its financial partners, as it seeks to mobilize external resources to support its structural investments. Beyond the amounts committed, the expected benefits will depend on the effective implementation of the infrastructure and its capacity to improve trade, agricultural production, and the population's access to energy.
Fanuelle YAO
Published on 14/10/26 16:33
The Editorial Staff