The Episcopal Conference of Benin (CEB) is sounding the alarm over the persistent poverty affecting a large portion of the population.
At the conclusion of its 75th ordinary plenary session, held from May 21 to 23, 2025, the Catholic institution called for a national mobilization to build a fairer society focused on human dignity.
In the final communiqué released on Thursday, Benin’s bishops expressed deep concern over the “ongoing precarity affecting a significant segment of the population,” despite the government’s efforts in economic and social development.
“Despite the efforts made by the authorities to develop the country, many families still struggle to meet their basic and vital needs,” lamented the CEB.
According to the bishops, this situation increases the vulnerability of certain social groups, exposing them to various forms of exploitation and posing a direct threat to social peace.
A call for national unity in the face of social challenges
Remaining true to its mission of moral and social guidance, the Catholic Church in Benin urged political leaders, economic players, civil society organizations, and all citizens of goodwill to join forces in building a more just and supportive society.
“The Church calls on competent authorities, political, economic, and social actors, as well as all citizens of goodwill, to intensify efforts to build a more equitable and united society that places the human person at the center of all action,” the official statement reads.
This appeal comes amid a steady rise in the cost of living, which continues to erode household purchasing power and widen social inequalities. In January 2025, a report from the Ministry of Economy and Finance already noted a 12.6% increase in the prices of essential goods compared to the previous year.