Benin: official banned for ten years, two public contracts to be annulled

The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (ARMP) has banned Séverine Akouavi Bahounon, the Public Procurement Officer (PRMP) at the Ministry of Energy, Water and Mines, from public procurement for ten years. The decision, made on August 13, 2026, and published on September 17, mandates the annulment of two procurement operations initiated by the ministry.

The ban is effective from August 18, 2026, to August 17, 2036. During this period, Bahounon is prohibited from holding any position in the public procurement process in Benin and from applying for public contracts either as an individual consultant or as a staff member of a company.

The Regulatory Council states that it has identified violations of advertising rules in two open tenders launched on August 28, 2025. In its ruling, the ARMP asserts that these irregularities undermined the principles of free access, equal treatment, and transparency that govern public procurement.

The first case involves the supply and installation of solar equipment aimed at providing energy access to sensitive services at the CHUD of Abomey. The project was expected to reduce the facility’s electricity bills by 44%. The ARMP has ordered the contracting authority to cancel the corresponding procurement procedure.

The second case pertains to the renovation and construction of a vocational training center dedicated to ornamental stones. For this contract, the regulator has ordered the annulment of the contract resulting from the procurement process.

However, the decision distinguishes the situation of the Delegate for Public Procurement Control at the ministry at the time of the events, Sonagnon Luc Davy Gnanvi. The ARMP indicates that the violation of advertising rules has not been established against him.

The decision is rendered in first instance. The parties involved have one month from the notification of the decision to appeal to the Administrative Chamber of the Supreme Court.