Benin: summary of the Council of Ministers meeting on Wednesday, November 5, 2025

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I- Regulatory measures.

I-1. Transmission to the National Assembly, for examination and vote, of the draft law establishing the Forests and Wildlife Code in the Republic of Benin.

The laws regulating the forestry sector in our country are scattered and deal separately with specific areas related to flora, fauna, international trade in animal and plant species, and natural pastures and grazing areas.

In this regard, Law No. 93-009 of 2 July 1993 establishing the forests regime in the Republic of Benin, which is the reference, should be updated in light of developments recorded over the years.

Therefore, it proved appropriate to consolidate all legal texts into a single code that covers all areas of governance of the forestry sector to ensure overall coherence. 

I-2. Institutionalization of Regional Economic Hubs for light industry and agro-industry.

In line with its industrial promotion policy, the Government has, pursuant to Law No. 2022-38 of 3 January 2023 establishing the regime for special economic zones in the Republic of Benin, put in place a physical framework for the development of industries that have access to them.

Just a few years later, it is encouraging to note that the Glo-Djigbé special economic zone is experiencing remarkable growth, a dynamic that will be reinforced by those of Sèmè-Podji and Kétou. 

To consolidate the benefits of this policy, it has become essential to establish, regionally, a model physical framework for the development of companies approved under the Investment Code and operating in sectors dedicated to agro-industry and light industry but which, due to their size and/or activities, cannot access the special economic zones.

This is what motivates the creation of Regional Economic Hubs under the responsibility of administrative and regulatory Authorities. They will have specific missions including, notably, conducting feasibility studies, selecting sites and zoning layouts.

This decree specifies the implementation modalities, the expected effect of which is balanced territorial development. 

I-3. Creation of the Forest Development Company (SODEF S.A) and approval of its statutes.

In continuing the restructuring of the timber sector to further promote the production of energy wood, this company will work to contribute to the development of a local economy with the inclusion of neighboring communities. It will seek to preserve climate and environmental concerns such as carbon sequestration, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and the protection of biodiversity and soils. 

Similarly, economic issues will be taken into account through the production of timber, wood processing with the resulting job creation; the sustainable management and exploitation of classified forests and other forest areas placed under its management by the Directorate-General of Water, Forests and Hunting. 

These interventions also involve securing the State’s forest domain, monitoring, establishing forest plantations and exploiting the products derived from them, in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals and the country’s forestry policy.

In the long term, better results are expected in the development and enhancement of forest products meeting the need for sustainable management of the forests under its supervision.

To do this, SODEF S.A. will take over the responsibilities of the National Wood Company (SONAB).

The minister in charge of Sustainable Development will, in coordination with the other ministers concerned, take the necessary measures for its operationalization.

Other regulatory measures adopted include decrees concerning :

• transmission to the National Assembly, for examination and vote, of the draft law relating to the suppression of counterfeiting and other offenses against monetary instruments in the Republic of Benin ;
• mandate, organization and functioning of the State Legal Agency ;
• approval of the amended statutes of the Beninese Electricity Company (SBEE) S.A.

II- Communications.

II-1. Conducting studies for the construction or rehabilitation of eighty (80) water retention basins in various localities of Benin.

These studies contribute to the development of the country’s hydro-agricultural potential with a view to promoting irrigation practices through full control of water. The objective is to strengthen the resilience capacities of our agriculture and increase its competitiveness. 

To this end, the construction of sixty agropastoral water retention basins and the rehabilitation of twenty others distributed across several departments and municipalities is planned.

The Council gave its agreement to contract with a consortium of specialized firms to carry out these tasks. 

II-2. Contracting with various companies as part of the project to construct the headquarters of the Regulatory Institutions in Cotonou.

It is a real estate complex of type R+8 with a basement used as parking, located on an area of 9821 m2, which will provide both a comfortable working environment for the staff of the said institutions and easier access for users. 

III- International meetings and events.

Under this heading the following were authorized :

• our country’s participation in the 54th ordinary session of the Board of Directors of the Inter-State School of Veterinary Sciences and Medicine of Dakar, from 17 to 21 November 2025 in Lomé, Togo ; and
• the organization in Benin of a conference on Housing in Francophone Africa, from 5 to 7 February 2026.

Done at Cotonou, 5 November 2025, 

The Secretary-General of the Government,

Edouard OUIN-OURO.