Budget 2026: Benin is banking on growth, social development and structural transformation
The Beninese government presented to MPs the main orientations of the draft finance law (PLF) 2026, with a balanced budget estimated at 3 783,984 milliards de FCFA.
SUMMARY
According to the document presented to parliamentarians, the 2026 draft finance law is based on a growth assumption of 7.5%, driven by the agricultural sector, industrialization and port infrastructure.
Inflation is projected at around 2%, well below the 3% threshold set by UEMOA. The targeted budget deficit is 2.7% of GDP, as part of a debt sustainability approach.
A strong social emphasis
The 2026 budget allocates 42% of its expenditures to social components, a deliberate choice by the State to promote equity and social justice. Among the priorities are:
- The expansion of the food supplement program for pregnant and breastfeeding women and children up to the first 1,000 days of life.
- The rollout of school canteens in public preschools and primary schools.
- Strengthening technical education, modernizing health infrastructure and developing the digital sector.
The government intends to diversify the economy through:
Structural investments
The transformation of the industrial fabric, more efficient port infrastructure, tourism development, and the creation of synergies in the areas of energy, water and transport are among the major investments included in the draft.
Responsible and sustainable management
It should also be noted that the 2026 PLF provides for:
- an increase in the tax contribution rate from 13.9% in 2025 to 14.4% in 2026, without creating new taxes.
- control of the wage bill within the limits recommended by UEMOA.
- controlled borrowing, through strategies of progressive deficit reduction and a prudent debt policy.
In the context of general elections in 2026, the Government plans budgetary resources to ensure the smooth conduct of the process.
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