ECONOMY
Economy in Benin: everything you need to know about Benin's economy. GDP, national income, unemployment rate, domestic production, profitable sector, agriculture, industry, primary and tertiary sectors.
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Senegal: debt, IMF, financial credibility… Dakar tries to regain control
Senegal has redeemed two sovereign bonds denominated in euros and dollars ahead of schedule, just days before a technical mission from the IMF is expected in Dakar in mid-June. This financial gesture occurs in a context of debt under scrutiny,… -
Benin Customs: the new Director General outlines his priorities
Appointed head of the customs administration, Raouf Malèhossou delivered his first official reaction regarding the trust placed in him by the head of state. In a post on his Facebook page, Raouf Malèhossou spoke about his appointment as Director General… -
Citizen budget governance: Benin makes headway in 10 years according to the results of the Open Budget Survey.
Benin confirms its rise in power regarding public finance governance. According to the results of the Open Budget Survey (OBS), reported by several media outlets including Peace FM, the country ranks first in Africa and second globally in terms of… -
Niger: Niamey looks to Algiers to strengthen its oil sector
Niger and Algeria strengthen their cooperation in the oil sector. Three memorandums of understanding were signed in Algiers between Sonatrach and Sonidep, covering exploration, drilling, and distribution of petroleum products, at a time when Niamey seeks to diversify its energy… -
Management 2026: the government submits the draft amendment to the finance bill to the National Assembly
The restructuring of the governmental apparatus following the inauguration of the new President of the Republic, along with the consideration of his priority orientations, necessitates a profound adjustment of the state’s budgetary architecture. These substantial adjustments compared to the initial… -
Benin – Council of Ministers: Albert Montcho and Erick Maxime Akakpo Djihountry appointed to head the Budget and Taxes
At the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, President Romuald Wadagni and his government made several appointments. At the end of today’s cabinet meeting, Albert Montcho was appointed as the Director General of the Budget. He thus assumes responsibility… -
Industrialization in Africa: Benin 24th but making strong progress in WAEMU
Benin ranks 24th among African countries in the 2025 Industrialization Index published by the African Development Bank, with a score of 0.5519 out of 1. But beyond this ranking, the country stands out particularly for one of the most significant… -
Industrialization Index in Africa: Côte d’Ivoire in the top 10 ahead of Nigeria and Ghana
Ivory Coast confirms its rising industrial power on the African continent. According to the 2025 edition of the Industrialization Index in Africa published by the African Development Bank, the country ranks 10th in Africa for the period 2010-2024, with a… -
West Africa: Ivory Coast, the industrial locomotive of a region that has long lagged behind
With a nominal GDP expected to exceed 100 billion dollars by 2026, Côte d’Ivoire is confirming its status as the leading economic power in UEMOA. Driven by cocoa processing, the rise of hydrocarbons, port infrastructure, and steady growth, it is… -
Benin: The National Assembly tightens the legal framework against the refusal of CFA franc banknotes and coins.
A significant reform of monetary law was recently adopted by Beninese lawmakers, strengthening penalties against the refusal to accept banknotes and coins issued by the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO). This vote comes in a context where the… -
Dasa: a $501 million mining project under surveillance in Niamey
General Abdourahamane Tiani met with Stephen G. Roman, CEO of Global Atomic, in Niamey to discuss the Dasa uranium project in the Agadez region. Presented as one of the most advanced high-grade deposits in the world, the site’s commissioning has… -
Modern markets: the Mathieu Kérékou hub renamed Tokpa Yoyo, Akassato becomes Tokpa Daho
The Director-General of the National Agency for Market Management (ANaGeM), Eunice Kiniffo, announced a name change for two major market hubs in the country. According to her, the Mathieu Kérékou commercial hub will bear the name Tokpa Yoyo, while the… -
Benin’s financial administration: Wadagni strengthens oversight of public procurement
Benin is stepping up the pace. By a ministerial decree signed on March 11, 2026, Romuald Wadagni, the Minister of State in charge of the Economy and Finance, has deeply restructured the mechanism responsible for monitoring the application of the… -
Exports to China: the ‘Zero Tariff’ policy as a lever for Benin’s industrialization
From May 1, 2026, China will remove tariffs on African products from 53 partner countries. For Franck Adjagba, Benin’s ambassador to Beijing, this measure is not only commercial; it could become a driver to structurally transform Benin’s economy through industrialization.… -
CES Activity Report: Patrice Talon calls on the institution to confirm its new dynamic
The President of the Republic of Benin, Patrice Talon, received on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at the Palais de la Marina the activity report of the transitional mandate of the Economic and Social Council. The official ceremony took place in… -
Venture capital: Benin at the heart of the Saviu II fund backed by the African Development Bank
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) approved on February 27, 2026 an equity stake of €6.5 million in the capital of the Saviu II fund from its headquarters in Abidjan. This decision marks a major milestone… -
Benin: the ARMP cracks down hard on fraud in public procurement
Through a series of decisions at the start of 2026, the Public Markets Regulatory Authority (ARMP) sanctioned several companies and their leaders for producing falsified documents in the context of public tenders. According to information from Lamarinabj, ARMP investigations revealed… -
Corruption in Africa: Benin ranks higher than Ivory Coast and Nigeria in the CPI 2025
Benin stands out across Africa in the 2025 edition of the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), published recently by the international organization Transparency International. Cet indice, référence mondiale pour mesurer la perception de la corruption dans le secteur public, classe 182… -
International sukuk: Benin issues $500 million, a first in Africa
Benin successfully carried out an international fundraising of $850 million on January 22, 2026, marked by the inaugural issue of a $500 million sovereign Sukuk. A historic operation, the first of its kind for an African state, which demonstrates the… -
Venezuelan oil: two Swiss groups ready to help Washington
Two major Swiss companies specializing in commodity trading have agreed to collaborate with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to facilitate the flow of Venezuelan oil, RFI reported in an article picked up by the international press. This move… -
Benin kicks off 2026 by raising 60 billion FCFA on the regional market
Benin opened 2026 with an auction of 60 billion CFA francs on the regional debt market, on January 7, marking a new step in its financing strategy. According to information reported by Ecofin Agency, the subscription exceeded the proposed amount,… -
Benin: The Public Treasury raises 60 billion CFA francs on the WAEMU financial market.
Benin is actively pursuing its strategy to mobilize internal resources. The Beninese Public Treasury successfully raised 60 billion FCFA on the WAEMU regional financial market, following a public debt issuance operation carried out at the beginning of January 2026. This… -
Electricity: Benin, Niger, and Togo owe Nigeria $17.8 million.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has reported substantial receivables held by Nigeria from three West African countries for electricity supply under cross-border bilateral contracts. According to the report published by the regulatory authority for the third quarter of 2025, Togo,… -
2025 Index of Economic Freedom: Benin stands out among Africa’s most reform-oriented economies
The 2025 edition of the Economic Freedom Index by “The Heritage Fondation”, reported by Agence Ecofin, paints an unflattering picture for the African continent. In the majority of countries, barriers to economic freedom remain strong, driven by persistent corruption, burdensome… -
Lionel Zinsou elected chairman of ShafDB’s Board of Directors
At its 149th meeting held on 11 December 2025 in Nairobi, the Board of Directors of Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) elected former Beninese Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou as the institution’s president. Specializing in housing finance, urban development and related… -
Houègbo toll: two extra lanes for light vehicles starting January 2026
This commissioning responds to the need to improve traffic flow on this major stretch, which regularly faces heavy traffic. The decision aligns with the provisions of Order No. 032 of 29 June 2018, which sets out the rules for collecting… -
Benin: New Board of Directors Installed at the Port of Cotonou
The Autonomous Port of Cotonou has a new Board of Directors. Head of State Patrice Talon appointed seven members by decree on 5 November 2025. Their mission will be to guide and validate strategic decisions aimed at strengthening the port’s… -
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. According to the document presented to parliamentarians, the 2026 draft finance law is… -
Exports: 10 Moroccan agri-food companies on a trade mission to Cotonou
A delegation of about ten Moroccan companies from the agri-food sector is currently on a trade mission in Cotonou. The trip, organized from October 21 to 24, 2025, aims to explore export opportunities and partnerships with Beninese stakeholders. The initiative… -
Benin: ANaGeM opens applications to manage its two new commercial hubs
The National Agency for Market Management (ANaGeM) has launched the selection process for operators who will run its two new major facilities: the Grand Nokoué Agro-Food Hub in Abomey-Calavi and the General Mathieu Kérékou Commercial Hub in Cotonou. Presented as…
