"Benin Revealed": The New Concept of the Government's Action Program 2016-2021

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President Talon's Government Action Program, presented to the people of Benin on Friday, December 16, 2016, summarizes the "Benin Revealed" Program, the government's roadmap for the period 2017-2021. It is based on a panel of 45 flagship projects, supplemented by 95 sectoral projects and 19 institutional reforms. It is divided into three pillars and seven strategic areas. Launched almost simultaneously and rapidly, the various projects aim for Benin's economic and social transformation.

 

Pillar 1: Consolidating Democracy, the Rule of Law, and Good Governance

 

Benin's democratic and institutional stability is recognized internationally. It already constitutes a strong asset for the country, a true guarantee of confidence to be used in the service of its development.

 

However, the exercise of executive power over the past 26 years has shown that the Constitution of December 11, 1990, does not ensure an optimal balance of powers and checks and balances; the overpowering power of the President of the Republic in the face of countervailing institutions constitutes a weakness.

 

In this regard, the Government's objective is to perpetuate the country's democratic stability, optimize institutional balance, and make Benin a model of good governance in Africa, while ensuring more effective implementation of public policies.

 

Thus, a comprehensive institutional and political reform is planned. The objective is to revise the Constitution and establish legal instruments favorable to human, social, and economic development. Improving administrative governance is one of the priorities in this area.

 

Strategic Axis 1: Strengthening the Foundations of Democracy and the Rule of Law

 

This will include, in particular, a revision of the Constitution, the strengthening of checks and balances, and better access to justice.

 

Strategic Axis 2: Improving Governance

 

This will include, among other things, the computerization and dematerialization of the administration (smart government), as well as the merger of the gendarmerie and the national police. Furthermore, diplomacy will be used for development purposes to better promote Benin's economic potential to the world. Finally, the partnership pact signed between the Government and the diaspora will be implemented: direct investment facilitation in Benin will be granted, and the skills and talents of Beninese abroad will be promoted.

 

Pillar 2: Initiating the Structural Transformation of the Economy

 

This pillar is at the heart of the "Benin Revealed" Program. It is by thoroughly reforming our economy that we will be able to create the necessary conditions to improve the daily lives of the Beninese people. Thus, the program will implement the necessary structural reforms to strengthen the public financial management system and improve the business climate.

A sound and stable macroeconomic framework is not only essential for growth and improving social well-being in the medium term, but it will also support the massive investment program over the five-year period. It is an essential lever for mobilizing the necessary financial resources.

Rigor in the use of public resources, the consolidation of financial institutions, and a new environment that generates economic dynamism will all be assets that will help increase domestic resources. This will also restore the credibility of the Beninese economic signature. Actions here will stem from three strategic areas:

 

Strategic Area 3: Improving the Macroeconomic Framework and Maintaining Stability

 

This will include the adoption of a unified regulatory framework for public-private partnerships, the modernization and professionalization of the public procurement system, improved budget transparency, tax incentives for private investment, the acceleration of sub-regional integration, and the promotion of the manufacturing industry, primarily to supply the sub-regional market.

 

Strategic Area 4: Improving Economic Growth

 

Economic recovery will rely on strategic sectors that are currently undervalued, despite their strong potential.

 

Focus: Strategic Sectors for Economic Recovery

 

Digital Economy

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The Government of Benin aims to use ICT (Information and Communication Technology) as a catalyst for economic growth and modernization in Benin to accelerate economic growth and promote social inclusion by 2021. The goal is to transform Benin into a digital services platform for all of West Africa in the medium term.

 

This new strategy will rely, in particular, on massive infrastructure development and widespread broadband access, with a view to achieving an 80% coverage rate, as well as on strengthening and revitalizing the sector. All of this will double the size of the market and create 90,000 direct net jobs in ICT.

 

Agriculture

 

To make the agricultural sector the main driver of economic development, wealth creation, and job creation, the Government will create seven regional agricultural development hubs and promote the development of high-value-added sectors: pineapple, cashew, cotton, corn, cassava, and rice.

 

To support massive investment in the agricultural sector, the Government plans to create research facilities specific to each sector and agricultural vocational schools for each agricultural development hub. Particular emphasis will also be placed on instruments and measures that encourage private investment in the agricultural and rural sectors. This will result, among other things, in the development of 6,000 hectares of arable land in the Ouémé Valley to encourage the establishment of 2,500 young agricultural entrepreneurs.

 

Tourism and Culture

 

In Benin, tourism's contribution of 0.7% to GDP appears quite modest. Paradoxically, Benin is one of the African countries with exceptional tourism potential. The new government's ambition is to make tourism a sector of economic development, creating wealth and jobs, and a tool for Benin's international influence.

To achieve this goal, Benin has many assets, including the richest wildlife and natural park in West Africa (Pendjari and Parc W), the remains and memory of the slave trade, which will be used to rebuild the historic city of Ouidah, and the largest lakeside city in Africa (Ganvié).

 

Transportation

 

Benin, thanks to its geographical position, constitutes a natural corridor connecting several West African countries. To capitalize on this strategic asset, the government will make transportation infrastructure an important lever to support economic growth and facilitate export development. Particular emphasis will be placed on improving transport, logistics, and trade infrastructure, notably through:

The modernization and expansion of the Autonomous Port of Cotonou;

The redevelopment of the road network around the Autonomous Port of Cotonou;

The construction of a new international airport in Glo-Djigbé;

The rehabilitation, modernization, and expansion of the national road network by approximately 1,362 km.

 

Energy and Mining

 

To establish a largely autonomous and competitive energy system and provide reliable, high-quality electricity to Benin's production units and population, the Government plans to modernize and expand the thermal power sector.

The development of renewable energy, with the installation of photovoltaic farms with a total capacity of 95 MW, is also one of the options being considered to strengthen Benin's energy capacity. Finally, for the Government, harnessing the potential of the subsoil requires developing the country's mining resources.

 

Crafts

 

The Government's Program will increase production in the crafts sector. It aims not only to build, expand, and equip infrastructure to support the development of crafts, but also to strengthen the technical capabilities of craftspeople.

 

Strategic Axis 5: Improving Education Performance

 

The education system will be rebuilt and modernized through the development of new governance and the improvement of teaching quality, adapting the education system to the needs of the country and businesses, and strengthening scientific research.

 

Pillar 3: Improving the Living Conditions of the Population

 

The lack of social protection undermines the financial resources of Beninese citizens, particularly the poorest. In terms of health, the population remains left to its own devices, with an ineffective emergency policy. The population's living conditions are precarious due to delays in organizing the supply of drinking water and energy, in land use planning, and in resolving sanitation problems. Finally, the sports and recreation sector is unstructured, even though it could be a tool for human, social, and economic development.

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The Government has made improving the population's living conditions a priority in the "Benin Revealed" Program. This will include the implementation of a new social protection policy and access to basic social services for all citizens. In particular, the State will assume responsibility for social protection for the most disadvantaged.

 

It will implement a policy to support the population in creating income-generating activities through continuing education, entrepreneurship, and the provision of microcredit to finance specific projects. This component, dedicated to improving living conditions, is structured around two (2) strategic axes:

 

Strategic Axis 6: Strengthening Basic Social Services and Social Protection

 

This includes the establishment of infrastructure and equipment for health, access to water and electricity, and the recruitment of doctors in all communities to facilitate access to care. In addition, the adoption of a new legislative and regulatory framework will enable the implementation of a social protection mechanism including a policy of individual contributions for beneficiaries, supplemented by a state subsidy.

 

This will also involve the introduction of the Human Capital Reinforcement Insurance (ARCH), which includes four benefits for farmers, traders, transporters, artists, and artisans. A one-stop shop for employment promotion will also be created to improve employment support services.

 

Regarding the sports component, university, military, and municipal associations will be created, and 12 sports academies will be established to support talent at the departmental level.

 

Strategic Axis 7: Balanced and Sustainable Development of the National Space

 

This will notably result in significant action in the area of balanced and sustainable development of the national space, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The preferred areas of intervention are: the implementation of major urban projects improving the living environment of populations, economic development, strengthening local democracy, correcting spatial disparities and reducing inequalities in terms of access to public services.

ues.