Benin: The African Development Fund has approved an additional $28 million in financing for Benin to further support the Economic Governance and Private Sector Development Support Programme (PAGE-DSP).
According to African Press Organization, the funding was approved by the Board of Directors of the African Development Fund on November 24, 2025. This financial support follows the successful implementation of phases I and II in 2023 and 2024, respectively, and aims to bolster Benin's private sector's contribution to the national economy. The program focuses on improving the business climate, strengthening Special Economic Zones, supporting the agro-industrial sector, and enhancing climate resilience.
"This additional funding concludes the exemplary implementation of the first two phases of the programme by the Government of the Republic of Benin," stated Robert Masumbuko, the African Development Bank Group's Country Manager in Benin. The program is expected to yield significant outcomes by 2025, including an increase in private investment to 35.5 percent of GDP, up from 29.9 percent in 2022. Additionally, investment in the Glo-Djigbé Special Economic Zone is anticipated to rise to 23 billion CFA francs, approximately $40.5 million, compared to 11 billion CFA francs, about $19.3 million in 2021. The value added by agri-food industries is also projected to increase to 7.7 percent of GDP in 2025 from 6.1 percent in 2022.
"This programme consolidates the results of the first two phases, which totalled approximately $100 million," remarked Ammar Kessab, Senior Programme Manager at the African Development Bank. To achieve these objectives, several initiatives will be implemented. Notably, the Council of Ministers will adopt a decree on the National Competition Authority to define its powers, composition, and funding. This will enable the Authority to contribute to national competition policy and ensure free competition. Additionally, the Directorate for the Promotion of E-commerce will implement the National E-commerce Strategy 2025-2029.
Another significant measure is the update of the gender assessment in the agricultural sector to align it with the "gender-responsive budgeting" approach. Previously, the gender assessment did not incorporate this budgeting approach, now required for all sectoral ministries. This update will allow the State to more effectively target interventions aimed at women.