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Donor support will be key to Benin’s recovery

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Subject

Benin's development challenges.

Significance

Nine months after the business tycoon Patrice Talon became president of Benin, his government is pursuing a development programme costing 9 trillion CFA francs (14.4 billion dollars). Much of this five-year “Benin Revealed” programme announced last month must be funded through commercial investment. Talon’s government faces significant economic challenges as fiscal reforms in Nigeria have weakened Cotonou’s position as a regional trade gateway.

Impacts

  • Popular pressure will grow on parliamentarians to declare their assets, following the president’s lead in November.
  • Donor demanded anti-corruption measures will face resistance from entrenched business and political interests.
  • The government will press Nigeria for a phased introduction of trade policy changes.
  • Stalling government reform could prompt deeper media inquiries into Talon’s business interests.

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