Benin
In Benin, Swiss international cooperation focuses on poverty reduction to support public and private stakeholders in their efforts to develop a nation of solidarity, progress and social justice. Activities currently focus on local governance, rural economic development, basic education and vocational skills development.
Context Benin
Benin occupies a strategic position in West Africa, connecting the Sahel to the Gulf of Guinea. With a quickly growing population and a resource-poor subsoil, the country struggles to provide services that meet its population’s needs in quantitative and qualitative terms. Benin’s economy is mainly based on agriculture, especially cotton, and trade linked to the port of Cotonou. Although Benin has no longer been one of the world’s 25 poorest countries since 2020, there is still considerable inequality: growth is not very inclusive and households living on low incomes still represent a large percentage in rural and peri-urban areas. Benin is also facing growing insecurity, especially in the north.
Switzerland is focusing its work on the border departments of Borgou, Alibori, Atacora and Donga in the country’s north.
Decentralisation and local governance
The SDC supports the decentralisation of state structures in line with the efforts of the Benin government. This approach aims to get closer to citizens and better meet their needs by improving the quality of the services offered. The SDC works with local authorities and civil society organisations to:
- strengthen local capacities to manage and build social infrastructure;
- support the transfer of financial resources from the central government to municipalities;
- support community radio stations that keep the public informed;
- organise public meetings to enable elected representatives to communicate with citizens;
- strengthen gender equality in Beninese society.
Rural economic development
Switzerland supports smallholder farms in increasing their production so as to boost the country’s food security and foster the emergence of other economic sectors that can create jobs in rural and peri-urban areas. It aims to modernise family farms and works with farmers’ organisations. For example, it supports:
- the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through technical and management training;
- the development of agricultural and commercial entrepreneurship;
- the creation of rural economic structures that can generate a profit.
Basic education and vocational skills development
The SDC advocates for inclusive education that gives everyone a chance. This means that children, young people and adults who have not attended school can still acquire the skills they need to not only get a job, but also to contribute to society and exercise their citizenship. In Benin, for example, the SDC’s support includes:
- the provision of literacy programmes;
- the distribution of newspapers in local languages to further literacy efforts;
- the development of vocational skills programmes adapted to the rural context, promoting the dual approach.
Approach and main partners
In addition to the 2022-2025 Swiss cooperation programme for Benin being implemented by the SDC, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) has been developing complementary measures since 2020, particularly in the field of urban development.
Switzerland’s main partners in Benin are:
- Ministries and local authorities;
- Civil society organisations;
- Private sector;
- Local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs);
- Bilateral, regional and multilateral donors and organisations;
- National and international universities and research institutes.
Contact
Eichenweg 5
3003 Bern