WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  ANNEX 1 – BENIN  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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CONTENTS  
1   ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT  ................................ ................................ ........................  88 
1.1   Main features  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 88 
1.2   Recent economic trends  ................................ ................................ .............................. 90 
1.3   Trade performance  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....92 
1.4   Foreign direct investment  ................................ ................................ ............................ 95 
2   TRADE AND INVESTMENT  REGIMES ................................ ................................ ...........  97 
2.1   Overview  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................... 97 
2.2   Trade policy formulation and o bjectives  ................................ ................................ ......... 98 
2.3   Trade agreements and arrangements  ................................ ................................ ............ 98 
2.3.1    Relations with the World Trade Organization  ................................ ............................... 98 
2.3.2    Regional and preferential agreements  ................................ ................................ ........ 99 
2.4   Investment regime  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....99 
2.4.1    Legislative framework  ................................ ................................ .............................. 99 
2.4.2    Institutional framework  ................................ ................................ ..........................  101 
2.5   Industrial Free Zone regime  ................................ ................................ .......................  101 
3   TRADE POLICIES AND P RACTICES BY MEASURE  ................................ ......................  103  
3.1   Measures directly affecting imports  ................................ ................................ .............  103 
3.1.1    Customs procedures, valuation and requirements  ................................ ......................  103 
3.1.2    Rules of origin  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 105 
3.1.3    Customs duties  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 105 
3.1.4    Other taxes  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  105 
3.1.5    Import prohibitions and restrictions and import licensing  ................................ ............  106 
3.1.6    Contingency measures  ................................ ................................ ...........................  107 
3.1.7    Other measures  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 107 
3.2   Measures directly affecting exports  ................................ ................................ .............  107 
3.2.1    Customs procedures and requirements  ................................ ................................ ..... 107 
3.2.2    Taxes, duties and levies  ................................ ................................ .........................  108 
3.2.3    Export prohibitions and restrictions and export licensing  ................................ .............  108 
3.2.4    Export support and promotion  ................................ ................................ .................  109 
3.3   Measures affecting production and trade  ................................ ................................ ..... 109 
3.3.1    Incentives  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  109 
3.3.2    Standards and other technical regulations  ................................ ................................ . 110 
3.3.3    Sanitary and phytosanitary measures  ................................ ................................ ....... 111 
3.3.4    Competition and price control policy  ................................ ................................ .........  114 
3.3.5    State trading, State -owned enterprises and privatization  ................................ ............  115 
3.3.6    Government procurement  ................................ ................................ .......................  118 
3.3.7    Intellectual property rights  ................................ ................................ ......................  119 
4   TRADE POLICIES BY SE CTOR  ................................ ................................ ...................  121  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  4.1   Agriculture  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  121 
4.1.1    Overview  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  121 
4.1.2    General agricultural policy  ................................ ................................ ......................  122 
4.1.3    Policies by subsec tor ................................ ................................ ..............................  123 
4.1.3.1    Plant production  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 123 
4.1.3.1.1    Cotton  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  123 
4.1.3.1.2    Cashew nuts  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 124 
4.1.3.1.3    Pineapples  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 125 
4.1.3.2    Livestock production ................................ ................................ ............................  126 
4.1.3.3    Fisheries production  ................................ ................................ ............................  126 
4.1.3.4    Forestry and timber products  ................................ ................................ ...............  127 
4.2   Mining, energy and w ater ................................ ................................ ..........................  128 
4.2.1    Mining products  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 128 
4.2.2    Hydrocarbons  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  129 
4.2.3   Electricity  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  130 
4.2.4    Water  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  131 
4.3   Manufacturing sector  ................................ ................................ ................................  132 
4.4   Services  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  132 
4.4.1    Main subsectors  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 132 
4.4.1.1    Telecommunications and postal services  ................................ ................................  132 
4.4.1.1.1    Telecommunications  ................................ ................................ .........................  133 
4.4.1.1.2    Postal services  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 135 
4.4.1.2    Transpor t ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  135 
4.4.1.2.1    Port services and maritime transport  ................................ ................................ .. 136 
4.4.1.2.2    Air transport  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 137 
4.4.1.2.3    Land transport  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 139 
4.4.1.2.3.1    Road transport  ................................ ................................ ..............................  139 
4.4.1.2.3.2    Rail transport  ................................ ................................ ................................  139 
4.4.1.2.4    River and lagoon transport  ................................ ................................ ................  139 
4.4.1.3    Tourism  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  139 
4.4.1 .4   Financial services  ................................ ................................ ................................  140 
4.4.1.4.1    Banking  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  140 
4.4.1.4.2    Insurance  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  141 
5   APPENDIX TABLES  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 142  
 
CHART S 
 
Chart 1.1 Structure of merchandise trade, 2009 and 2016  ................................ ...................... 94 
Chart 1.2 Direction of merchandise trade, 2009 and 2016  ................................ ....................... 95 WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  TABLE S 
 
Table 1.1 Main macroeconomic indicators, 2009 -2016 ................................ ............................ 89 
Table 1.2 Balance of payments, 2009 -2016 ................................ ................................ ........... 91 
Table 1.3 Foreign direct investment, 2009 -2016 ................................ ................................ ....96 
Table 2.1 Ben in's notifications to the WTO, 2010 -2016 ................................ ........................... 98 
Table 2.2 Tax concessions under Benin's Industrial Free Zone regime  ................................ ..... 102 
Table 3.1 Ec otax, 2016  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 106 
Table 3.2 Temporary import bans, 2016  ................................ ................................ .............  107 
Table 3.3 Summary of taxes on exports, re -exports and goods in transit,  2016 .......................  108 
Table 3.4 Exemptions, 2010 -2016 ................................ ................................ ......................  110 
Table 3.5 SPS regulatory framework, Benin  ................................ ................................ .........  111 
Table 3.6 State intervention in the economy, 2016  ................................ ..............................  115 
Table 3.7 List of companies according to the form of denationalization between 1988 
and 2017 ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  117 
Table 3.8 Titles transmitted to OAPI by ANAPI, 2010 -June 2016 ................................ ............  120 
Table 4.1 Food production and principal crops, 2010 -2014 ................................ ....................  121 
Table 4.2 Primary livestock, 2009 -2013 ................................ ................................ ..............  126 
Table 4.3 Timber production in Benin, 2010 -2015 ................................ ................................  128 
Table 4.4 Cellular Mobile Networks, 2012 -2015 ................................ ................................ ... 134 
Table 4.5 Fixed telephony network, 2012 -2015................................ ................................ .... 134 
Table 4.6 Fi xed Internet access, 2012 -2015 ................................ ................................ ........  134 
Table 4.7 Mobile Internet, 2012 -2015 ................................ ................................ .................  135 
Table 4.8 Trends in goods traffic, 2010 -2015 ................................ ................................ ....... 136 
Table 4.9 Goods traffic by user country, 2010 -2015 ................................ .............................  137 
Table 4.10 Air transport agreements  ................................ ................................ ..................  138 
Table 4.11 Air traffic statistics for Cardinal Bernardin Gantin de Cadjehoun International 
Airport, 2010 -2015 ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  138 
 
APPENDI X TABLE S 
 
Table A1. 1 Structure of exports, 2009 -2016 ................................ ................................ ....... 142 
Table A1. 2 Structure of imports, 2009 -2016 ................................ ................................ ....... 144 
Table A1. 3 Destination of exports,  2009-2016 ................................ ................................ .... 146 
Table A1. 4 Origin of imports, 2009 -2016 ................................ ................................ ...........  147 
 
 WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  1  ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT  
1.1  Main features  
1.1.  Located in the Gulf of Guinea, Benin has an area of 114,763 km ² and had a population of 
10.9 million in 2015. Its geographical location affords it a 120 -km coastline interrupted by the 
Cotonou and Grand -Popo river estuaries, making the country an important transit hub within the 
subregion and offering it tremendous o pportunities for trade in port services.  
1.2.  With a per capita gross national income (GNI) of US$840 in 2015, Benin is still in the least 
developed countries group (low -income country).1 According to the 2015 Human Development 
Report published by the United Na tions Development Programme (UNDP), Benin's Human 
Development Index (HDI) was 0.48 in 2014, ranking it 166th out of 188 countries and territories 
and classifying it as a country of low human development. Its economy remains heavily dependent 
on a small num ber of goods and services. Despite a strong economic growth performance in recent 
years, poverty remains acute in Benin. According to the latest official survey, the poverty rate rose 
from 36.2% to 40.3% of the population between 2011 and 20152, affecting rural areas on a 
widespread basis (43.4% of the poor in 2015).  
1.3.  The Beninese economy is still struggling to develop and diversify to lift a large portion of its 
population out of poverty. The economy is founded mainly on cotton and port activities alone. Th e 
agricultural sector, which employs a large majority of the working population, continues to operate 
with rudimentary equipment that limits the productivity and incomes of agricultural workers.  
1.4.  Despite an improved business climate as measured by the Doing  Business  indicator, thanks 
in particular to customs and port reforms (section 3.1)3, and the creation of a single window for 
business start -up procedures, serious weaknesses continue to jeopardize the country's economic 
development. Access to energy and c redit remains problematic and the costs of these two factors 
are high. Moreover, the lack of secure property titles and the weakness of the judicial framework 
in enforcing contracts undermines the attractiveness of the Beninese economy. These frailties in 
the business environment mainly affect the country's industrial fabric, which is struggling to 
expand because of the high production costs they generate.  
1.5.  The sectoral distribution of gross domestic product (GDP) did not change significantly during 
the revi ew period (Table  1.1). Apart from its vital role as a major source of livelihood in rural 
areas, agriculture also accounted for about 23% of GDP in 2015, compared to around 25% in 
2010. A similar decline occurred in the manufacturing sector, while telecomm unications expanded. 
Although the manufacturing sector is relatively marginal, it offers opportunities for economic 
diversification. The sector mainly consists of units within the agri -food, chemical and building 
materials industries. The services sector c ontributes just over half of GDP, and is driven largely by 
transport (specifically port services) and telecommunications, as well as tourism.  
1.6.  Trade in goods and services increased from around 52% of GDP in 2009 to nearly 70% in 
2016. It is fuelled mainly b y strong demand for imports of food and capital goods, supported by an 
ever-increasing urban population , works involving public and private investment, and  official or 
contraband transit. The informal sector plays a preponderant role in the Beninese econom y, 
contributing over 60% of GDP4 and a similar proportion of all jobs. Informality continues to spread 
as a result of demographic growth and the inability of the formal segment of the economy to 
absorb the national labour force. During the review period, i nformal trade flows continued to 
emerge, mainly due to the prohibitions imposed by Nigeria (section 3) and the premiums on the 
parallel foreign exchange market caused by fluctuations in the Nigerian currency, the naira.  
                                                
1 Online information viewed at: http://donnees.banquemondiale.org/?locations=BJ -XM. 
2 Online information viewed at: http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org/fr/notes -pays/benin . 
3 Benin was among the ten countries that most improved their performance in 2015 and 2016, and it 
continued on this path in 2017.  
4 Online information viewed at: http://cesbenin.org/public/images/ressource/cesbenin -
11092012141807 -RAPPORT_CES_BENIN_SECTEUR_INFORMEL.pdf . WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  Table 1.1 Main macroeconomic indicators, 2009 -2016  
 2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
GDP at current prices (US$  million)  7,097.2  6,969.8  7,814.3  8,117.1  9,111.0  9,575.0  8,457.5  8,894.1  
GDP at current prices (€  million)a 5,108.9  5,262.5  5,621.3  6,317.5  6,862.0  7,216.9  7.625.8  8,040.6  
Nominal per capita GDP (US$)  793.5  757.7  826.0  834.3  910.7  930.8  799.7  818.1  
Nominal per capita GDP (€)  571.2  572.1  594.2  649.3  685.9  701.6  721.1  739.6  
GDP at constant prices (variation 
%) 2.3 2.1 3.0 4.8 7.2 6.4 2.1 4.0 
Population (million)  8.9 9.2 9.5 9.7 10.0 10.3 10.6 10.9 
Rural population (% of total 
population)  58.5 58.1 57.7 57.3 56.9 56.5 56.1 55.6 
Unemployment (% of total 
economically active population)  0.9 0.9 0.9 14.3  n.a. n.a. n.a. 
Inflatio n (CPI - variation %)  2.2 2.3 2.7 6.8 1.0 -1.1 0.3 -0.9 
GDP by type of expenditure at constant prices (%)  
Final consumption expenditure  3.2 1.6 2.3 3.4 4.3 3.6 3.6 3.2 
 Private consumption  1.9 1.8 2.3 2.6 4.1 3.9 1.8 1.7 
 Public consumption  9.3 0.9 1.9 7.3 5.2 2.2 11.5 8.9 
Gross fixed capital formation (GFCF)  7.3 9.6 2.6 0.4 42.0 -3.3 -7.8 -12.6 
Exports of goods and services  -6.0 5.6 -9.7 24.1 19.4 40.0 3.6 -0.1 
Imports of goods and services  4.2 7.0 -5.8 13.6 28.0 15.8 -5.8 -15.7 
Distribution of GDP  at current basic prices (%)  
Agriculture, livestock, forestry and 
fishing  26.9 23.3 25.6 25.2 24.0 23.5 23.1 23.5 
 Agriculture  19.2 18.5 17.3 17.1 16.4 15.9 n.a. n.a. 
 Livestock, hunting  4.1 4.4 4.6 4.4 4.1 3.9 n.a. n.a. 
 Fishing and forestry  3.5 0.4 3.8 3.8 3.5 3.6 n.a. n.a. 
Mining and quarrying  0.8 0.8 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 
Manufacturing  16.3 16.2 14.9 14.2 14.6 14.4 15.7 15.2 
Electricity and water  0.5 0.7 0.8 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.9 
Construction and public works  7.3 8.3 7.9 7.1 7.0 7.4 7.9 8.0 
Services  49.8 52.5 51.7 53.3 54.8 55.3 54.0 54.1 
 Commerce, restaurants and hotels  13.1 13.0 14.7 14.5 15.4 16.5 15.5 15.3 
 Transport, post and 
telecommunications  9.2 10.0 9.7 12.7 12.8 12.1 11.5 11.3 
 Banks and other financial 
institutions  3.3 3.4 2.4 2.2 2.6 2.8 n.a. n.a. 
 Public administration and social 
security  8.6 9.8 9.3 9.2 9.2 9.1 9.3 9.3 
 Education  5.3 5.7 5.5 5.2 5.2 5.2 5.2 5.2 
 Health and social work  1.0 1.1 1.1 1.0 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 
 Other services  9.3 9.4 9.1 8.6 8.6 8.6 n.a. n.a. 
Financi al intermediation services 
indirectly measured (FISIM)  -1.7 -1.8 -1.6 -1.5 -1.8 -1.9 -2.1 -2.2 
External sector  
Current account (% of current GDP)  -9.1 -7.6 -6.6 -7.1 -7.4 -9.2 -8.8 -6.9 
Merchandise balance (% of current 
GDP) -7.2 -7.1 -7.0 -6.9 -6.7 -7.4 -6.0 -6.4 
Services balance (% current GDP)  -3.9 -2.0 -1.2 -1.9 -2.7 -4.2 -3.8 -1.6 
Overall balance (% of current GDP)  -1.5 2.4 -0.3 1.7 2.2 3.7 1.7 -1.5 
Total reserves, excluding gold 
(US$ million)  81.7 85.7 81.4 83.2 84.2 76.0 66.8 57.5 
CFAF per US$  (annual average)  472.2  495.3  471.9  510.5  494.0  494.4  591.4  593.0  
Nominal effective exchange rate 
(2000 = 100)  118.3  111.8  113.1  107.5  111.4  114.3  104.1  107.7  
Real effective exchange rate 
(2000  = 100) 123.2  115.2  114.4  112.4  114.1  112.8  100.3  100.5  
External debt, concessional 
(US$ million)  968.1  1,106.2  1,188.5  1,279.3  1,523.2  1,681.0  1,790.6  n.a. 
External debt, concessional 
(€ million)  696.9  835.3  855.0  995.7  1,147.2  1,267.0  1,614.5  n.a. WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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   2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
External debt, total (US$  million)  1,317.2  1,599.2  1,868.6  2,059.6 2,013.7  2,045.1  2,179.2  n.a. 
External debt, total (€  million)  948.2  1,207.4  1,344.2  1,603.0  1,516.6  1,541.5  1,964.9  n.a. 
 Concessional debt/Total debt (%)  73.5 69.2 63.6 62.1 75.6 82.2 82.2 n.a. 
Public finance (% current GDP)  
Total income and grant s 19.5 18.9 18.8 19.2 18.6 17.4 17.0 14.6 
 Current income  (total income 
excluding grants)  17.2 17.5 16.4 17.4 17.7 16.5 16.4 14.1 
 Tax revenue  14.9 15.2 14.5 14.4 14.8 14.8 14.3 12.2 
 Foreign trade taxes  4.3 8.1 7.1 7.7 8.3 7.6 6.9 5.5 
 Grants  2.3 1.4 2.4 1.8 0.9 0.9 0.6 0.5 
Total expenses and net loans  24.0 20.3 20.5 19.7 21.2 19.4 24.8 20.6 
 Current expenses  14.6 14.6 14.0 14.3 14.1 13.8 16.9 14.8 
 Capital expenses  8.8 5.1 6.1 5.2 6.4 5.3 7.5 5.7 
 Net loans  0.4 0.6 0.3 0.1 0.7 0.3 0.4 0.1 
Current  account balance  2.5 2.9 2.4 3.1 3.6 2.7 -0.5 -0.7 
Overall balance excluding grants  -6.9 -2.9 -4.0 -2.2 -3.5 -2.9 -8.5 -6.5 
Overall balance  -4.6 -1.5 -1.7 -0.4 -2.6 -1.9 -7.9 -6.0 
Variation in arrears  -0.8 -0.5 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 
Overall bala nce, cash basis 
(excluding grants)  -6.3 -3.2 -4.6 -2.4 -3.3 -3.5 -8.5 -6.5 
Financing needs:          
 External financing  1.9 3.3 3.0 2.3 3.9 2.7 2.6 2.1 
 Domestic financing  4.3 -0.1 1.5 0.1 -0.6 0.8 5.8 4.4 
External public debt (end  of period)  22.6 16.9 16.6 15.4 16.8 20.1 20.9 21.6 
n.a. Not available.  
a The CFA franc, which is the common currency of the WAEMU countries, is pegged to the euro at a 
rate of: €1 = CFAF 655.96.  
Source:  Online information from IMF eLibrary -Data; online information from the W orld Bank; Central  Bank of 
West African States (BCEAO) , Annuaire statistique 2015 ; African Development Bank Group , 
African  Statistical Yearbook  2017. 
1.2  Recent economic trends  
1.7.  The Beninese economy gradually consolidated during the review period. Real GDP expa nded 
steadily as from 2010 and its growth rate, which was around 2% in that year, has remained above 
5% since 2013. However, the sustained expansion eased slightly in 2015, with a rate of 5.2% 
compared to 6.5% in 2014. The slight slowdown in 2015 was partl y due to repeated electric power 
outages, adverse weather conditions affecting agricultural production and declining economic 
activity in Nigeria.  
1.8.  The strong performance of the agricultural sector formed the main basis for an overall 
improvement of the nat ional economic situation. The cotton subsector, where output doubled 
between 2010 and 2014, generates (directly and indirectly) about 45% of non -customs tax 
revenue  and 13% of GDP (section 4.1). Agricultural production excluding cotton has also grown 
significantly, on the back of the agricultural production diversification programmes being 
implemented by the authorities. Growth in the secondary sector also benefited from the 
improvement in the cotton -producing industries (ginning activities) and those invol ved in the 
production of cement and other construction materials in a context of intensive works to improve 
and rehabilitate certain roads and hotel complexes. A strong performance in the services sector, 
notably transport and telecommunications, also made  a contribution to economic growth.  
1.9.  The Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, the third edition of which spanned the 
period 2011 -2015, provided a frame of reference for development policies and strategies in the 
period under review. It aimed to prom ote inclusive growth to enable sustained poverty reduction 
by strengthening the private sector through the creation of strong public -private partnerships 
(PPPs). In 2010, Benin signed a three -year arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) 
for a total of roughly US$109  million, in order to support the authorities' efforts to boost economic WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  growth by stimulating infrastructure investment and implementing structural reforms to enhance 
the country's competitiveness.  
1.10.   During the review period, the auth orities introduced structural and macroeconomic reforms 
to support economic growth in an international context that has remained fragile until now. In 
general, budgetary policy targets optimal domestic resource mobilization and efficient public 
expenditure  programming. Since 2013, the Government has been using a programme budgeting 
system to allocate appropriations according to the public policies being pursued in order to plan 
public investments more effectively. Efforts are understood to be under way to d evelop a 
multi-year budget and economic planning document. Although public spending increased 
significantly in 2015 owing to expenditure on certain road projects, the share of investment 
spending remains lower than that of current expenditure, which is kep t high by the wage bill 
(about 45% of revenue compared to the WAEMU norm of 35%).5 
1.11.   Government income has remained relatively stable, resulting in a sharp increase in the 
overall deficit (including grants) from 1.9% to 7.9% of GDP between 2014 and 2015, hav ing been 
stable in the preceding years. The Government continues to use the bond market to cover its 
financing needs, as well as obtaining direct funding from local banks. However, the public 
debt/GDP ratio remains low, despite having risen steadily over t he review period, from 16.9% in 
2010 to 20.8% in 2015. Benin is implementing a medium -term debt strategy for the period 
2014-2018, which focuses, inter alia , on making priority use of concessional financing 
supplemented by small amounts of non -concessional  borrowing to finance profitable projects.  
1.12.   As a WAEMU member, Benin applies the monetary policy pursued by the Central Bank of 
West African States (BCEAO), the main objective of which is price stability for sustainable 
economic growth (common report, secti on 1). In Benin, between 2010 and 2011, inflation 
(measured by the Consumer Price Index) was held below the WAEMU threshold (maximum) set at 
3% per annum, before surging to 6.8% in 2012, particularly owing to hikes in food and fuel prices. 
The latter refle cted the cuts in gasoline subsidies by Nigeria, from where it was smuggled into 
Benin. The inflation rate then plummeted in 2013 and stayed in line with community standards 
with a top rate of 3% in 2016.  
1.13.   Benin's external current account has persistently be en negative, as a result of deficits in 
both goods and services trade (Table 1.2). The deficit hovered around 7% of GDP from 2010 to 
2013 (Table 1.1), with slight variations, mainly due to fluctuations in the prices of cotton and 
petroleum products, and ca pital goods purchases. The current account deficit widened sharply in 
2014 and 2015, mainly owing to higher imports of capital goods relating to the manufacturing 
sector and other infrastructure works.  
Table 1.2 Balance of payments, 2009 -2016  
(€ million)  
 2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016a 
Current account balance  -467.1  -400.5  -371.4  -449.1  -507.0  -667.0  -671.5 -555.8  
Goods and services (net)  -567.4  -477.2  -462.1  -553.1  -646.5  -842.1  -741.4 -648.7  
 Goods (net)  -369.4  -372.7  -395.3  -435.4  -460.9  -535.6  -455.1 -517.6  
 Exports f.o.b.  881.5  967.6  899.8  1,122.8  1,492.6  1,932.0  1,517.0 1,224.2  
 Imports f.o.b.  1,251.0  1,340.3  1,295.1  1,558.2  1,953.5  2,467.4  1,972.1 1,741.7  
 Services (net)  -197.9  -104.4  -66.8  -117.7  -185.7  -306.6  -286.3 -131.3  
 Credit  159.0  284.3  295.8  337.7  387.4  360.7  310.2 359.5  
 Transport  12.9 76.4 82.0 87.4 107.0 110.5 129.2 n.a. 
 Travel  94.5  112.7  129.1  132.2  142.5  113.9  127.0 108.5  
 Debit  357.0  388.6  362.5  455.4  573.2  667.3  596.5 490.6  
 Transport  208.9 234.9 227.6 285.4 311.3 503.5 393.9 n.a. 
 Travel  37.8 43.4 38.0 33.3 29.3 40.9 56.2 n.a. 
Primary income  -23.8  -40.4  -11.1  -52.0  -52.0  -46.0  -59.2 -65.6 
 Debt interest  -18.8  -12.3  -11.9  -16.2  -14.9  -15.7  -23.6 -35.2 
Secondary income  123.9  117.1  101.8  156.0  191.5  221.2  129.1 158.5  
                                                
5 Online information  viewed at: http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org/fr/notes -145,0pays/benin  and 
at: http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/cat/longres.aspx? sk=43554 . WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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   2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016a 
 Public administration  74.5  63.4  23.0  48.5  59.5  67.1  27.8 36.6 
 Other sectors  49.4  53.7  79.0  107.5  132.0  154.1  101.3 122.0 
 Migrant remittances  88.3  96.0  102.0  89.8  106.4  117.5  101.9 99.1 
Capital account  116.0  115.3  190.9  129.6  140.1  191.9  113.0 145.0  
Financial account  -280.8  -406.0  -148.8  -411.2  -505.7  -731.9  -682.4 -290.4  
 Direct investment  -74.2  -147.0  -73.0  -187.8  -227.1  -292.4  -105.5 129.6  
 Portfolio investment  -57.0  -37.5  -42.5  -53.7  -29.7  -36.4  -179.2 -64.8 
 Other investment  -149.6  -222.0  -33.2  -17.4  -248.8  -403.1  -398.2 -96.0 
Net errors and 
omissions  -4.1  5.9  13.4  14.3  12.3  11.0  3.5 0.0 
Overall balance  -74.5  126.7  -18.3  106.0  151.1  267.9  127.4 -120.4  
n.a. Not available.  
a Projection.  
Source:  Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO).  
1.14.   The medium -term economic outlook for Benin is encouraging. The IMF forecast s growth 
rates of 6% in the medium term, under the combined effect of improved infrastructure and the 
structural reforms announced in the country's development programmes.6 Moderate increases in 
domestic revenues are projected, particularly due to the elim ination of certain ad hoc exemptions; 
this should help trim the budget deficit to about 4.75% of GDP by 2020. The same analyses 
suggest that Benin's current account will deteriorate between 2015 and 2019 owing to an increase 
in public investment; but it is  expected to improve gradually from 2020 onwards, as investment 
and import growth stabilize.7 Nonetheless, these forecasts depend heavily on the economic 
situation in Nigeria and the implementation by Benin of its structural reform plans (including 
institu tional reforms), as set out in its development strategies.  
1.15.   A new development policy reference framework, the Government Action Programme (PAG) 
titled "Benin Revealed", was launched in  2016 to maximize the performance of the Beninese 
economy in 2017 -2021. T his programme is designed to serve as the sole instrument for steering 
government action and for programming the activities of ministries and implementing the State 
budget.  
1.16.   In essence, it is based on three key pillars: (1) consolidation of good governance by 
strengthening democratic achievements; (2) structural transformation of Benin's economy through 
macroeconomic consolidation and workforce skill development; and (3) improvement of the 
population's living conditions through the provision of basic social services and land -use planning. 
In February  2017, an IMF mission finalized discussions with the Beninese authorities on a 
three -year economic programme under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement. This 
reflects in particular the strategic orientat ions of the PAG. In April  2017, the IMF's Executive Board 
approved a US$151.03  million agreement with Benin under the ECF.8 
1.3  Trade performance  
1.17.   Official trade figures show an irregular pattern of imports and exports during the review 
period. Exports (in valu e terms) fell sharply between 2010 and 2011, due, in particular, to bad 
weather conditions that affected cotton production. The latter had grown steadily between 2011 
and 2014 on the back of government efforts to revive agricultural production. The collaps e of 
exports in 2015 would appear to have been largely due to the measures adopted by Nigeria 
(one of Benin's key export/re -export markets) to ban imports of certain agricultural products. A 
sizeable portion of Benin's cross -border trade passes through the  informal circuit and is therefore 
not recorded. Re -exports are also important because of Benin's geographical location, hence the 
importance of transit operations. Imports also fluctuated widely over the same period, reflecting 
the trend of commodity pric es (fuel and food products).  
                                                
6 The Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS), the third generation of which spanned 
2011-2015, is the operational tool of Benin's long -term development  programme.  
7 Online information v iewed at: http://www.imf.org/external/french/pubs/ft/scr/2016/cr1606f.pdf . 
8 Online information viewed at: http://www.imf.org/fr/News/Articles/2017/04/07/pr17124 -benin -imf-
executive -board -approves -us-151-03-million -under -the-ecf-arrangement . WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  1.18.   The structure of trade remained broadly unchanged. Exports are highly concentrated and 
dominated by agricultural products, especially cotton and its by -products (Table A1.1 and 
Chart  1.1). Re -exports of manufactured goods, incl uding transport equipment, remain substantial.  
1.19.   Imports are much more diversified, however, and consist mainly of food products (including 
rice and meat), fuels, electric power, transport equipment, textiles, cement, medicines and 
agricultural inputs (Table  A1.2 and Chart 1.2).  
1.20.   The distribution of Benin's export markets has been fairly uneven over time, as confirmed 
during the review period. China, which was the main export market during the previous review 
period, saw its share collapse from 25% in 2012 to 6.7% in 2016 due to the slowdown in its 
economy and weaker demand for commodities. In 2016, India ranked as the main destination of 
Beninese products, ahead of Malaysia, Bangladesh, the European Union and China (Table A1.3 and 
Chart 1.2). The share of expo rts going to African countries fell between 2010 and 2016, 
from 64.4% to 28.1%, respectively, as a result of the slump in exports to Nigeria.  
1.21.   The European Union, particularly France, remains the main source of merchandise imports, 
followed by China and Ind ia (Table A1.4 and Chart 1.2). However, its relative share has declined 
steadily since 2009 as imports from India and Thailand have increased.  
1.22.   Benin is a net importer of services (Table 1.2). The bulk of such imports relate to freight 
and insurance. Engine ering and audit services for major ongoing works are also important. The 
main services imports are tourism activities.  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  Chart 1.1 Structure of merchandise trade, 2009 and 2016  
2009 2016
Exports (f.o.b.)
Other semi -finished 
products 1.7%
Rice
9.0%
Total:   €306.2 million Total:  €370.4 million
Imports (c.i.f.)
Other extractive 
industries 0.7%Machinery
8.1%
Manufactures
48.0%Other semi -finished 
products
7.9%
Chemicals
9.1%Chemicals 
6.1%
Meat 9.5%Fuels
18.0%Iron and steel 
2.4%
Manufactures
31.4%
Total:   €1,115.0 million Total:  €2,377.8 millionAgriculture
71.6%Extractive 
industries
5.5%
Cotton
30.2%
Transport 
equipment 
7.8%
Other consumer 
goods 3.5%Other agricultural products
18.0%
Transport machinery 
and equipment 4.6%Other semi -finished 
products 6.1%
Gold 4.4%Consumer 
goods
4.2%
Meat
15.7%
Textiles and clothing
6.8%Transport 
machinery and 
equipment 4.3%
Meat 6.5%Iron and steel
5.2%
Agriculture
50.1% Agriculture
34.6%Other semi -finished 
products 
5.0%Iron and steel
9.2%Iron and 
steel
4.0%
Manufactures
18.6%Manufactures
18.5%
Edible nuts
7.8%
Rice 29.4%Transport equipment 
7.5%
Consumer 
goods
3.8%Other extractive industries 
0.6%Extractive 
industries
0.7%
Consumer goods
3.0%
Agriculture
80.7%Other agricultural 
products
15.5%
Rice 5.9%Cotton
42.8%
Other agricultural 
products 19.2%Other agricultural 
products 14.2%Machinery
6.3%
Fuels
16.6%Edible nuts
13.4%
 
Source:  UNSD, Comtrade database (SITC Rev.3).  
 
 WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  Chart 1.2 Direction of merchandise trade, 2009 and 2016  
2009 2016
Exports (f.o.b.)
Nigeria
39.9%
Total:   €306.2 million Total:  €370.4 million
Imports (c.i.f.)
Togo
10.9%Asia
26.0%
Africa
21.4%China
13.4%
Other Africa
7.0%
Other Africa
8.7%America
6.0%
Togo
7.3%Other WAEMU
1.5%Asia
42.1%
Total:   €1,115.0 million Total:  €2,377.8 million Africa
28.1%
China
6.7%Chad 5.4%
Other Asia
6.3%
Other
6.2%China
18.5%
Other Asia 9.3%
Other 9.1%Other Asia
8.9%Other Africa
3.7%
Other Asia
9.3%Bangladesh
10.2%
America 
5.2%Other WAEMU
3.6%
EU (28)
28.2%EU (28)
40.4%India
14.9%India  8.2% Malaysia
13.2%
Asia
36.0%
Asia
54.4%
WAEMU
9.3%
France 
10.1%Malaysia
3.2%
Other
7.1%
Africa
17.5%Other 0.7%
EU (28) 5.1% Africa
58.3%
Other Africa
7.5%
France
17.5%Niger
6.0%
Belgium
4.1%Netherlands
4.8%Thailand
12.4%
Other EU (28)
13.8%EU (28) 8.4%
China
8.4%Nigeria
6.6%Other
WAEMU
4.4%
Other EU (28)
8.7%Belgium
4.7% Netherlands
5.0%India
15.4%
Togo
3.6%
 
Source:  UNSD, Comtrade database (SITC Rev.3).  
1.4  Foreign direct investment  
1.23.   The majority of foreign direct investment (FDI) is channelled into port activities, 
infrastructure building and cotton industry activities. The Government is taking steps to diversify 
the activities that benefit from FDI through reforms in several agricultural subsectors and 
processing activities. Although Benin enjo ys major advantages such as access to the sea, the 
availability of certain agricultural inputs and the possibility of preferential access, including within 
WAEMU, the level of FDI is below potential due to the business environment, which is hampered by 
cumbersome administrative proc edures, low labour productivity, high production costs and weak 
infrastructure (section 4).  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  1.24.   Stocks of FDI, which have been increasing since 2010 (Table 1.3), are driven by the rail 
loop project, which will link Cotonou to Niamey (Niger) initially, then Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) 
and Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire); and the creation of three new banks in Benin. Investment flows in the 
telecommunications, energy and transport sectors have also contributed to this steady growth.  
Table 1.3 Foreign direct investment, 2009 -2016  
(€ million)  
 2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Inflow  96.7  133.5  115.9  178.7  271.3  305.4  206.7  n.a. 
Outflow  22.4  -13.5  42.9  14.7  44.1  13.0  23.8  n.a. 
Inward stock  549.1  456.1  528.7  766.7  1,057.4  1,211.1  1,502.0  n.a. 
Outward stock  41.4  16.2  54.9  75.7  122.4  119.7  151.7  n.a. 
n.a. Not available.  
Source:  Online  information from UNCTADSTAT.  
 
 WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  2  TRADE AND INVESTMENT  REGIMES  
2.1  Overview  
2.1.   There has bee n no substantial change in Benin's general institutional and legal framework 
since the preceding review of the country's trade policies in  2010. Benin's Constitution has not 
been amended since December  1990. It provides for the separation of executive, leg islative, and 
judiciary power. The President of the Republic and the parliamentarians are elected by direct 
universal suffrage.  
2.2.  Under the Constitution, Benin is a multiparty republic with a presidential regime. The 
President of the Republic is elected for a once -renewable five -year term, and appoints the other 
members of the Government. The current President has been in office since April  2016.  
2.3.  The National Assembly comprises 83 deputies elected by direct universal suffrage for 
(renewable) four -year terms, exercises legislative power and controls the Government's activities. 
The last parliamentary elections took place in 2015. Laws, including those determining the State's 
income and expenditure targets, have to be adopted by the National Assembly. Implementi ng 
decrees for legislation voted by the Assembly are adopted by the Council of Ministers and are 
immediately enforceable. The President may also submit to a popular referendum any draft law 
concerning a matter of national interest. However, no such case ar ose during the period under 
review.  
2.4.  Judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court, which is at the apex of the judicial pyramid, 
and in the appeal courts, the lower courts and conciliation tribunals. The Supreme Court has 
competence for administrative and judicial matters and the State's accounts. Its decisions are final 
and are binding on the Executive, the Legislature and all other judicial bodies. The Constitutional 
Court is responsible for reviewing the constitutionality of laws and regulatory acts; it is the 
authority that regulates the functioning of government institutions and activities. The High Court of 
Justice is empowered to judge the President of the Republic and members of the Government for 
acts deemed to be high treason and for offences commi tted in the exercise of their functions. No 
such case has ever been brought before the Court.  
2.5.  The Constitution remains the highest ranking law in the country's legal order. In the domestic 
hierarchy it comes before laws, ordinances, decrees and orders.  
2.6.  In certain circumstances, the Government may issue ordinances valid for a limited period. A 
distinction must be made between two types of ordinance. Those issued pursuant to Article 68 of 
the Constitution serve to introduce exceptional measures; they have the  force of law and may be 
examined only for their constitutionality, such examination being limited to verifying infringements 
of citizens' constitutional rights. The National Assembly determines the duration of any exceptional 
measures. Ordinances under Ar ticle 102 of the Constitution are adopted by the Council of Ministers 
and take effect upon publication, although in principle they lapse if the draft law on their 
ratification is not submitted to the Assembly within the time -limit fixed in the enabling leg islation. 
According to the authorities, no enabling legislation has been requested by any Government since 
the adoption of the Constitution.  
2.7.  International treaties and agreements have the force of law once signed and ratified and 
published in the Official Journal. Under the monistic system, once ratified they take precedence 
over laws, subject, with respect to each individual agreement or treaty, to its being applied by the 
other party.  The WTO Agreements may be cited directly in judicial proceedings, inclu ding in the 
event of a trade dispute, although this has never occurred so far.  
2.8.  Commercial litigation between economic operators is heard in the ordinary courts. The 
commercial chambers in the lower courts have competence for trade disputes, which are heard  
there in the first instance. Each appeal court also has a special chamber for ruling on appeals 
relating to trade disputes.1 In 2016, Law No.  2016-15 (of 28  July 2016 on the organization of the 
Judiciary in the Republic of Benin) and its implementing decr ees established three courts of appeal 
and three commercial courts; they are not yet operational.  
                                                
1 Article No.  61 of Law No.  2001-37 of 27  August  2002 on the organization of the Judiciary in Be nin. WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  2.9.  Benin is a member of the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa 
(OHADA). OHADA's Common Court of Justice and Arbitration (CCJA) is there fore competent to 
hear final appeals relating to trade disputes.2 
2.2  Trade policy formulation and objectives  
2.10.   The Ministry responsible for trade is tasked with coordinating technical questions concerning 
the formulation and implementation of trade policy, incl uding WTO -related matters, and all trade 
agreements. Other ministries are also involved in formulating and implementing trade policy, in 
particular the Ministry responsible for finance and the ministries responsible for sectoral matters. 
Most of Benin's tr ade policy instruments and practices are established by laws, ordinances and 
regulations.  
2.11.   Private sector organizations are consulted on an ad hoc  basis on the formulation of trade 
policy; however, there is still no permanent arrangement for consultations b etween the State and 
the private sector. According to the authorities, such a consultation framework is under 
preparation.  
2.12.   Regional economic integration within WAEMU and ECOWAS is at the heart of Benin's trade 
policy (common report, section 2).  
2.13.   The other m ajor objective of Benin's trade policy is to integrate its trade and investment 
policies into the country's development strategy. In 2011 the country implemented its 
third-generation Poverty Reduction Strategy. Having opted for a private sector -oriented 
development strategy based on new export lines, the Government is seeking to attract 
investment, mainly by simplifying the procedures for setting up businesses and by adopting a new 
investment code.  
2.14.    A number of products, especially in the agricultural secto r, hold significant export 
development potential. They are mainly the following: cotton and textiles, cashew nuts, 
pineapples, fish and fisheries products, and commer cial crafts. Efforts are being made to create a 
climate favourable to investment in these economic fields, to increase local value  added and to 
raise the competitiveness of products so as to facilitate their access to international markets. 
Besides, tourism and other services such as port services are potentially significant drivers of 
Benin's economic performance.  
2.3  Trade agreements and arrangements  
2.3.1   Relations with the World Trade Organization  
2.15.   Benin is an original Member of the WTO ( common report, section 2). The concessions made 
by Benin at the conclusion of the Uruguay Round are contained in Sch edule XLVIII as regards 
goods and in document GATS/SC/11 as regards services.  
2.16.   Benin submitted very few notifications to the WTO during the period under review 
(Table  2.1). 
Table 2.1 Benin's notifications to th e WTO, 2010 -2016  
Requirement  WTO document  Content  
Sanitary and phytosanitary 
measures  G/SPS/N/BEN/6 of 
11 November  2010 Notification on pesticides  
Article XXVIII:5 of the GATT  G/MA/328 of 8  January  2015 Invocation of paragraph 5 
of Article XXVIII  
Rules of origin  G/RO/N/150 of 10  November  2016 Notification under Article 5 and 
paragraph 4 of Annex II to the 
Agreement on Rules of Origin  
                                                
2 The OHADA member countries are: Benin; Burkina Faso; Cameroon; Central African Republic; Chad; 
Comoros; D emocratic Republic of the Congo; Rep ublic of the C ongo; Côte  d'Ivoire; Gabon;  Guinea; 
Guinea -Bissau; Equatorial Guinea; Mali; Niger; Senegal; an d Togo.  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  Requirement  WTO document  Content  
Subsidies and countervailing 
measures, Article 25.11 and  25.12  G/SCM/N/202/BEN of 
11 November  2016 Notification under Art icle 25.11 
and 25.12 of the Agreement on 
Subsidies and Countervailing 
Measures  
Anti-dumping practices, 
Article  16.4 and 16.5  G/ADP/N/193/BEN of 
11 November  2016 Notification under Article 16.4 
and 16.5 of the Agreement  
Intellectual property rights  IP/N/3 /BEN/1 of 
30 November  2016 Points notified under Article 69 of 
the TRIPS Agreement  
Source:  WTO documents.  
2.17.   Like other WAEMU members, Benin is a member of several regional trade groupings, 
including the African Union (AU) and ECOWAS ( common report, section 2). 
2.3.2   Regional and preferential agreements  
2.18.   In addition to the ECOWAS trade preferences, Benin is granted trade preferences by the 
European Union and the United States ( common  report, section 2).  
2.4  Investment regime  
2.4.1   Legislative framework  
2.19.   Work has been in progre ss since Benin's preceding trade policy review to make the 
investment regime more attractive and to encourage the entry of informal businesses into the 
formal sector. The reforms have, among other things, led to separate formalities for registering 
newly c reated enterprises with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Benin (CCIB); the 
alignment of the costs borne by foreigners in setting up businesses with those borne by Beninese 
nationals; the setting of a time -frame of eight business hours for the formal ization of companies, 
except in cases of force majeure ; the free, online publication of excerpts from the Trade and 
Personal Property Credit Register (RCCM) on the website of the Investment and Export Promotion 
Agency (APIEX)3; the possibility for promoter s to verify the availability or otherwise of the name of 
their future enterprise  on a dedicated website; the reduction of the cost of formalization from 
CFAF 65,000 in 2013 to CFAF 10,000 as of July  2014 for sole proprietorships, and from 
CFAF 225,000 to C FAF 17,000 as of July  2014 for the creation of limited liability companies; the 
elimination of the costs and regulatory time -limits binding on the notary in the process of creating 
a limited liability company; the elimination of the minimum capital require ment for the creation of 
limited liability companies in Benin; and the freedom given to partners in a limited liability 
company to set the initial amount of their share capital. Moreover, the use of a notary in setting up 
a business is now optional.  
2.20.   The 19 90 Investment Code remains the basic regulatory framework for all investment in 
Benin.4 The Code guarantees identical treatment of Beninese nationals and foreigners. It also 
guarantees the repatriation of earnings of all descriptions on invested capital, i ncluding dividends 
and the proceeds of liquidation of the company. It establishes a common law regime, preferential 
regimes and a special regime.  
2.21.   In principle, Benin does not impose any restrictions on foreign investment.  
2.22.   Admission to one of the preferenti al regimes is open to any newly created enterprise in any 
sector, if the business is of interest or special importance to attaining the goals of the national 
economic and social development plan. Companies engaging in the following activities are not 
eligible for these preferential regimes: buying for resale in the same state; repackaging, cutting 
up, twisting or wrapping of finished or semi -finished products and any other activity that does not 
entail working or processing within the meaning of the customs  nomenclature; and activities 
                                                
3Online information v iewed at: www.gufebenin.org  for information on investments , and at: 
http://www.guidebenin.com . 
4 Law No.  90-002 of 9  May 1990 containing Benin's  Investment Code. The Code as amended is  
understood to be undergoing thorough revision.  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  detrimental to the environment and to public health5, for which an environmental compliance 
certificate is required.  
2.23.   Preferential regimes may also be accorded to companies long established in Benin in the 
event that they are e xpanding their activities, provided, however, that the expansion is not into 
one of the areas of activity expressly ruled out under the Code. In such a case, the preferential 
regime applies only to the expansion.  
2.24.   Apart from the above -mentioned criteria, el igibility for a preferential regime requires that 
the created activity contribute to implementing the land -use policy, job creation, improving the 
balance of payments and the development of local resources.  
2.25.   There are five preferential regimes established i n accordance with specific conditions. They 
offer domestic and foreign companies customs and fiscal concessions that have not changed since 
the preceding trade policy review.6 There is the "A" regime for SMEs; the "B" regime for "large" 
companies; the "C" regime for fiscal stabilization; the "D" regime for heavy investment; and the 
"E" regime for structural investment.7 
2.26.   The period for which the concessions are given depends on the zone in which the beneficiary 
company is established, that is: five years for  the City of Cotonou and the surrounding area within 
a radius of 25 km; seven years for the urban areas of Porto -Novo, Parakou, Abomey and Bohicon; 
and nine years for other areas in Benin. Under Regime D, the period of concessions has been 
extended and inc ludes a start -up or maximum investment period of five years, plus an operating 
period of 12, 13 or 15 years depending on the zone. At the end of this period, companies approved 
under Regimes C and D are entitled to fiscal stabilization as regards the rate and method for 
determining the base for taxes other than industrial and commercial profits tax (BIC) throughout 
the period of entitlement. Service providers are not eligible for tax exemptions during the 
operating phase.8 
2.27.   When the concessions under the pre ferential regimes end, the company must continue its 
activities for at least five years otherwise it has to reimburse the State for the concessions granted 
during the entitlement period. However, given the difficulties of monitoring and assessment, no 
such case has been identified to date.  
2.28.   Among other things, the Code aims to encourage local value  added. Activities that consist of 
buying for resale in the same state or repackaging and wrapping finished goods are, therefore, not 
entitled to the concessions. Up to 2008, there had to be at least 50% value added in order to 
receive the concessions. This figure has, however, been lowered to 30% under the new 
ordinances. The Code requires beneficiaries to have a minimum of 60% Beninese nationals on the 
payroll.9 Investors must also comply with national or international quality standards applicable to 
goods and services that are the subject of their activities; protect the environment; keep SYSCOA 
(West African Accounting System) -compliant accounts; abide by the app roved investment 
programmes; allow controls by the authorities; and be entered in the Trade Register.  
2.29.   A Technical Investment Commission (CTI) examines the application and approves projects. 
The Investment Control Commission (CCI) ensures that the regulator y requirements (number of 
local jobs, value added, etc.) are met. Once the investment is made, notification of that 
investment is verified by the CCI.  
2.30.   The special regime applies to enterprises falling into the following categories: enterprises 
providing se rvices in the fields of health, education and public works, whose investment is at least 
CFAF 20,000,000; and enterprises engaging in an activity other than those covered by the 
preferential regimes and the amount of whose investment falls between CFAF 5  million and 
CFAF 20 million. Upon creation, they are entitled to a 75% reduction in import duties and taxes, 
with the exception of the municipal tax and the statistical tax on machinery, equipment and tools 
                                                
5 No application was rejected on this basis during the review period.  
6 WTO document WT/TPR/S/236/Rev.1 of 22  November  2010.  
7 As defined in the Investment Code.  
8 Article 59 of Law No.  90-033. 
9 Articles 33, 35 and 36.  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  to be used for production or operations; and spare  parts specifically for the imported equipment up 
to a limit corresponding to 15% of the c.i.f. value of the equipment.  
2.31.   Besides, there are concessions under specific regimes, such as the Mining Code, for the 
exploitation of natural resources.  
2.4.2   Institutional  framework  
2.32.   The institutional framework for investments underwent significant change during the review 
period. Given the number of institutions responsible for investment promotion, in 2014 the 
Government set up the Investment and Export Promotion Agency (A PIEX), under the supervision 
of the Office of the President of the Republic, to support export and investment in Benin. It still 
has exclusive responsibility for dealing with private investors, whether Beninese or foreign. The 
APIEX is the outcome of amalg amation of the Beninese Trade Promotion Agency (ABePEC), the 
single window for business formalities (GUFE) and the Presidential Investment Council (CPI). The 
APIEX began operating in October  2015.   
2.33.   Any company seeking approval for a preferential regime und er the Investment Code must 
apply to the APIEX, which acts as the Secretariat for the CTI . 
2.34.   Any dispute regarding the interpretation or application of the Investment Code may be 
brought before a Dispute Settlement Commission, whose terms of reference are sp elled out in the 
Code. Work is in progress to set up this Commission. Appeals can also be made to the 
International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). Benin has signed investment 
protection agreements and treaties with the Federal Republ ic of Germany (1978), Great Britain 
(1986), and Switzerland (1973). According to the Beninese authorities, investment promotion and 
protection agreements have also been ratified with: Belgium -Luxembourg, Burkina Faso, Chad, 
Egypt, Ghana, Guinea, Libya, Mal i, the Netherlands and South Africa.  
2.35.   In 1993 Benin also ratified the Convention establishing the Multilateral Investment 
Guarantee Agency (MIGA).10 
2.5  Industrial Free Zone regime  
2.36.   Benin's Industrial Free Zone (ZFI) regime was established in 1999 under Law No.  99-001 of 
13 January  1999 containing the Finance Law for 1999. The law on its organization and operation 
was approved in 2005. The ZFI has been operational since 2009. The ZFI option adopted by Benin 
is to combine geographically defined free zones (in Sèmè -Podji) and free points or free enterprises 
(details pending) which, if they meet the criteria, may be established anywhere in Benin and be 
entitled to the applicable incentives. In 2016, there were 19 free points in Benin, and 
11 of 19 companies approved u nder the ZFI regime were operating.  
2.37.   This regime is managed by a public limited company called the "ZFI Administrative Board". 
The aims being pursued by the Beninese authorities in creating the ZFI are, inter alia : export 
promotion and diversification, impr oving the trade balance; increasing foreign exchange earnings; 
technology transfer; and job creation. The Industrial Free Zone Approval Board is responsible for 
approving applications for accreditation from enterprises wishing to obtain ZFI status.  
2.38.   Those e ligible to benefit under the ZFI regime are: enterprises engaged in industrial 
production for export; services enterprises whose services are available solely to industrial 
enterprises approved under the ZFI regime; and enterprises which produce goods inte nded solely 
for the industries approved under the ZFI regime.  
2.39.   To qualify under the ZFI regime, industrial production companies must undertake to fully 
satisfy the following conditions: (1) guarantee that at least  65% of their annual production will be 
exported; (2) give priority for permanent jobs to Beninese nationals with qualifications equivalent 
to those of non -Beninese; and (3) help train Beninese nationals to occupy high -skill positions in 
the Industrial Free Zone; and (4) give priority to raw materia ls, equipment and supplies of 
Beninese origin, provided that they are equally competitive.  
                                                
10 MIGA , online information  viewed at: http://www.miga.org . WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  2.40.   Service companies must fulfil the second condition and provide services relating exclusively 
to the activities of the industrial production enterprises operating und er the ZFI regime. For their 
part, enterprises which produce goods intended solely for the industries approved under the 
ZFI regime must meet the second and fourth conditions.  
2.41.   Any company that has benefited from a preferential regime under the Investment C ode may 
only be given ZFI status five years after the preferential regime has ended.  
2.42.   For activities covered by their approval under the ZFI regime, enterprises are eligible, as of 
the date of signature of the approval, for the tax concessions set out in Ta ble 2.2.  
Table 2.2 Tax concessions under Benin's Industrial Free Zone regime  
Measure  Concessions  
Import duties and taxes 
(excluding municipal 
tax) Exemption upon import of machinery, equipment and tools; spa re parts specifically 
for the equipment imported; raw materials and semi -finished goods; products to be 
used for packaging and wrapping processed products; fuel; lubricants; building 
materials; office furniture and office consumables; electric generators a nd parts; 
telecommunications equipment; appliances for air conditioners in companies 
approved under the ZFI regime and cold stores. For goods vehicles purchased by 
the companies, there is a 60% reduction on these duties and taxes. Only the 
municipal tax is  payable upon export.  
Industrial and 
commercial profits tax 
(BIC)  Exemption for the first 10, 12 and 15 years, respectively, for geographical zones 1, 
2 and 3. Reduction to a 20% rate (normal rate 25% or 30% depending on the 
case) for five years as of the  11th, 13th and 16th years, depending on the zone.  
Employers' contribution  4% rate on salaries (compared to a normal rate of 8%) for five years.  
Income tax on securities  5% rate (compared to a normal rate of 18%) for five years.  
Property tax on 
develop ed and 
undeveloped land, 
business tax  Exemption for ten years.  
VAT Exemption for the delivery of semi -finished goods, packaging, works and services 
supplied to the approved enterprise. Export at zero rate (general export regime).  
Source:  Law No.  2005-16 of 8  September  2005 establishing the ZFI regime.  
2.43.   The free zone regime also provides concessions for "zone promoters", which are public or 
private legal entities that have developed and equipped a parcel of land which they own or of 
which they have right of use and which they operate as a geographically defined free zone, after 
approval.  
 WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  3  TRADE POLICIES AND P RACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.1  Measures directly affecting imports  
3.1.1   Customs procedures, valuation and requirements  
3.1.  There have been no changes to the registration  requirements for importers since Benin's 
previous trade policy review (TPR). They continue to be governed by Law No.  90-005 of 
15 May 1990 determining the criteria for engaging in trade in the Republic of Benin (as amended 
by Law No.  93-007 of 29  March  1993) and Decree No.  93-313 of 29  December  1993. Any natural 
or legal person of any nationality may freely import authorized products.  
3.2.  The profession of importer or exporter is subject to listing in the Trade Register upon 
payment of CFAF 10,000 for legal pe rsons and CFAF 5,000 for natural persons. In addition, traders 
must be registered with the Ministry of Trade in order to be given an identification number 
(importer -exporters' code). This is issued upon payment of a flat rate admission fee of 
CFAF 30,000. When setting up a company, the initial annual payment to the Chamber of 
Commerce and Industry is CFAF 50,000 for Beninese citizens and CFAF 150,000 for foreigners, 
representing the fee for admission to the Chamber. The following year, the subscription is 
calculated pro rata  to the economic operator's turnover.  
3.3.  Most customs procedures remain unchanged since Benin's previous TPR, although efforts are 
being made to modernize customs clearance operations. In 2013, the Government adopted a 
customs reform strateg y for the period 2013 -2016 with the aim, inter alia,  of building the customs 
administration's capacity, modernizing customs clearance tools and improving the mobilization of 
customs revenue through: (a) better risk management; (b) control of customs value through a 
"customs value certification programme"; (c) pre -customs clearance control measures by installing 
scanners; (d) post -customs clearance control measures; and (e) rational implementation of the 
various customs procedures, including tracking of good s in transit and a plan to reduce 
exemptions, although no reduction plan was introduced during the review period.  
3.4.  In 2014, Benin adopted Law No.  2014-20 of 27  June 2014 establishing the Customs Code. 
This governs all customs procedures in Benin and takes i nto account most of the provisions in the 
WAEMU Community Code. Goods must have a customs declaration for all customs procedures; 
exemption from import duties and taxes does not dispense with this requirement. In principle, a 
detailed declaration is filed by approved  customs brokers (or forwarding agents) or directly by 
importers. The latter must, however, possess a temporary and revocable customs clearance 
authorization for transactions concerning specific goods, issued by the Minister responsible for 
finance. The criteria for approval of customs brokers have been harmonized within WAEMU 
(common  report, section 3).  
3.5.  The following documents are required for customs procedures: importer's licence; invoice; 
freight note; invoice showing the insurance premium an d, where applicable, the preshipment 
inspection certificate, certificate of origin and phytosanitary certificate. Imports entering by sea 
must be accompanied by an electronic cargo tracking note (ECTN) drawn up by the National 
Shippers' Council. To obtain this note, the shipper, or his representative, must register on the 
electronic platform (Internet  site) which issues ECTNs and provide a copy of the bill of lading and 
the invoice. The following fees apply: €25 (CFAF 16,250) per bill of lading for cargo from Europe or 
Africa and €100 (CFAF 65,000) per bill of lading for cargo from Asia, Oceania or America.  
3.6.  In principle, customs clearance procedures have been computerized using the ASYCUDA 
WORLD system. Benin is interconnected with Niger customs' electronic platform. According to the 
authorities, the computerized network covers all customs posts in Benin and all declarations are 
registered electronically.  
3.7.  Since 2015, Benin has had a single window for foreign tr ade transactions in the Port of 
Cotonou. According to the authorities, this has enabled transactions to be streamlined by making 
them paperless. All procedures with the various agencies are carried out using a single interactive 
platform. For each shipment , using a computer connected to the Internet, the user (the importer 
or the declarant) submits all the information required for the single window electronically on a 
dedicated and secured website. Decisions by the various competent agencies are processed a nd WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  forwarded to the user through the system. Adoption of the single window appears to save time. 
According to the authorities, the average time taken for customs clearance is 48 hours from the 
moment of filing the customs declaration accompanied by all the  necessary documents. According 
to the World Bank's Doing Business 2016 report, however, the average time is 72 hours.1 
3.8.  Customs declarations are processed according to a risk assessment method that provides for 
three channels: green ( good for release ), yel low (inspection of documents) and red (inspection of 
documents and physical inspection). According to the authorities, barely 10% of goods go through 
the red channel. The main factors taken into account for the risk assessment are: the 
reputation/trustwort hiness of the importer; the person making the declaration; the type pf goods; 
the import regime; the country of origin or source of the goods; the nationality of the carrier; the 
mode of transport; and the currency of the invoice. In general, the green cha nnel is for vehicles 
with a fixed value in transit to countries in the hinterland; vehicles and goods for the destination 
State in the hinterland; and used vehicles with a fixed value going to coastal countries. The 
red channel is mainly for vehicles shipp ed in containers and fabrics and clothing of Asian origin. 
Other goods are dealt with through the yellow channel.  
3.9.  Benin does not have any formal system of approved economic operators. According to the 
authorities, however, a plan to introduce such a system  is being finalized, an advance decision 
system was adopted in January  2017 and it is expected to become operational by December  2017. 
Moreover, the customs authority has created a service dedicated to providing economic agents 
with customs information.  
3.10.   There is a clearing credit mechanism in Benin for perishable goods, pursuant to the 
provisions of the Community Code (common  report, section 3). When this mechanism is used, the 
increment is 3 per mil of the total amount of the duties and taxes payable.  
3.11.   Benin has not yet ratified the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation and has not notified its 
category A measures either.  
3.12.   During the review period, Benin continued to impose mandatory preshipment inspection of 
goods. In 2011, BENIN CONTROL, a company incorporate d under Beninese law, was entrusted by 
the Government with implementing a "Programme for the verification of new generation imports" 
which looked at prices and tariff headings for goods; the contract between BENIN CONTROL and 
the Beninese Government was, h owever, suspended in 2012. As a result, between 2012 and 2014 
the preshipment inspection system was suspended.  
3.13.   In April  2014, Benin made SGS SA responsible for introducing a customs value certification 
programme (PCV) and BIVAC (BUREAU VERITAS) for the pur chase, installation and operation of 
scanners in Benin. In practice, the customs used the expertise of SGS SA in case of any doubts as 
to value, but the contract to operate the scanner was never implemented. After three years, the 
Beninese customs should t ake over the whole customs valuation procedure. According to the  
authorities, however, since 1  April 2017, the Government has given BENIN CONTROL responsibility 
for certifying the value of goods.  
3.14.   Benin has not submitted any notification to the WTO in relat ion to customs valuation of 
goods. In principle, the WAEMU regulations on customs value remain in force in Benin 
(common  report, section 3.1.2). These WAEMU regulations, together with Benin's Customs Code, 
fully incorporate the WTO provisions on customs va luation. WAEMU also has a community system 
of reference values with the aim of "combating false declarations of value and unfair competition". 
In practice, the Beninese customs were using a list of values up to January  2017 but have 
indicated that it is no  longer in use.  
3.15.   Reference values continue to apply, however, to determine the value of imported used 
vehicles. A system of floor values is in effect for vehicles over ten years old.  
                                                
1 The time includes preparation and filing of the documents during handling in the port or at the border, 
customs procedures and inspections ; the cost is not negligible. Online information viewed at:  
http://francais.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/benin/#close . WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  3.1.2    Rules of origin  
3.16.   Benin has notified the WTO that it does not apply any non -preferential rules of origin.2 
3.17.   In principle, WAEMU's preferential rules of origin, whose basic provisions are harmonized 
with those of ECOWAS, apply in Benin. Nevertheless, some problems have been encountered in 
implementing these rules ( common  report, se ction 3).  
3.18.   The National Approval Committee receives applications for approval of access to the WAEMU 
and ECOWAS preferential schemes. If need be, economic operators are asked to file 
two applications for approval.3 If the decision is favourable, approval is  issued by the Ministry 
responsible for industry. The list of approved products, together with the accompanying 
documentation, is sent to the respective WAEMU and ECOWAS Commissions for transmission to 
member States. A certificate of origin is valid for th e product concerned for a period of six months.  
3.1.3   Customs duties  
3.19.   Benin has applied the ECOWAS common external tariff (CET) since 1  January  2015. It 
comprises five rates (instead of four for the former WAEMU CET): zero, 5%, 10%, 20% and the 
new 35% rate. Beni n also imposes other community duties and taxes, namely: the statistical tax 
(RS) of 1% (5% on goods imported under suspensive procedures); the ECOWAS community levy 
(PC) of 0.5% on behalf of the ECOWAS Commission; and the community solidarity levy (PCS) o f 
1% on behalf of the WAEMU Commission. Benin does not, however, apply the provisional taxes 
(community taxes but optional at the national level) allowed during the period of adjustment to 
the ECOWAS CET (common report, section 3).  
3.20.   In addition to other com munity duties and taxes, Benin imposes other levies, for example, 
port charges such as stevedoring -cargo handling (CFAF 1,000/t), port fees (CFAF 1,300/t) and 
customs seal taxes (CFAF 25 per seal). A "computer fee" of CFAF 10,000 applies to each customs 
declaration for all goods imported into Benin, as well as those exported or re -exported.  
3.21.   Benin's bindings apply to a total of 39.6% of its tariff lines (common report, Table 3.10). 
During the Uruguay Round, Benin bound agricultural products at a ceiling of 6 0%, with the 
exception of vegetable oils (HS 1507 -1522), wheat starch ( HS 1108.11) and corn starch 
(HS 1108.12), which were bound at 100%. Lower rates apply to the bindings made before the 
Uruguay Round on Benin's behalf, when it was a colony. These concer n milk, not concentrated or 
sweetened, dairy cream not concentrated or sweetened, concentrated milk without sugar or added 
sugar, bound at 7%, as well as cereal flour (of wheat, spelt or meslin), bound at 5%.  
3.22.   In addition, 24 four -digit tariff lines of HS C hapter 254 were bound at 50% during the 
Uruguay Round, while the previous tariff bindings for some other non -agricultural products were 
4% to 75%. Other duties and taxes were bound at 19%.  
3.23.   Currently, for some 623 tariff lines, the MFN rates applied by Beni n exceed the 
corresponding bound levels.  
3.1.4   Other taxes  
3.24.   The regimes (except for the rates) for VAT, excise duty, the tax on petroleum products, as 
well as the advance payment of industrial and commercial profits tax (BIC), have been harmonized 
within WAEMU (c ommon report, section 3). In Benin, the standard rate of VAT is 18%; the General 
Tax Code provides a list of goods (imported or domestically produced) exempt from VAT. 
Ad valorem excise duties are: 1% on wheat flour, edible fats and oils; 7% on non -alcohol ic 
beverages, except for water; 7% on cosmetics; 20% on beer and cider, and private vehicles of  
                                                
2 WTO documents G/RO/W/166 of 22  September  2016; and G/RO/N/149 of 1  September  2016.  
3 Applications, accompanied by 12 copies of the approval documentation, must be filed with the 
Directorate of Regional Integration in the Ministry of the Economy and Finance. A  fee of CFAF 100,000 is 
payable at the time of filing.  
4 The tariff lines are : HS 2502; 2503; 2504; 2505; 2 506; 2507; 2508; 2509; 2510; 2511; 2512; 2513; 
2514; 2515; 2516; 2517; 2518; 2524; 2525; 2526; 2527; 2528; 2529 an d 2530 (Schedule of 
Concessions  XLVIII).  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  13 HP or more; 40% on wine and 45% on champagne. Special taxes (single special tax on 
petroleum products) are imposed on the following petroleum products: premi um petrol 
(CFAF  65/litre), regular petrol (CFAF 55/litre), diesel fuel (CFAF 20/litre), lubricants (CFAF 17/litre) 
and grease (CFAF 23/kg).  
3.25.   Pursuant to Law No.  2008-09 of 30  December  2008, an ecotax on polluting activities is 
imposed on a list of imported or domestic products at rates ranging from 0.25% to 5% of the c.i.f. 
value or production cost for domestically produced products (Table 3.1).  
Table 3.1 Ecotax, 2016  
Product  Rate applied  
Batteries and accumula tors 0.5% of the c.i.f. value or the domestic production cost  
Disposable recipients and packaging other than in 
plastic and containing various products  0.5% of the c.i.f. value  
Empty disposable recipients and packaging other 
than in plastic  0.25% of th e c.i.f. value  
Sulphur under the transit regime  CFAF 25/kg  
Tobacco and cigarettes  5% of the c.i.f. value or the domestic production cost  
Source:  Law No.  2008-09 of 30  December  2008.  
3.26.   The advance payment on profits tax (AIB) is levied on registered taxpa yers with a single tax 
identification number at a rate of 1%, while non -registered operators pay 5%.  
3.27.   A special standing advance (AFS) of CFAF 50,000 is levied on each used vehicle imported or 
in transit (except for vehicles going to Burkina Faso or Niger).  
3.1.5   Import prohibitions and restrictions and import licensing  
3.28.   Pursuant to the Customs Code, the list of prohibited goods is determined according to the 
regulations of the WAEMU Council of Ministers (common report, section 3.2.3). Consequently, 
pursuant to WAE MU regulations, the Ministries responsible for the environment and trade each 
year establish the import quota for ozone -depleting substances after consulting the branch's 
operators. A special authorization from the Directorate of Foreign Trade, valid for s ix months, is 
required to import such substances.5 
3.29.   As a signatory to the Montreal Protocol, Benin undertook to ban the production and import 
of chlorofluorocarbons as of January  2010 and in 2010 a draft law was being prepared for this 
purpose.  
3.30.   Some goods c an only be imported by authorized importers because of their particular 
and/or strategic nature or to ensure adequate supplies on the domestic market and guarantee 
their quality. They include in particular: narcotics, psychotropic substances; laboratory re agents; 
edible plant products; pharmaceuticals; medical equipment; explosives; toxic and corrosive 
products; products subject to spontaneous combustion; inflammable products  and fuels  
(section  4); fertilizer; cement; radioactive products; and liquids with a flashpoint.  
3.31.   In 2009, Benin imposed temporary bans on imports by road or river, even from WAEMU 
member countries, for some fast -moving consumer products (Table 3.3). In addition, frozen 
foodstuffs of animal origin not of ECOWAS origin can only be imported  through the autonomous 
port of Cotonou or Cotonou's international airport.6 According to the authorities, the majority of 
these measures are to protect human health by preventing the introduction of tainted food 
products through land borders where control s are less strict.  
                                                
5 Order No. 002/MEHU/MICPE/MFE/DC/SG/DE/SEL/DEE/SR of 8 January  2003. 
6 Decree No. 91-50 of 2 9 March  1991 regulating the import of foodstuffs of animal origin.  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  3.32.   The import and transit of bovine meat and its by -products from any origin has required prior 
authorization from the Livestock Directorate since 2009.7 
Table 3.2 Temporary import bans, 2016  
Import banned  Product  Legislative text  
By road or river  Wheat flour  Order No.  30/MICPE/DC/SG/DCCI/DC of 23  May 2006 
By road  Vegetable oil  Order No.  1357/MFE/DC/SGM/DGDDI/DAR of 
8 November  2004 Rice 
Sugar  
Frozen fish  
Frozen meat and offal  
By road Refrigerated fish  Order No.  640/MFE/DC/SGM/DGDDI/DAR of 
26 May 2005 Refrigerated meat and 
offal 
Refrigerated or frozen 
dead poultry  
By road  Edible oils  Order No.  1115/MDEF/MIC/DC/SG/DGDDI/DGCI/DGCE 
of 8 November  2006a 
a Order No.  87/MIC/MEF/D C/SG/DGDDI/DGCE/DGCI of 18  December  2007 excludes edible oils 
originating in WAEMU and ECOWAS from the temporary ban.  
Source:  Ministry of Trade.  
3.1.6   Contingency measures  
3.33.   Benin has never taken any contingency measure. Moreover, it does not have any national 
legal structure in this respect. A WAEMU community code has been in force in countries belonging 
to the Union since 2004 and fully incorporates the provisions of the relevant WTO Agreement 
(common  report, section 3.1.7).8 
3.1.7   Other measures  
3.34.   Benin applies the trad e sanctions adopted by the United Nations or regional organizations to 
which it belongs. It does not participate in countertrade and has not signed any agreement with 
governments or foreign firms with a view to influencing the quantity or value of goods or  services 
exported to its market.  
3.35.   According to the authorities, domestic legislation contains no provisions regarding local 
content ; no benefits are contingent on compliance with such criteria. In addition, there are buffer 
stocks of basic foodstuffs and p etroleum products (section 4.2).  
3.2  Measures directly affecting exports  
3.2.1   Customs procedures and requirements  
3.36.   The registration formalities applicable to imports of goods for commercial purposes also 
apply to exports (section 2 above). All exports must have a cu stoms declaration. An average of 
24 hours is required for customs procedures upon export.  
3.37.   The export of gold, diamonds or any other precious metals or stones requires joint approval 
by the Ministers responsible for finance and mining.  
3.38.   Just as for imports a nd exports, goods in transit must be declared, either by an approved 
customs broker (or forwarding agent) or directly by the trader. They also require a road escort, 
provided by the Beninese customs. The cost of a customs escort includes a monitoring and c ontrol 
                                                
7 Order No. 162/MCAT/MDR/MSP/MFE/DC/DCI/DE of 2 6 December  2000, repealed by Order 
No. 57/MC/MAEP/MS/MEF/DAC/SGM/DGCI /DPCI/DE/SA of 24  July 2009. 
8 Regulation No.  9/2003/CM/UEMOA.  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  fee (RSC) of CFAF 99,000 for the goods and CFAF 47,200 for the vehicles, in addition to a "convoy 
assembly tax" of CFAF 25,000 for staying in the assembly area before the convoy leaves.9 
3.39.   Goods in transit are not subject to import duties or taxes, bu t a non -refundable contribution 
of 0.25% to the guarantee fund set up by ECOWAS is levied on goods in transit on behalf of 
Benin's Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Levies in the form of the municipal tax, the statistical 
tax (Table 3.3), the customs stamp  duty and the special standing advance payment on vehicles in 
transit to landlocked countries constitute a deposit.10 The deposit is refunded when proof is 
provided that the vehicle has legally left Beninese territory.  
3.40.   Moreover, overseas -registered transpor t vehicles of a weight of 1,500 kg or more have to 
pay an internal road tax of CFAF 5,000, plus the customs stamp duty; overseas -registered vehicles 
for private use have to pay a temporary import tax of the same amount.  
Table 3.3 Summary of taxes on exports, re -exports and goods in transit, 2016  
(Percentage of f.o.b. value)  
Scheme  Municipal 
tax Statistical 
tax Special 
re-export tax  Guarantee 
fund Totala 
Transit to landlocked countries  n/ab n/a n/a 0.25 0.25 
Transit to coastal countries  0.85 5 n/a 0.25 6.1 
Re-export  0.85 5 4c 0.25 10.1 
Single temporary admission  0.85 5 n/a n/a 5.85 
Special temporary admission  0.85 5 n/a n/a 5.85 
Export of indigenous products  0.85 n/a n/a n/a 0.85 
n/a Not applicable.  
a Customs stamp duty is payable on all receipts issued by the customs authority for duties and taxes 
paid on entry or exit at a rate of 4% of the amount of the receipt.  
b The municipal tax on goods in transit to landlocked countries was suspended in January  2009. 
c The following products (HS tariff lines) are subject to the special re -export tax (TSR): 
milk (0402910000); vegetable oils (1511901000 and 1511909000); sugar (1701911000 to 
1701919000); edible pasta (1902110000 to 1902400000); alcoholic beverages, i ncluding beer 
(2203001000 to 2205900000 and 2207200000 to 2208900000); new tyres (4011100000 to 
4011990000); new inner tubes (4013100000 to 4013900000); fabrics (5001000000 to 5516940000, 
5801100000 to 5811000000 and 6001100000 to 6006900000); and reinforc ing steel (7214990000).  
Source:  Information provided by the Directorate -General of Customs and Indirect Taxation.  
3.2.2   Taxes, duties and levies  
3.41.   A fiscal exit duty of 3% of the f.o.b. value is levied on exports of cocoa beans, crude oil and 
precious metals and s tones.  
3.42.   In addition, certain taxes are imposed on an ad valorem basis on goods exported or in 
transit (Table 3.5). As is the case for imports, a computer fee is levied on exports and re -exports.  
3.43.   Zero rate VAT applies to products and services exported.  
3.2.3   Expor t prohibitions and restrictions and export licensing  
3.44.   In order to protect natural resources, Benin bans the export of unprocessed teak wood and 
charcoal. Export bans also apply to cotton seed and food crops.  
3.45.   The export of animals, animal and agricultural pr oducts, and plant material require a 
sanitary/phytosanitary certificate issued by the Ministry responsible for agriculture.  
                                                
9 There is an escort to coastal countries every day of the week except Sundays and holidays ; there are 
convoys to the hinterland countries every Tuesday, Thursday, Fr iday and Saturday.  
10 This deposit, whose amount is lower than the amount of the duties and taxes payable, is not, 
however, conducive to combating fraud.   WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  3.46.    The export of precious metals requires approval from the Minister of Finance, unless the 
articles only contain a small quantity of metal, weigh less than 500 g  or comprise a maximum of 
ten gold pieces or are exported by the Treasury or the BCEAO.  
3.47.   Pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding (Badagry Memorandum), Beninese customs 
helps Nigeria to ensure compliance with the export bans i n force in Nigeria.  
3.2.4   Export support and promotion  
3.48.   Benin's latest notification under Article XVI:1 of the GATT 1994 and Article 25 of the 
Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures dates back to 1998 and concerned the 
absence of export subsidies in 1 996 and 1997.11 
3.49.   The Investment Code and the Industrial Free Zone (ZFI) regime give various reductions, 
exemptions or other fiscal incentives (including import duty) that also apply to imported raw 
materials and packaging to be used to manufacture products f or export (section 2). Exports  of 
worked or manufactured products from free zones and free points by enterprises approved under 
the ZFI regime only have to pay the municipal tax. It would appear, however, that since the 
ECOWAS CET came into effect, compani es approved under the ZFI regime in principle no longer 
receive tariff preferences within countries in the region such as Nigeria, as community origin does 
not apply to their products. Nevertheless, since 2016, following an amendment to the Investment 
Code, enterprises approved under the ZFI provisions may renounce this regime and opt for the 
benefits afforded by the Investment Code.  
3.50.   Within the CCIB, the AGOA resource centre, set up in 2010, helps Beninese exporters to 
take advantage of the benefits offered  by the AGOA (trade preferences).  
3.51.   In 2014, under the supervision of the Office of the President of the Republic, the 
Government set up the Investment and Export Promotion Agency (APIEX) to support export and 
investment in Benin. It is the result of amalgam ation of the Beninese Trade Promotion Agency 
(ABePEC), the single window for business formalities (GUFE) and the Presidential Investment 
Council (CPI). The APIEX disseminates trade information on foreign markets as part of its export 
promotion activities.  
3.3  Measures affecting production and trade  
3.3.1   Incentives  
3.52.   In addition to the customs procedures provided at the community level, since 1993 Benin 
has applied a special temporary admission procedure for equipment imported by companies in 
order to carry out public works and construction.12 This is granted upon request and makes it 
possible to calculate the duties and taxes payable based on the length of amortization of the 
equipment and its use in customs territory; the total amount payable must not exceed 7% and is 
due when the goods are declared at the customs.  
3.53.   Benin grants duty and tax reductions and exemptions under its Investment Code, mining 
contracts and its ZFI regime (section 2). In addition, several import duty exemption schemes are 
regularly introduced and/ or renewed annually (Table 3.4).  
3.54.   The Finance Law for 2016 introduced the temporary removal of customs duty and VAT on 
certain computer and transport equipment for the year 2017, although they are still subject to the 
PCS, the PC and the statistical tax.13 
                                                
11 WTO documents G/SCM/N/38/BEN of 3 0 September  1998 and G/AG/N/BEN/1 of 2 7 October  1998. 
12 Order No. 02g/MF/DC/DDDI of 9 February  1993. 
13 Law No. 2016-33 of 2 6 December  2016. 
 WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  Table 3.4 Exemptions, 2010 -2016  
Goods imported  Concessions  Period applied  
Computer equipment (including 
software)  Exemption from VAT, customs duties and 
taxes, except for the community solidarity 
levy, the co mmunity levy and the 
statistical tax  2004-2017 
New vehicles intended for public 
transporta Exemption from all duties and taxes, 
except for the community solidarity levy, 
the community levy, the statistical tax 
and the municipal tax  2004-2009 
Agricultura l inputs, phytosanitary 
equipment and apparatusa Exemption from import duties and taxes, 
except for the statistical tax  2004-2017 
Agricultural machinery and 
equipmenta Exemption from import duties and taxes, 
except for the statistical tax and customs 
stamp duty  2005-2015 
New equipment and materials 
intended for the construction of 
service stations , pavement petrol 
pumps, petrol a nd diesel fuel tanksa Exemption from import duties and taxes 
and VAT  2007-2015 
New tanker trucks intended for the 
distribution of petroleum products  Exemption from import duties and taxes 
and VAT  2008-2015 
a Exemption also applicable to domestically manufactured or purchased products.  
Source:  Beninese authorities.  
3.55.   Most of the incentives given by Benin are of a fiscal nature and are intended to foster the 
development of small and medium -sized enterprises, enterprises with high economic and social 
potential, and to support exporting. In addition to the benefits available under the Investment 
Code and the ZFI regime (section 2), the re are also exemptions for imports and purchases of 
certain specific inputs and capital goods on the domestic market (section 3.1). From 2011 to 2015, 
new companies legally incorporated did not have to pay the business tax for their first year of 
operation . For these companies, the employers' contribution on salaries was spread over 
three  years (25% for the first two years and then 50% the third year).  
3.56.   The Finance Law for 2015 introduced a single tax called the single business tax (TPU), 
combining income ta x, business tax, licence fees and the employers' contribution on salaries. For 
new companies, the TPU is spread over three years (25% for the first two years of operation and 
50% for the third year).  
3.3.2   Standards and other technical regulations  
3.57.   There have bee n some changes to the institutional framework for standardization since 
Benin's previous TPR. From 2010 to the end of 2016, under the supervision of the Ministry 
responsible for industry, the Beninese Standardization and Quality Management Agency (ABENOR) 
was responsible for drawing up, implementing and monitoring/following up the national policy on 
standardization, certification and quality promotion in Benin.14 The Beninese Metrology and Quality 
Control Agency (ABMCQ), under the supervision of the Ministry  responsible for industry and trade, 
was in charge of controlling measuring instruments, expertise and metrological control of industrial 
machinery and the scheme for accrediting food analysis laboratories.  
3.58.   In January  2017, ABENOR and ABMCQ were amalgamate d to form the National Metrology 
Standardization and Quality Control Agency (ANM), which is the enquiry point for the Agreement 
on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), even though it has not yet been notified as such to the WTO.  
3.59.   Standardization initiatives m ay come from public authorities, consumers' associations or 
producers. Under the ANM, the National Standardization and Quality Management Council 
coordinates technical questions concerning normalization and certification activities and support for 
accredit ation. When a request for the introduction of a standard is received, the file is forwarded to  
                                                
14 Decree No. 2010-477 of 5 November  2010 on the establishment , functions , organization and 
operation of ABENOR.  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  the competent technical committee. In 2016, there were eight technical committees dealing with 
the following areas: agriculture and agricultural products, buildi ng and public works, food 
products, electricity and electrical equipment, chemicals, textiles, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. 
These technical committees are responsible for preparing standards. Draft standards go through a 
public enquiry phase in order to receive amendments from the actors involved. After this phase, 
the technical committees adopt the draft standards. Lastly, an order from the Minister responsible 
for industry publishes the standard in the Official Journal. Benin has accepted Annex III to t he 
WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade.15 
3.60.   According to the authorities, there were 251 national standards in force in Benin in 
March  2017 and no national technical regulation had been introduced. The Beninese authorities 
apply international technic al regulations to protect animal, plant and consumer health 
(section  3.3.3). The conformity of imports with mandatory standards (technical regulations) has to 
be certified by a body recognized by Benin. For example, the inspection of processed food is 
supervised by the Directorate of Food and Applied Nutrition (DANA), which has its own laboratory. 
In addition, the National Public Health Laboratory (LNSP), under the Ministry responsible for 
health, is in charge of food metrology, and the Laboratory of Earth,  Water and Environmental 
Sciences (LSSEE) is responsible for analysing soil, water and fisheries products.  
3.61.   Other agencies responsible for implementation and verification of conformity include the 
National Centre for Public Works Testing and Research (CNER -TP), under the supervision of the 
Minister responsible for public works and transport; the Energy Directorate in the Ministry 
responsible for mining, energy and water resources; and the Directorate of Pharmacy, Medicines 
and Diagnostic Tests in the Ministr y responsible for health.  
3.62.   There is a mutual recognition agreement between Benin and Nigeria on standardization, 
accreditation and certification, although its provisions have never been implemented.  
3.3.3   Sanitary and phytosanitary  measures  
3.63.   The main feature of th e legal and institutional framework for controlling food safety 
continues to be the existence of a large number of legal and regulatory texts (Table 3.5). The  
danger of such a situation is that it makes the sanitary control system ineffective and costly fo r 
economic actors.  
Table 3.5 SPS regulatory framework, Benin  
Legislative text  Description  
Law No.  84-009 of 15  March  1984 Establishing the control of foodstuffs  
Decree No.  85-241 of 14  June 1985 Additives u sed in foodstuffs, content of contaminants and 
undesirable substances in these foodstuffs, materials in 
contact with these foodstuffs and cleaning products for these 
materials  
Decree No.  85-242 of 14  June 1985 Labelling and presentation of foodstuffs  
Decree No.  85-243 of 14  June 1985 Hygiene in the production and marketing of foodstuffs  
Decree No.  85-245 of 14  June 1985 Responsibilities, composition and functioning of the National 
Codex Alimentarius Committee  
Law No.  87-015 of 21  September  1987 Public H ygiene Code (Articles 36 to 45 and Article 156 with 
regard to penalties)  
Law No.  91-004 of 11  February  1991 The Republic of Benin's phytosanitary regulations  
Decree No.  92-258 of 18  September  1992 Detailed rules for implementation of Law No.  91-004 of 
February  1991 
Order No.  85 MDR/DC/CC/CP of 22  April 1993 Professional hygiene required for the sale of 
phytopharmaceuticals and their use by providers of services  
Order No.  186 MDR/DC/CC/CP of 22  April 1993 Labelling, packaging and the technical notice for  authorized 
pharmaceuticals  
                                                
15 WTO d ocument G/TBT/CS/N/142 of 1 4 May 2002. 
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  Legislative text  Description  
Order No.  187 MDR/DC/CC/CP of 22  April 1993 Content of applications for authorization, testing and 
approval of phytopharmaceuticals  
Order No.  188 MDR/DC/CC/CP of 22  April 1993 Criteria for authorization and use in agriculture of 
phytopharmaceuticals containing certain hazardous 
substances  
Interministerial Order  
No. 255/MDR/MF DC/CC/CP of 19  May 1993 Ban on the use in agriculture of active ingredients contained 
in phytopharmaceuticals  
Order No.  302 MS/DC/SA of 6  February  1995 Responsibilities, organization and functioning of the 
Directorate of Hygiene and Basic Sanitation  
Interministerial Order No.  128 
MDR/MF/DC/CC/CP of 7  March  1995 Phytosanitary control of plants and plant products upon 
import or export  
Order No.  591/MDR/ DC/CC/CP of 
26 October  1995 Professional authorization required for the sale of 
phytopharmaceuticals and their use by providers of services  
Order No.  592/MDR/ DC/CC/CP of 
26 October  1995 General conditions for the use of certain fumigants in 
agriculture and special provisions on methyl bromide and 
hydrogen phosphide  
Order No.  593/MDR/ DC/CC/CP of 
26 October  1995 Content of applications for authorization, testing and 
approval of phytopharmaceuticals  
Interministerial Order 
No. 40/MCAT/MDR/MSPSCF/ 
MEHU/MF/DC/DC I/DCE of 23  May 1997 Ban on the import and sale in the Republic of Benin of 
anti-mosquito insecticides containing active ingredients and 
chemical products harmful to human health and the 
environment  
Order No.  251/MDR/ DC/CC/CP of 29  July 1997 Authorization  of phytopharmaceuticals  
Decree No.  97-616 of 18  December  1997 Implementation of Law No.  87-015 of 21  September  1987 
containing the Public Hygiene Code  
Decree No.  97-624 of 31  December  1997 Structure, composition and functioning of the Sanitary Police  
Order No.  1106 MSP/DC/SGM/DPP/CASES/SA 
of 22 February  2000 Creating a local sanitary brigade in each commune  
Decree No.  114 of 9  April 2003 Quality assurance for fisheries products in the Republic of  
Benin  
Order No.  245 
MAEP/D -CAS/SGM/DRH/DPQC/SA of 
30 July 2007 Rules for the organization and procedures for quality control, 
market preparation and traceability of agricultural products 
of plant origin  
Order No.  74/MAEP/D -CAB/SGM/DRH/DP/SA of 
26 February  2009 Special rules for the organization of official co ntrols of 
products of animal origin for human consumption  
Order No.  75/MAEP/D -CAB/SGM/DRH/DP/SA of 
26 February  2009 General principles and general requirements for food 
legislation, food safety and procedures for the safety of 
foodstuffs  
Order No.  122/MAEP/D -CAB/SGM/DRH/DP/SA 
of 23 March  2009 Food hygiene  
Order No.  123/MAEP/D -CAB/SGM/DRH/DP/SA 
of 23 March  2009 Special hygiene rules for foodstuffs  
Order No.  133/MAEP/D -CAB/SGM/DRH/SA of 
30 March  2009 Regulations on official controls intended to verify the 
conformity of legislation on animal feed and foodstuffs with 
the provisions on animal health and welfare  
Decree No.  2011-113 of 8  May 2012 Establishing the Beninese Food Safety Agency  
Framework Law No.  2014/19 of 7  August  2014 Fishing and aquacultur e in the Republic of Benin  
Source:  Information provided by the Beninese authorities.  
3.64.   In 2012, with the joint support of Belgian cooperation, the European Union and FAO, Benin 
set up the Beninese Food Safety Agency (ABSSA), which remains under the supervis ion of the 
Ministry responsible for agriculture, livestock and fisheries.16 The Agency controls food quality and 
safety and also has a monitoring, early warning and information role in relation to food safety. It 
has introduced inspection programmes in food  processing facilities. It analyses and assesses 
                                                
16 Decree No. 2011-113 o f 8 May 2012. WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  conformity through the "Central Food Safety Control Laboratory" (LCSSA) in the Ministry 
responsible for agriculture, based in Cotonou. In 2016, the LCSSA was accredited by BELAC with 
the ISO 17025 standard i n the sphere of microbiology, enabling it to assess the conformity of 
imported agricultural and agri -food products and those intended for export.  
3.65.   In 2002, the European Union had suspended the export of shrimps from Benin to its 
market. With the creation of  ABSSA, however, Benin now has the required means of inspection  
and has been reinstated in the list of third countries authorized to export fisheries products to the  
EU. Nevertheless, the shrimp fishing sector has subsequently found it difficult to attain the level of 
exports prior to the ban.  
3.66.   The competent services of the Ministry responsible for health inspect and control facilities 
producing and selling food and are also responsible for epidemiological and sanitary surveillance at 
borders, ports and airp orts, and for hygiene and basic sanitation.  
3.67.   The Directorate in charge of livestock is responsible for inspecting and controlling food of 
animal origin and live animals. It also has responsibility for the sanitary safety of animals. The 
veterinary services issue certificates for the export of animals to neighbouring countries, although 
this activity does not appear to comply with the relevant OIE standards.17 All importers of products 
of animal origin must apply to the Director responsible for livestock for a n import permit. A 
sanitary certificate issued by the country of origin has to be submitted for the import of animals or 
products of animal origin.  
3.68.   The Division for the control and monitoring of fisheries products, part of the Directorate of 
fisheries prod uction in the Ministry responsible for agriculture, controls the hygiene of fisheries 
products, particularly  those for export.  
3.69.   The safety of plant production is the responsibility of the competent services of the 
Directorate in charge of plant production. This Directorate is also responsible for phytosanitary 
monitoring and for organizing the sanitary control of plants and plant products, as well as for 
controlling the quality of inputs.  
3.70.   A permit issued by the Ministry responsible for agriculture is require d to import plant 
products for consumption (valid for six months for the product concerned). When goods enter, the 
import permit and the phytosanitary certificate issued by the exporting country must be submitted 
for documentary inspection, but this does n ot dispense with conformity control. The Directorate 
responsible for plant protection takes samples for analysis. Inspection of imported plant products 
by the Directorate is free of charge.  
3.71.   An authorization is required to import, manufacture or use pestici des 
(phytopharmaceuticals) on Beninese territory. Requests for authorization, sale, testing or approval 
have to be submitted to the National Committee for the Approval and Control of 
Phytopharmaceuticals (CNAC). The fees payable are: CFAF 200,000 for exami ning the file on a 
product (CFAF 100,000 for renewal); and CFAF 500,000 for professional approval of a single 
distributor or applicator for a product (CFAF  250,000 for renewal). If the application is accepted, 
the approval authorization is issued in an ord er by the Minister responsible for agriculture. There 
are two types of approval: provisional approval for sale (APV) lasting four years; and 
approval -authorization (AH) for a period of ten  years.  
3.72.   Benin has not yet transposed the WAEMU  and ECOWAS provisions  to ensure the free 
movement of approved phytopharmaceuticals; the requirements on approval of imported products 
and the relevant procedures apply irrespective of the country of origin. In addition, Benin is 
drawing up national rules for fertilizers and se eds in conformity with the relevant WAEMU 
provisions.  
3.73.   Following cases of food poisoning caused by endosulfan, particularly in the northern part of 
Benin, the Ministry responsible for agriculture, livestock and fisheries notified the WTO of a ban on 
                                                
17 Online information v iewed at : http://www.oie.int/fileadmin/Home/eng/Support_to_OIE_Members/  
pdf/PVS_FU_Rapport -Benin.pdf . WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  the imp ort, distribution and use of all phytopharmaceuticals containing endosulfan as of 
November  2009.18 
3.74.   The enquiry point notified by Benin for the WTO SPS Agreement is the Director responsible 
for plant production. The Director -General of Foreign Trade is the n ational authority responsible for 
notifications.19 
3.75.   Benin acceded to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) in 2010.  
3.76.   Benin had a moratorium on the import and cultivation of GMOs up to 2013. Since that date, 
no appropriate legal framework has be en introduced.  
3.77.   There have been no changes to the requirements on packaging, marking and labelling 
during the review period. In general, Benin's regulations require that a description of the contents, 
instructions for use and the name and address of the man ufacturer or distributor should appear 
clearly and legibly in French. In addition to the general information, labels on 
phytopharmaceuticals must show the risk level by means of a coloured band at the bottom of the 
label and indicate the sales authorizatio n or approval number. Sellers who have been given 
approval may insert in products put on the market a technical notice in French covering one to a 
maximum of four pages reproducing and supplementing the information on the label.  
3.78.   Certain international provi sions on labelling are applied, for example, the Codex 
Alimentarius standards for food and the FAO directives on indicating the risk of 
phytopharmaceuticals.20 In accordance with the principles laid down in the WHO Framework 
Convention on Tobacco Control, c igarettes may only be sold in Benin in packets that clearly show, 
in legible characters on the front and back, the health warning "Tobacco seriously endangers 
health".21 
3.79.   Infant formula must mention that breastfeeding is to be preferred to bottle feeding and  
have a warning against the risks of inappropriate preparation.22 
3.3.4   Competition and price control policy  
3.80.   In principle, competition is regulated at the community and national levels. The competence 
of community competition authorities covers: anti -competitive understandings, abuse of a 
dominant position, State support, and other practices attributable to member States 
(common  report, section 3.3). Those areas not regulated at the WAEMU level fall within the 
competence of national authorities.  
3.81.   Until 2016, the na tional competition regime was governed by Ordinance No.  20/PR/MFAEP 
of 5 July 1967. It considers concerted action, agreements, express or tacit understandings, 
coalitions of any type or for any reason whose purpose is to hinder the free exercise of competi tion 
by preventing free pricing to be unlawful. The same applies to the activities of a company or group 
of companies in a dominant position on the domestic market whose purpose is, or may have the 
effect of, hindering the normal operation of the market. U nderstandings or dominant positions 
resulting from the implementation of legislative or regulatory texts are not covered by this 
definition, together with those whose proponents can prove that the aim is to improve and expand 
opportunities for production o r to ensure economic development.  
3.82.   Law No.  2007-21 of 16  October  2007 on consumer protection in the Republic of Benin deals 
in part with unfair competition and discriminatory practices on the part of companies. It prohibits 
                                                
18 WTO d ocum ent G/SPS/N/BEN/6 of 1 1 November  2010. 
19 WTO d ocuments G/SPS/ENQ/26 of 1 1 March 2011 and G/SPS/NNA/16 of 11  March  2011.  
20 Law No. 84-009 of 1 5 March  1984 and its implementing Decree No.  85-242 of 14 June 1985 on 
labelling ; Order No. 186 MDR/DC/CC/CP of 2 2 April 1993 on labelling, packaging and the technical notice for 
authorized pharmaceuticals . 
21 Law No. 2006-12 of 7 August  2006 regulating  the production, sale and consumption of cigarettes and 
other tobacco products . Online information v iewed at : http://www.abp.gouv.bj/affiche_dep. php?num_ 
depeche=2137 . 
22 Decree No. 97-643 of 3 1 December  1997 regulating the  sale of maternal milk substitutes and infant 
formula.  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  any advertising that includes in any form whatsoever false allegations, indications or presentations 
or those likely to mislead. The services of the Directorate responsible for trade are in charge of its 
implementation.  
3.83.   In 2016, a new Law was adopted to reorganize competition in Benin.23 It applies to any 
production, distribution of goods or provision  of services, including that provided by a public legal 
person when it competes with the private sector. It repealed the contrary provisions in the 
1967 Ordinance. Under the Ministry responsibl e for trade, the Directorate of free competition is in 
charge of implementing the Law and acts as the relevant focal point. The new Law deals, inter alia , 
with free pricing, anti -competitive practices, transparency in the market and unfair competition, 
restrictive individual practices such as promotional sales, consumer safety and the control and 
ascertaining of offences, legal proceedings and sanctions. It provides for the creation of the 
national competition council, whose implementing decree is in proces s of being adopted.  
3.84.   In general, the principle of free pricing remains in force, although the national authorities, 
through the Directorate of Domestic Trade, reserve the right to regulate the price of strategic 
goods and services, or if conditions are not competitive, especially in sectors where there are 
monopolies (either de facto or de jure ). Several regulatory methods are currently used for this 
purpose, namely: the determination of floor prices for cashew and shea nuts; the determination of 
ceiling pri ces for bread, inputs for cotton, seed cotton, refined petroleum products, medicines and 
other pharmaceutical or veterinary products.24 Moreover, although the price of postal services, 
water and electricity are fixed by the operators concerned, their applic ation must be approved by 
the regulatory authorities.  
3.85.   The Government may also take the necessary measures to prevent excessive price 
increases in crisis situations or when the market is not operating normally.  
3.3.5    State trading, State -owned enterprises and pr ivatization  
3.86.   Benin has not notified the WTO of State -trading enterprises within the meaning of 
Article  XVII of the GATT. Despite privatization, however, the State owns shares in a number of 
enterprises operating in most sectors of the economy (Table 3.6). A ccording to the authorities, 
State intervention is intended to ensure or support domestic production in important and/or 
strategic sectors of the national economy.  
3.87.   Since the process of liberalizing its economy started in 1988, Benin has liberalized 
37 enterprises, mainly by selling the enterprise as a whole, giving a management lease, leasing 
the company or granting a concession (Table 3.7).  
Table 3.6 State intervention in the economy, 2016  
Company  Sector  Shar e held by 
the State  Details  
Société nationale pour la 
promotion agricole ( SONAPRA)  Promotion of agricultural 
subsectors  100%  In process of being 
dissolved  
Société pour le développement 
du coton (SODECO)  Cotton ginning  66.4%  Semi-public company  
Centrale d'achat des intrants 
agricoles (CAI)  Supply of inputs  45% Sale of the State's share 
under way  
Port Autonome de Cotonou (PAC)  Port services  100%  Management contract for 
two future container 
terminals  
Société béninoise des 
manutentions portuaires 
(SOBEMAP)  Port services  100%  Privatization not yet 
envisaged  
Conseil national des chargeurs du 
Bénin (CNCB)  Port services  100%  Privatization not yet 
envisaged  
                                                
23 Law No. 2016-25 of 4 November  2016 on the organization of competition in the Republic of Benin.  
24 Decree No. 2001-244 of 1 6 July 2001. The retail price of pharmaceutical and veterinary products is 
determined by applying the coefficient 1.61 to the ex -factory pric e of the products excluding tax ; these 
products are VAT exempt.   WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  Company  Sector  Shar e held by 
the State  Details  
Compagnie béninoise pour la 
navigation maritime (COBENAM)  Maritime transport  100%  Reconstruction planne d 
Organisation commune 
Bénin -Niger (OCBN)  Rail transport  51% In process of being put 
out to concession  
Centre national d'essais et de 
recherches des travaux publics 
(CNERTP)  Public works  100%  Reorganization has not 
yet begun  
Société béninoise d'énergi e 
électrique (SBEE)  Electricity services  100%  Rehabilitation under way  
Société nationale des eaux du 
Bénin (SONEB)  Water services  100%  Privatization not yet 
envisaged  
Société des industries textiles du 
Bénin (SITEX)  Processing of cotton lint 
(unbleached ) 100%  State support of around 
CFAF 1.5 billion in 2016  
Compagnie béninoise des textiles 
(CBT)  Processing of cotton lint 
(unbleached)  49% Bilateral Benin -China  
Loterie nationale du Bénin (LNB)  Lottery  100%   
Société de gestion des marchés 
autonomes de Co tonou 
(SOGEMA)  Market management  100%   
Centres d'action régionale pour le 
développement rural, 
departments  Extension services  100%   
Office national de soutien et de 
stabilisation des prix des produits 
agricoles (ONS)  Securitizing and raising 
the income o f agricultural 
producers  100%   
Office national d'appui à la 
sécurité alimentaire (ONASA)  Food security  100%   
Office national du bois (ONAB)  Management of 
State -owned plantations 
and development of the 
forest economy  35% Sale of 65% in 
December  2009 
Office béninois de recherches 
géologiques et minières (OBRGM)  Development of 
resources in the subsoil  100%   
Institut géographique national 
(IGN)  Topography and 
cartography  100%   
Office de radiodiffusion et 
télévision du Bénin ( ORTB ) Radio and television 
broadcasting  100%   
Bénin Télécoms SA (BT SA)  Telephony and Internet  100%  Privatization project 
under way  
La Poste du Bénin SA (LPB SA)  Postal and financial 
services  100%   
Office national d'imprimerie et de 
presse (ONIP)  Printing and press  100%   
Office de gestion du stade de 
l'amitié (OGESA)  Sports facilities  100%   
Centre national de production de 
manuels scolaires (CNPMS)  Production of teaching 
manuals and documents  100%   
Centre national hospitalier et 
universitaire (CNHU)  Clinical care and train ing  100%   
Hôpital de Ouidah  Medical care  100%   
Hôpital mère enfant lagune 
(HOMEL)  Medical care  100%   
Hospitals, four departments 
(Atacora, Borgou, Oueme, and 
Zou)  Medical care  100%   
Société des ciments d'Onigbolo 
(SCO)  Cement works  0% Benin's share  (51%) sold 
in March  2010 
Sucobé (formerly Société 
sucrière de Savè)  Sugar production  49% Management lease  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  Company  Sector  Shar e held by 
the State  Details  
Société nationale de 
commercialisation des produits 
pétroliers (SONACOP) SA  Import, storage and 
distribution of 
hydrocarbons  35%  
SOBEBRA (former ly La Béninoise)  Brewery  8%  
Africaine des assurances 
(formerly SONAR)  Insurance  5%  
Continental Bank Benin  Banking  0% The 43.6% held by the 
State was sold in 
September  2008 
Banque de l'habitat  Banking  10%  
SERHAU -SEM Regional housing and 
urban plannin g studies  10%  
Appontement pétrolier du Bénin 
(ORIX)  Petroleum deposit  40%  
Caisse autonome 
d'amortissement (CAA)  Financial intermediation  100%  Manager of the public 
debt 
Source:  Directorate of Management and Control of State -owned Enterprises, Minist ry of the Economy and  
Finance.  
Table 3.7 List of companies according to the form of denationalization between 1988 
and 2017  
Total sale  Partial sale  Management 
lease  Lease  Concession  
 
1- SONAE  
 
2- RAVINAR  
 
3- Abattoir de 
Cotonou/Porto -Novo  
 
4- MANUCIA  
 
5- SONACI  
 
6- SCB 
 
7- SOBETEX  
 
8- SOTRAZ  
 
9- SONAR (Branche 
VIE UBA -VIE) 
 
10- SONICOG (SHB 
and CODA BENIN)  
 
  
11- 
SONICOG 
(IBCG)  
 
12- SCO 
 
13- 
Maïserie de 
Bohicon  
 
14- 
COBENAM 
travel 
agency  
 
15- PPS 
drilling 
platform  
 
16- Relais 
de 
l'aéroport  
 
17- 
Godomey 
fertilizer 
plant 
 
18- Unités 
Pistes du 
Carder 
Atlantique  
  
19- Hôtel de 
la plage  
 
20- Hôtel 
Croix du sud  
(2007)  
 
21- PAC 
No. 2 cold 
warehouse  
 
22- 
Brasserie 
d'Abomey  
 
23- Crude 
petroleum 
storage 
centre  
 
24- Benin 
Marina Hotel  
 
25- 
Continental 
Bank Benin  
  
1- IBETEX  
 
2- Béninoise  
 
3- SONAR  
(IARD 
L'AFRICAINE 
DES 
ASSURANCES)  
 
4- SONACOP 
(41 service 
stations 1998)  
 
5- SONACOP 
(1999)  
 
6- SONAPRA 
(industrial tool)  
 
7- IBB SA  
 
8- UTPA (full 
sale under way 
in 2017)  
  
1- Ex-OBECI 
cinemas  
 
2- Société 
sucrière de 
Savè 
 
3- Parakou 
cashew nut 
plant 
 
4- Natitingou 
tomato 
concentrate 
plant 
 
5- Hôtel Croix 
du sud  
(1999)  
 
6- Complexe 
agrumicole de 
Za-Allahè  
 
7- Complexe 
Cimentier 
d'Onigbolo   
1- Twenty 
State -owned 
cashew nut 
plantations  
 
2- Djidja -Covè 
and Djougou 
zone hospitals 
(under way in 
2017)   
1- South 
container 
terminal 
including 
two berths in 
the 
Autonomous 
Port of 
Cotonou  
 
2- Centre 
international 
des 
conférences 
/Palais des 
congrès 
(CIC/PCC) 
process 
suspended in 
2015 
 
Source: Permanent Secretariat of the Technical Commission on Denationalization.  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  3.3.6   Government procurement  
3.88.   Most of the provisions in the legislative framework for government procurement25, in force 
in Benin since 2009, have been drawn up according to the relevant community directives 
(common  report, section 3.3.5).  
3.89.   Since the adoption of the Government Procurement Code in 2009, several texts have been 
adopted during the review period for its implementation.26 In part, this is a follow -up to the action 
plan drawn up b y WAEMU in 2014 with a view to reforming government procurement and public 
service concession contracts in  member States.27 
3.90.   In March  2017, a new law was adopted amending the 2009 Government Procurement Code. 
Among other things, it provides further details o n the criteria for waivers from open invitations to 
tender; specifies the obligation to widely disseminate invitations to tender for government 
procurement; and introduces a system for mutual settlement of disputes in the course of fulfilling 
government pr ocurement contracts.  
3.91.   The Code mainly applies to procurement by legal persons under public law and certain legal 
persons under private law acting on behalf of the former or benefiting from their financing with a 
view to carrying out works, supplying goods o r services, or intellectual services, when the amount 
of the contract reaches or exceeds the thresholds determined by decree.28 The threshold depends 
on the beneficiary and the nature of the contract.  
3.92.   For procurement by the Government, public institutions a nd State -owned companies, the 
threshold is set at: CFAF 60  million for works; CFAF 20  million for the supply of goods or services; 
and CFAF 10  million for intellectual services. For procurement by local authorities and their public 
institutions, the thresh olds are fixed at CFAF 15  million for works and CFAF 7.5  million for goods, 
services and intellectual services. For amounts below the thresholds fixed, a procedure requesting 
an estimate may be utilized provided that it complies with the principles of non -discrimination as 
regards access and treatment of bidders. The National Directorate of Government Procurement 
Control (DNCMP) carries out random controls of orders a posteriori when they involve amounts 
below the minimum thresholds. A posteriori control by  the DNCMP only occurs if the Regulatory 
Authority for Government Procurement (ARMP) has not yet received an accusation or complaint 
concerning irregularities committed in the course of awarding or fulfilling a government 
procurement or a public service co ncession contract.  
3.93.   The Code establishes the separation of the regulatory, control and contract award functions 
for procurement. Regulatory functions are the responsibility of the ARMP within the Office of  the 
President of the Republic. It therefore propose s to the President of the Republic, inter alia , any 
recommendation likely to improve and enhance the efficiency of the government procurement 
system, implementation of government procurement regulations and procedures, 
non-jurisdictional settlement of disp utes arising from procedures awarding government 
procurement contracts, and collects and centralizes statistics on the award, fulfilment and 
monitoring of government procurement contracts (on its website www.marches -publics.bj ). The 
statistics are broken down by type of procurement, not by the method of awarding the contract.  
3.94.   The DNCMP, in the Ministry of Finance, acts as the central body for a priori  control of 
procedures for awarding government proc urement contracts; it supervises a network of 
decentralized structures within each contracting authority. The DNCMP controls spending whose 
thresholds are determined by decree. For government departments and entities, the thresholds 
are: CFAF 200  million f or works, CFAF 80  million for goods and services, CFAF 60  million for 
intellectual services provided by firms of consultants and CFAF 40  million for intellectual services 
provided by individual consultants. For State -owned companies and entities, governmen t 
institutions whose task is to organize or operate energy, water, transport, telecommunication or 
other public services, the thresholds are: CFAF 450  million for works, CFAF 350  million for goods 
                                                
25 Law No. 2009-02 of 7 August  2009. 
26 Online information viewed at:  http://www.armp.bj/index.php/13 -reformes/184 -reformes -des-
marches -publics -au-benin -ce-qui-va-changer -avec-la-relecture -du-code-des-marches -publics -et-des-
delegations -de-service -public . 
27 Decision No.  03/2014/CM/UEMOA of 28 June 2014. 
28 Decree No. 2011-479 of 8 July 2011. WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  and services, CFAF 100  million for intellectual services pr ovided by firms of consultants and 
CFAF 60 million for intellectual services provided by individual consultants.  
3.95.   Two principal methods of awarding contracts are determined in the Code: invitation to 
tender and direct negotiation (private agreement). Invita tions to tender may be open, restricted or 
involve two stages (i.e. with pre qualificati on).29 In principle, an open invitation to tender is the rule 
and the use of any other procurement method must be exceptional and justified by the contracting 
authority. Below the thresholds for awarding contracts, the contracting authority may u se the 
request for quotation procedure, provided that the procedures followed comply with the principles 
laid down in the Code. Contracts for intellectual services, on the other ha nd, are awarded after 
consultation and submission of a proposal.  
3.96.   Invitations to tender and pre qualification notifications must be published in the government 
procurement journal and any other national and/or international publication. Publication in an 
international journal is only compulsory for contracts with external financing or contracts open to 
international bidding. Publication in the national and/or international press does not dispense with 
the obligation to publish in the government procurement jo urnal. Notifications and invitations to 
tender may also be published electronically and, unless otherwise specified in the invitation, bids 
may be transmitted to the contracting authority electronically as well. In general, bids are 
examined on the basis o f the economic, financial and technical criteria cited in the invitation to 
tender in order to determine which acceptable bid is the lowest.  
3.97.   Bidders who consider that they have suffered prejudice may appeal to the contracting 
authority or a higher authorit y within five working days following the date of publication of the 
decision awarding the contract. They must claim a manifest violation of the government 
procurement regulations. Appeals against decisions by the contracting authority may be made to 
the AR MP. The latter's decisions may be the subject of an appeal to a jurisdictional authority.  
3.98.   A community preference (not exceeding 15% of the amount of the bid) is given for bids 
submitted by bidders from WAEMU countries. This preference may only be granted u nder certain 
additional conditions: traceability of at least 30% of the value added within WAEMU for the supply 
of goods; community origin of at least 30% for inputs or personnel employed for public works, 
buildings or industrial facilities; and, for the provision  of services, a contribution by WAEMU 
nationals estimated at more than 50% of the total value of the service. Companies and groups of 
operators must prove that WAEMU citizens hold shares in the registered capital (over 50%) and/or 
control the gover ning bodies (at least 50%). Since January  2015, contracting authorities have 
been encouraged to reserve at least 60% of government orders for office furniture for local 
products. The Government is also understood  to have decided to reserve at least half of  
government orders amounting to less than CFAF 10  million for local SMEs.  
3.99.   Benin is neither a party nor an observer at the Plurilateral Agreement on Government 
Procurement and has not announced its intention to accede.  
3.3.7   Intellectual property rights  
3.100.   Benin is a contracting party to several regional and international treaties and agreements 
on intellectual property rights (IPRs), including those administered by the World Intellectual 
Property Organization (WIPO).30 It also acceded to the Singapore Treaty on the L aw of Trademarks 
in 2016.  
3.101.   Like the other members of WAEMU, Benin belongs to the African Intellectual Property 
Organization (OAPI), which was established by the Bangui Agreement (common report, section 3). 
The revised Bangui Agreement (1999) was ratified by  the Beninese authorities on  
                                                
29 A restricted invitation to tender may only be made if the special nature of the goods, works or 
services to be provided means that there is only a limited number of compet ent suppliers or providers . Only 
complex procurement may justify an invitation to tender in two stages . In any event, if at least three bids have 
not been received when the time -limit expires, the period for submitting bids  may be extended by 
15 calendar  days. An invitation to tender is only valid if, at the end of the supplementary period, the 
contracting authority has received at least one bid deemed to be admissible and in conformity.  
30 The exhaustive list of the IPR arrangements to which Benin is party is published online by WIPO . 
Viewed at: http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/profile.jsp?code=BJ .  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  6 November  2003.31 It applies as a domestic law in Benin and is automatically enforceable so no 
domestic legal instrument is needed for its implementation.  
3.102.   The National Industrial Property Agency (ANAPI), supervised by the Minis try responsible 
for industry, acts as Benin's National Liaison Structure with OAPI. As such, it is the focal point for 
applications for industrial property titles made in national territory. Only a few titles were 
transmitted to OAPI during the review peri od (Table 3.8). According to the authorities, this low 
number is attributable to poor knowledge of intellectual property and the lack of financial 
resources. ANAPI heightens public awareness of the importance of industrial property and follows 
trends at th e international level; it also helps to enhance the value of IP titles. The sanctions 
provided in the Bangui Agreement apply to the infringement of IPRs in Benin.  
3.103.   The Beninese Copyright Bureau (BUBEDRA), part of the Ministry responsible for culture, 
manage s copyright and related rights.32 Benin's regulatory structure gives authors economic and 
moral rights; even if the original work has been sold, authors of graphic or three -dimensional 
works (and their heirs) have an inalienable right to a share of the prof it from any subsequent sale 
of the work at public auction or through a dealer.33 If an offence is committed, BUBEDRA may 
bring legal proceedings; penalties may take the form of a term of imprisonment (from 
three  months to two years) and/or a fine (from CFAF  500,000 to CFAF 10  million).34 
3.104.   In principle, the customs services are empowered to act ex officio if copyright is infringed. 
Manufacturers and importers of media used to reproduce literary or artistic works must pay 
remuneration, levied and distributed by BUBEDRA. In 2010, discussions between BUBEDRA and 
the Directorate -General of Customs were under way with a view to establishing a mechanism for 
collecting this remuneration at the customs cordon. Benin's regime does not make any distinction 
between Benines e and foreign owners of copyright. The latter, however, must prove their 
authorship and their membership of a collective management association in order to be given 
national treatment.  
3.105.   The National Commission to Combat Piracy of Literary and Artistic Works  (CNLP) is  
responsible for combating piracy, particularly that of musical and cinematographic works.35 The 
actual fulfilment of its responsibilities appears to be slowed down by the lack of financial resources.  
3.106.   On 23  November  2016, Benin ratified the Protoc ol amending the WTO Agreement on 
Trade -Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) with a view to facilitating access to 
affordable medicines by least developed Members.36 
Table 3.8 Titles transmitt ed to OAPI by ANAPI, 2010 -June  2016  
 2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  Total  
Patents  6 7 7 4 6 4 2 36 
Trademarks and service 
marks  63 54 55 72 98 72 56 470 
Trade names  25 19 28 30 23 14 5 130 
Industrial designs  144 164 216 164 360 176 2 1,226  
Utility  models  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Geographical indications  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.
                                                
31 Law No. 2003-19 of 2 2 October  2003 and its i mplem enting Decree No. 2003-452 of 
6 November  2003. 
32 Decree No. 93-114 of 2 5 May 1993, as amended by Decree No. 2007-115 of 9 March  2007. 
33 Law No. 2005-30 of 1 0 April 2006. 
34 UNESCO (2009) . Benin does not have any special courts for copyright and intellectual property and in 
general the lower -level court s hear such cases.  
35 Decree No. 2008-578 of 2 0 October  2008. 
36 The Protocol allows exporting countries to grant compulsory licences to their generic suppliers to 
manufacture and export medicines to countries that cannot manufacture the needed  medicines the mselves. 
Online information v iewed at: https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news16_e/trip_23nov16_e.htm .  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  4  TRADE POLICIES BY SE CTOR  
4.1  Agriculture  
4.1.1   Overview  
4.1.  Agriculture is important for Benin's economy because of the contribution it makes to GDP, 
export earnings and employment (section 1). However, during the review period its importance 
was in relative decline, in particular because of the expansion in the production and export of 
certain manufactured or semi -manufactured products (Table  A1.1).  
4.2.  The se ctor mainly consists of small subsistence holdings, which account for 95 % of 
agricultural production. The principal cash crops are cotton (41.9 % of export earnings in 2015), 
cashew nuts and palm oil. The principal food crops are yams, cassava and maize.  
4.3.  There are three climatic zones in Benin  in which a wide variety of plant, animal, fish and 
timber -producing activities are carried out . The north of the country is a semi -arid Sudan -type 
zone, characterized by an annual rainfall that ranges from 900 mm to 1, 100 mm and a relatively 
high rainfall deficit. The main economic activities are livestock raising and growing cotton – the 
country's main export crop – and shea nuts. The average size of the holdings is ten hectares. The 
centre of Benin is a zone of forest s and humid savannah, with an average yearly ra infall of 
1,200  mm. The south of the country is a sub -equatorial zone where annual rainfall can reach 
1,500  mm. Most of the land cultivated in the centre and the south is devoted to producing food 
crops, parti cularly yams, cassava, maize, tomatoes, pineapples and groundnuts, in addition to 
cotton.  
4.4.  Benin's agricultural potential is considerable but underexploited. Only 17 % (i.e. about 
1,375,000 hectares) of its useful agricultural area is cultivated annually, wi th 60 % being devoted 
to the principal food crops. In addition, the country has a vast network of water resources, with 
reserves estimated at 13  billion m3 of surface water and 1.8  billion m3 of underground water 
available for irrigation and multipurpose wa ter retention systems.  
4.5.  The sector still faces a number of challenges, namely, its dependence on the rains, combined 
with inadequate irrigation systems, the lack of mechanization linked with the financial constraints 
on small farmers, and the problems of ob taining access to credit. The effect of these various 
difficulties is to limit the productivity of the small farmers and the competitiveness of Benin's 
agricultural products.  
4.6.  There has been a  relative increase in principal crop production since 2010 (Table  4.1). This 
would appear to be attributable to the agricultural strategies currently being implemented and a 
favourable rainfall in recent years. However, it should be noted that sugar cane production fell 
steadily during the review period. Attacks by inse cts and rodents and infestation by weeds appear 
to have been responsible for this poor performance.  
4.7.  According to the authorities, the harvests recorded during the season 2015 -2016 were down 
on those recorded in preceding years. The main reasons for this ap pear to have been an adverse 
distribution of rainfall in terms of time and space and poor coverage of input requirements.1 
Table 4.1 Food production and principal crops, 2010 -2014  
(1,000 tonnes)  
 2010  2011  2012 2013  2014  
Cassava  3,445  3,646  3,646  3,910  4,067  
Yams  2,624  2,735  2,811  2,959  3,221  
Maize  1,013  1,166  1,185  1,317  1,354  
Palm kernel oil  460a 460a 530a 560a 583b 
Pineapples  266 247 376 359 n.a. 
Tomatoes, fresh  187 164 245 332 n.a. 
Sorghum  168 133 144 88 100 
                                                
1 Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. Online information vie wed at: 
http://www.agriculture.gouv.bj/IMG/pdf/analyse_descriptive.pdf . WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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   2010  2011  2012 2013  2014  
Groundnuts, in shell  154 132 129 150 145 
Cotton seed  137 265 240 307 382 
Rice (paddy)  125 220 217 207 234 
Beans, dried  107 85 95 103 96 
Cashew nuts, in shell  102 163 170a 180a n.a. 
Sweet potatoes  77 49 52 66 65 
Sugar, cane  48c 48a 10 23 20 
Palm kernels  46c 46c 53c 56c 59b 
Palm oil  46c 46c 2 2 1 
Okra 46 48 68 48 48 
Chillies and peppers, fresh  45 39 68 67 n.a. 
Legumes, n.e.s  43b 40a 42a 42a 43b 
Peppers, sweet and spiced  38 39 68 67 n.a. 
Millet  27 25 30 23 24 
Coconuts  19c 19c 19c 19c 19b 
Bananas  18b 18b 19a 18b n.a. 
Soya 18c 13c 71 75 100 
Mangoes, mangosteens and guavas  14b 14a 15a 15b n.a. 
Oranges  13b 14a 14a 14b n.a. 
Shea nuts  13b 13a 14a 15a 15b 
Sesame  10c 10c 0 0 1 
Onions, dried  8 11 40 44 n.a. 
n.a. Not available.  
a FAO estim ate. 
b FAO data based on an imputation methodology.  
c Unofficial figure.  
Source:  Viewed at: http://faostat3.fao.org/download/Q/QC/F . 
4.8.  Benin is a net importer of agricultural products. Its exports consis t mainly of agricultural 
products, in particular: cotton, cashew nuts, palm oil, shea nuts and sugar. Staple food imports 
consist mainly of rice, sugar, milk and meat.  
4.1.2   General agricultural policy  
4.9.  Benin's development strategy, as defined in the Government A ction Programme (PAG) and 
the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (SCRP), views the agricultural sector as a means of 
combating poverty. However, the public resources allocated to agriculture are still insufficient, 
amounting to about 6.5% of the nationa l budget, which is below the commitment of 10% of the  
national budget to agriculture made by the African Heads of Sta te at Maputo during the 
African  Union Summit in July  2003. Moreover, this low level of resource allocation is aggravated by 
a disproportion ate distribution; for example, in some years, over 50 % of the budget is allocated to 
transport and office equipment.2 
4.10.   The basic documents defining the main outlines of agricultural sector policy clarified the 
strategic choices that should guide agricultura l and rural development. In particular, the aim is 
promote a sustainable, modern and competitive agriculture that prioritizes small farms, with a low 
level of State intervention. The main measures envisaged involve increasing agricultural 
production and di versifying the agricultural subsectors by creating an institutional framework that 
facilitates access to credit and conditions that favour public -private partnership.  
4.11.   The principal agricultural policy document implemented during the review period was 
centred on the Strategic Plan for the Revival of the Agricultural Sector (PSRSA) for the period 
2011-2015, the aim of which was to ensure increased agricultural production and contribute to 
food security through efficient production and sustainable farm managem ent. The expected 
outcome of this policy was to reduce the proportion of Benin's population suffering from hunger 
and malnutrition from 33% to 15% by 2015; to ensure that production and products are 
competitive and have access to markets, thanks to promoti on of the agricultural subsectors; and 
to increase agricultural product export volume by 50% between 2011 and 2015.  
                                                
2 Online information viewed at: http://www.mepppd.bj/wp -content/uploads/2015/06/Rapport -
%C3%A9valuation -Politique -d%C3%A9veloppement -secteur -agricole.pdf . WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  4.12.   According to the authorities, a new agricultural policy framework, the Strategic Plan for the 
Development of the Agricultural Sector (PSDSA) , the agricultural offshoot of the PAG, is under 
preparation. It would take into account the conclusions of the evaluation of the PSRSA and is 
intended to achieve the objectives assigned to the latter by, among other things, increasing 
productivity, struct uring the value chains, establishing social safety nets to improve the resilience 
of the agricultural systems, improving the framework of governance within the sector and setting 
up a financing scheme.  
4.13.   The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries ( MAEP) is responsible for coordinating 
the implementation of agricultural policies. In November  2016, the Government restructured the 
institutional framework for agricultural policy, under the agricultural chapter of the PAG.3 To that 
end, Beninese territor y was subdivided into seven agricultural development zones whose 
administration was entrusted to Territorial Agricultural Development Agencies (ATDA). Under this 
new system, the agricultural development zone provides the framework for the operational 
imple mentation of agricultural development policies. The Government hence decided to terminate 
the activities of the former agricultural policy implementation agencies, namely, the National 
Agricultural Promotion Company (SONAPRA), the National Food Security Su pport Board (ONASA), 
the National Agricultural Income Support Board (ONS) and the Agricultural Inputs Purchasing Pool 
(CAIA).  
4.14.   In 2013, with a view to ensuring the security of land tenure, Benin adopted a new Land 
Code.4 By establishing a unified title, it aims to put an end to insecurity by treating rural land (the 
subject of rights established or acquired in accordance with custom) on a par with registered urban 
land. 
4.15.   Average tariff protection in the agriculture and fisheries sector (SITC, Rev.2) was 11.9%  in 
2016, appreciably down on 2011 (13.1%), with rates  ranging from 5 to 35 % (common report, 
section 3.1). Moreover, VAT is levied on domestic and imported agricultural products at the rate of 
18%, although there is an exemption for unprocessed food produc ts. Benin prohibits the import of 
wheat flour, sugar, vegetable oil and rice, by land or river. The import and transit of bovine meat 
and bovine meat products of any origin are subject to the prior authorization of the Livestock 
Directorate.  
4.1.3   Policies by su bsector  
4.1.3.1   Plant production  
4.1.3.1.1   Cotton  
4.16.   Cotton production grew steadily from 2010 onwards, with annual quantities that more than 
doubled between 2010 (137,000 tonnes) and 2014 (382,000 tonnes) (Table  4.1). Seed cotton is 
produced by farmers organized in cooperativ es, then resold to ginning companies which convert it 
into cotton lint. The other by -products are seed and cottonseed cake and oil.  
4.17.   Cotton is Benin's principal economic subsector. Directly and indirectly, the cotton subsector 
accounts for 45 % of tax revenu e (excluding customs duties) and contributes 13 % to GDP 
formation. Cotton provides the means of subsistence for more than 40 % of the rural population, 
which in Benin amounts to nearly three  million people. It represents around 60 % of the local 
industrial f abric and supplies 19 ginning mills, five textile factories, three cotton seed crushing 
plants and one cotton -wool factory. Cotton subsector activities also have knock -on effects on 
transport, craft industries, commerce and construction. However, more stil l needs to done to 
stimulate the subsector and promote local processing, given that only about 5 % of cotton lint 
production is consumed by the five textile factories, the rest being exported.  
4.18.   For nearly ten years the cotton subsector has been prey to diffi culties linked to the 
dysfunctionalism of the various institutional structures successively put in place following its 
liberalization in 1990, with the privatization (by transfer of equity capital) of SONAPRA's industrial 
                                                
3 Decree No.  2016-681 of 7  November  2016 establishing the institutiona l framework for agricultural 
development in Benin.  
4 Law No.  2013-01 of 14  January  2013 containing the Land and State P roperty Code in the Republic 
of Benin.  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  plant ( ten ginning mills). The cap ital was transferred in 2008 to the Cotton Development Company 
(SODECO), a semi -public enterprise whose shares are currently owned by a private company 
(51%) and the State (49%).  
4.19.   In 2009, a framework agreement was concluded between the State and the Cotton  Trade 
Association (AIC), the coordinating body for those working in the cotton subsector (in particular, 
the producers, the cotton ginners and the input distributors). Under the agreement, the AIC draws 
up inter -trade agreements, follows them up and organ izes the negotiation of the price of seed 
cotton. It is also responsible for training and supporting producers, conducting research into 
cotton, ensuring the production and distribution of seed and collecting cotton -related statistics. Its 
resources come f rom a levy on the price paid by the ginner to seed cotton producer networks. The 
governance of the AIC was studded with crises between 2009 and 2011. However, these recurring 
crises reached their peak in 2012. During the 2011 -2012 season, following a crisi s between the 
Beninese State and the AIC, the framework agreement with the AIC was suspended, which led to 
the latter being stripped of all its roles in the management of the cotton subsector and these roles 
being transferred to the MAEP and other State bo dies. 
4.20.   Thus, during the 2012 -2013 season, input distribution was managed by the Local 
Agricultural Promotion Centres (CeCPA). For financing the cotton growing and marketing season, 
the State allocated CFAF 115  billion. In addition, the State negotiated with  the private companies 
and SODECO for the cotton to be ginned. The cotton lint produced during the 2012 -2013 season 
was sold on the world market by the State, through SONAPRA, supported by international 
expertise.  
4.21.   In May  2016, the Beninese Government annou nced the transfer of the management of the 
cotton subsector to the private sector, together with the restoration of the framework contract 
between the State and the AIC. The subsector managem ent system is based on: a single price for 
the sale of inputs and  the purchase of seed cotton throughout the country; the obligation on the 
producers to sell all their production to ginning companies established in Benin; and the obligation 
on the ginners to purchase the whole of Beninese production. In 2016, the net pu rchase price for 
seed cotton paid to the producers by the ginners was CFAF 260 per kg for high -grade and 
CFAF 210 per kg for lower -grade seed cotton. The net price for organic cotton was 
CFAF 312 per kg. The selling price for fertilizers was CFAF 240  per kg, that for insecticides 
CFAF 3,500 per half -hectare dose and that for selective weed killers CFAF 5,000 per litre. Small 
farmers sell the seed cotton to their respective cooperatives, which resell it to the ginners.  
4.1.3.1.2   Cashew nuts  
4.22.   Benin's cashew nut subsecto r is becoming increasingly important at the environmental, 
economic and social levels. The cashew tree plantations cover about 190,000 hectares (as 
compared with 10,000 in 1990), generally in association with other annual crops such as cotton or 
yams. In v iew of the soil -impoverishing effects of the latter, cashew -tree growing provides a 
means of reconditioning degraded soil. Cashew nut production has steadily increased, rising from 
102,000 tonnes in 2010 to 180,000 tonnes in 2013. The great majority of the  cashew -tree 
plantations belong to individual small -scale producers and the average size of the holdings per 
planter is between 1 and 1.5 hectares.  
4.23.   Benin's cashew nut subsector offers a great opportunity for exports, second only to that 
offered by cotton. It accounts for around 8 % of export value. However, a substantial proportion of 
the cashew nuts exported from Benin actually consists of re -exports of nuts from certain 
neighbouring countries.  
4.24.   Only a small fraction of raw nut production is processed, with barely 5 % of domestically 
produced nuts being processed locally, including 1 to 2 % by small -scale units and 3 % by 
semi-industrial and industrial enterprises.  
4.25.   The productivity of the cashew tree plantations is still low, between 300 to 500 kg/hectare, 
where as the current potential is estimated at between 1,000 and 1,500 kg/ha.5 The constraints on 
the subsector's development include problems of coordination between the actors  in general, the 
                                                
5 Online information viewed at: 
http://www.africancashewinitiative.org/imglib/downloads/ACI_Benin_frz_high%20resolution.pdf . WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  virtual monopoly enjoyed by dealers when purchasing from the produce rs, and the limited access 
to specific cashew -tree inputs and financing.  
4.26.   An Interministerial Price -Setting Commission for agricultural products and inputs, not 
specific to the cashew -nut subsector, sets the floor prices for cashew nuts. It meets at the 
approach of the marketing season to propose a seasonal floor price for cashew nuts to all the 
actors, together with the starting and end dates of the marketing season. The minimum price set 
is supposed to be consensual and forms the subject of a presidential decree. However, in practice, 
the exporters/dealers set the price with account for the trends on the world market and in the 
exchange rate with the US dollar. Faced with the non -transparency of the price structure actually 
employed, the producers are incre asingly organizing with a view to setting up group marketing, a 
strategy which would give them greater negotiating power.  
4.27.   The floor price for the 2014 -2015 cashew -nut marketing season was set at CFAF  225 as 
compared with CFAF 200 during the previous season . 
4.28.   The National Federation of Cashew Nut Producers (FENAPAB) is responsible for protecting 
the producers' interests. It is comprised of decentralized bodies at regional and village levels. 
Other weakly structured trade associations are also active within th e subsector. These include: 
Association for the Development of Exports (ADEx); the Tropical Product Exporters Group (GEPT); 
the National Tropical Agricultural Product Purchasers Association (ANAPAT); and the Cashew 
Kernel Processors and Exporters Associati on. 
4.1.3.1.3   Pineapples  
4.29.   Pineapple production is becoming increasingly important in Benin (Table 4.1). It provides 
the means of subsistence for approximately 10,000 individual producers, about 70% of whom are 
small -scale producers with holdings that are less than on e hectare in size.  
4.30.   In recent years, pineapple growing has become a significant part of the efforts to diversify 
agricultural exports, alongside exports of cotton and cashew nuts. The two main varieties (sugar 
loaf and smooth Cayenne) are mostly grown in th e south, in the Atlantic and Littoral departments. 
In the  PSRSA, the State envisaged an increase in pineapple production from 150,000 tonnes in 
2007 to 600,000 tonnes in 2015. Moreover, it set itself the objective of promoting local pineapple 
processing an d facilitating access to regional and international markets for Beninese pineapples 
and their products, in particular by creating favourable maritime transport conditions.  
4.31.   About a quarter of the total available supply of pineapples is processed, the rest b eing eaten 
fresh. Two by -products are obtained from raw pineapples, namely, pineapple juice and syrup and 
dried pineapple. There are numerous small -scale and semi -industrial pineapple processing units 
producing a range of products such as juices, syrups, a nd pineapple and dried pineapple 
preserves. Several pineapple processors are investing in the production of pasteurized pineapple 
juice, most of them established in Cotonou, Porto -Novo and Abomey -Calavi and grouped within 
the Union of Fruit and Vegetable P rocessors of Benin (UTRAFEL).  
4.32.   Formal pineapple exports go mainly to Europe by air, while in the subregion, particularly in 
Nigeria, Niger and Burkina Faso, the product is marketed informally.  
4.33.   The subsector continues to face several  challenges, including: p roblems with preserving the 
pineapples, which are perishable by nature, the difficulties and high costs of access to credit, and 
the high charges for air freight. The main constraints on juice -making are the high cost of the 
production factors, particularl y electricity, and of the packaging, which is mainly imported. 
Moreover, the subsector suffers from the inefficient organization of its various actors.  
4.34.   The organizations involved in the pineapple subsector include the National Federation of 
Pineapple Trade  Organizations of Benin (FENOPAB), which brings together all the producers; the 
Benin Fruit Producers Association (APFB); the South Benin Producers Union (UPS Bénin); the Benin 
Pineapple Producers Network (RePAB); and the Small Farmers Pineapple Exports Ma nagement 
Committee (COGEX -ANA).  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  4.1.3.2   Livestock production  
4.35.   In Benin, livestock raising is the second most important agricultural activity after plant 
production. Moreover, it contributes to agricultural services by producing manure (for maintaining 
soil fertilit y), as well as by providing means of traction and transport, particularly in the 
cotton -growing areas. However, it still makes only a minor contribution to GDP.  
4.36.   Livestock raising in Benin is characterized by traditional practices and involves bovine 
animal s, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry. In addition, modern egg and broiler chicken  production is 
being developed in semi -urban areas. Cattle, mainly bovine (78 %), accounts for most of the 
livestock raisers' financial capital.  
4.37.   Overall, livestock production has been stagnant since 2009 (Table 4.2). Efforts to revitalize 
the subsector remain negligible as compared with government measures taken to support plant 
production. The veterinary profession is understood to have been liberalized since 2010.  
Table 4.2 Primary livestock, 2009 -2013  
 2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  
Cow milk, whole, fresh  30,486a 32,000b 32,500c 33,000c 33,000c 
Cattle meat  30,800a 28,666a 30,140a 30,800a 31,350a 
Cattle meat, indigenous  24,188a 26,080a 28,659a 29,319a 29,869a 
Poultry meat  21,440a 22,400a 23,840a 24,000a 24,400a 
Chicken meat, indigenous  21,360c 22,235c 23,485c 23,645a 24,045a 
Hen eggs, in shell  11,104  9,851  10,664  11,552  12,522  
Goat milk, whole, fresh  7,900a 8,215a 8,575a 8,925a 8,960a 
Game meat  7,303b 7,800b 8,000c 8,000c 8,000c 
Goat meat  5,023a 5,200a 5,350a 5,400a 5,450a 
Goat meat, indigenous  4,643a 4,820a 4,950a 5,000a 5,050a 
Pig meat  4,431a 4,614a 4,788a 5,040a 5,096a 
Pig meat, indigenous  4,431a 4,614a 4,787a 5,039a 5,095a 
Cattle hides, fresh  5,040,a 4,691a 4,932a 5,040a 5,130a 
Sheep meat  2,946a 2,977a 3,000a 3,100a 3,150a 
Sheep meat, indigenous  2,689a 2,721a 2,752a 2,852a 2,902a 
a Calculated.  
b FAO data based on an imputation methodology.  
c FAO estimate.  
Source:  Viewed a t: http://faostat3.fao.org/download/Q/QL/F . 
4.38.   The efforts of government institutions are mainly aimed at modernizing the animal 
production systems and concern, in particular: (a) the strengthening of hea lth monitoring and 
epizootic disease control; (b) the improvement of the performance of local breeds, the raising of 
exotic dairy breeds and the strengthening of "agriculture -livestock" integration; (c) the 
development of fodder crops and cattle feed; (d) the organization of watering points; and (e) the 
creation of cattle markets.  
4.39.   In 2016, the CET rates applied t o products of animal origin ranged between 5% and 35% 
(as against  5% and 20% in 2011), with an average of 24.1 % (18.8 % in 2011).  
4.1.3.3   Fisheries producti on 
4.40.   The fisheries and aquaculture subsector contributes 3 % to Benin's GDP and employs around 
25% of the active population in the agricultural sector. It provides about 600,000  jobs (direct and 
indirect) and nearly 30 % of the total amount of animal protein c onsumed in Benin. Around 
10,000  fishermen and fish traders are engaged in small -scale sea fishing (some 10,000  tonnes a 
year) using dug -out canoes. Most fishing takes place in inland waters and reportedly employs over 
300,000  people along the country's maj or rivers and lagoons. Fish farming is little developed and 
its contribution to national fisheries production is relatively small (1 %) despite the opportunities 
that exist and the numerous initiatives taken. Total fisheries production is currently estimate d at 
50,000  tonnes a year and includes fish, crabs and shrimps.  
4.41.   There is considerable potential for fishing in terms of job creation and satisfaction of the 
population's food requirements. Benin has a long shoreline (around 125 km in length), which WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  extends  from the frontier with Nigeria to the frontier with Togo, and an Exclusive Economic Zone 
(EEZ) of nearly 27,750 km². Its hydrographic network is quite dense, consisting of lagoons, lakes, 
rivers, streams, swamps, flood plains and reservoirs.  
4.42.   The subsector  faces a number of challenges. Overfishing and the degradation of aquatic 
ecosystems due to the use of non -selective fishing gear and the pollution of stretches of water by 
household and industrial waste mean that domestic production of fisheries and aquac ulture 
products remains very low and insufficient to meet people's needs. Since 2014, fishing and fish 
farming have been regulated by Framework Law No.  2014-19 of 7  August  2014 on fishing and 
fish-farming in the Republic of Benin.  The Law establishe s the conditions for fishing in the waters 
under Beninese jurisdiction and is intended, among other things, to guarantee the sustainable 
management of fisheries resources. Foreign  fishing craft and sea -fishing vessels may be 
authorized to fish in Beninese waters under international agreements concluded between the 
Republic of Benin and the country whose flag they fly or in which they are registered. As of 2016, 
there were no fisheries agreements in place under the new legislation. However, Ghana has tuna 
boats in Beninese waters and negotiations are under way for the adoption of a fisheries agreement 
in conformity with the regulations in force.  
4.43.   A fish -farming development project, entitled Project for Extension of Inland Aquaculture 
(PROVAC), financed by Japa n, has been in process of implementation since 2011. The first phase 
involved training and the supply of inputs and infrastructure. The second phase was launched in 
2017. The implementation of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Programme (PADPA) was  
completed in 2015. It was intended to ensure food and nutritional security with respect to the 
supply of fisheries products, in particular by installing fisheries infrastructure, improving access to 
markets and providing capacity building for the fisherme n. 
4.44.   Prior to 2002, shrimps were the main fisheries export item, with an average of 700 tonnes 
per year being exported to the countries of the European Union. However, in July  2003, as a result 
of its failure to meet the relevant health requirements, Benin w as forced to suspend its exports of 
fisheries products to the European countries pending compliance with international standards. 
Since the lifting of the suspension in 2012, official exports appear never to have exceeded 
30 tonnes per year, primarily owin g to the financial difficulties experienced by the shrimp 
exporters and poor fishing practices.  
4.45.   Depending on the type of vessel, fees are levied at the following rates: CFAF 8,000 per GRT 
for trawlers; CFAF 12,000 per GRT for shrimp boats; CFAF 25,000 per GRT for seine -fishing tuna 
boats; and CFAF 40,000 per GRT for pole -fishing tuna boats.  
4.1.3.4   Forestry and timber products  
4.46.   Benin's forests cover about 65% of the country's total area and are divided up between 
classified State lands, protected State lands and pri vately owned forest areas . Most primary timber 
processing is undertaken by the National Timber Board (ONAB), which has a teak production unit 
and sells logs, sawn timber, poles, bundles of firewood, and furniture, including for export. The 
company Industri e du bois du Bénin (IBB S.A.) and ONAB are the  main exporters of logs 
(Table  4.3). However, the export of unprocessed teakwood is prohibited. In addition, ONAB 
conducts reforestation campaigns to provide 36,000 tonnes of firewood a year, but this does not 
meet annual demand, which is estimated at three  million tonnes.  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  Table 4.3 Timber production in Benin, 2010 -2015  
(m3) 
Season  ONAB  Other  
Total  Log production  
Industrie du 
bois du Bénin 
(IBB S.A.)  Log productio n 
ONAB 
(trackside 
sale)  Production by 
private 
operators (sold 
standing)  Production  
2010 16,739 .25 18,783 .18 12,089 .13 376,658  424,269 .56 
2011 26,403 .39 8,896 .73 19,375 .59 151,430,065  206,105,775  
2012 22,712 .26 11,073 .66 13,248 .33 61,518.86 108,553 .11 
2013 19,783 .10 11,715 .98 29,752 .27 23,534,0572  84,785,4072  
2014 26,084 .16 13,402 .79 19,408 .72 75,466  134,361 .67 
2015 25,324 .42 25,258 .57 6,768 .93 n.a. 130,334 .41 
n.a. Not available.  
Note:  The annual total corresponds to the volume of logs sold.  
 The 201 6 season is still ongoing and the final results will not be available until it has ended.  
Source:  Directorate -General  of Forests and Natural Resources  (DGFRN), annual report. Information provided 
by the Beninese authorities, National Timber Board.  
4.47.   Forestry  in Benin is governed by Law No.  93-009 of 2  July 1993 on the Forest Regime and 
its implementing Decree No.  96-271 of 2  July 1996. The Law regulates the management , 
protection and exploitation of forests, and the trade in and manufacturing of forestry and related 
products. It divides up the State -owned forest lands into classified and protected areas, while 
establishing the classification and declassification criteria, user rights, and the conditions of 
management and exploitation of State forests. The issu ing of import permits for timber products 
has been suspended since 2010.  
4.48.   Any natural or legal person wishing to engage in forestry activities must be resident in 
Benin. Under the legislation, six types of operating permit may be issued by the competent 
authorities, namely: a timber exploitation permit (logs, billets, sawn wood, parquet, friezes, 
pallets); a building wood exploitation permit (poles, posts and squared wood); a firewood and 
charcoal exploitation permit; a special medicinal plant harvesting per mit; a private plantation 
exploitation permit; and an oil palm exploitation permit. Production  taxes and charges are levied 
on wood products at specific rates depending on the category and the circumference of the wood; 
ad valorem  duties are also payable o n imports and exports.6 
4.2  Mining, energy and water  
4.49.   The mining sector continues to make only a marginal contribution to Benin's GDP formation 
(Table  1.1). Nonetheless, the country has great potential in terms of mineral resources such as 
gold (currently being  exploited), minerals used for building materials, iron, and phosphates. 
Moreover, it possesses other still unexploited mineral wealth, such as nickel, rutile, zircon and 
diamonds. The subsoil of the Beninese coastal basin contains several potential oil de posits which 
are in process of being explored.  
4.50.   Investment in services relating to the exploitation of mineral and energy resources is open 
to both Beninese nationals and foreigners.  
4.2.1   Mining products  
4.51.   There were no changes in the regulatory framework of Benin 's mining sector during the 
review period. Law No.  2006–17 of 17  October  2006 on the Mining Code and mining taxes in the 
Republic of Benin is still the main instrument governing prospecting, exploration and exploitation  
of useful minerals (with the excepti on of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons and groundwater); all 
the resources contained in the soil and subsoil are owned by the State.  
4.52.   The Code provides for the following titles: an authorization to prospect, which does not 
confer on the holder any right to d ispose of the substances discovered, these remaining in the 
ownership of the State; an exploration permit; and an exploitation permit valid for 20  years and 
                                                
6 Law No.  2006-24 of 26  December  2006.  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  twice renewable for a period of ten years; and a small -scale or semi -industrial mining 
authorizatio n. The latter applies only to indications of mineralization or deposits whose industrial 
exploitation has been shown not to be economically viable. In 2016, there were 12 companies 
authorized to mine in Benin. However, only three of them were exploiting mi neral deposits.  
4.53.   Mining taxation, as defined by the Code, comprises an ad valorem  royalty on materials 
extracted from quarries, at the rate of 10 % of the value of the mining production, with the 
exception of limestone for cement -making. During the exploitat ion period, in addition to the 
ad valorem royalty, the State levies fixed charges, surface taxes (the amount of which is 
established by order), industrial and commercial profits tax and the other non -deductible taxes for 
which the General Tax Code provides . Exploitation permit holders are also subject to the business 
tax after the first five years of production and to land taxes under the conditions laid down in the 
General Tax Code.  
4.54.   Mineral imports are subject to the payment of customs duties at a rate whi ch averages 
5.1%, with a minimum of zero and a maximum of 10 %; to this should be added the other entry 
charges and taxes (common report, section 3.1.4).  
4.55.   Materials, machinery and equipment, with the exception of private motor cars , imported 
under an explora tion permit, benefit from the temporary admission procedure. Where mining is 
involved, the temporary admission of machinery and equipment, with the exception of private 
motor cars , covers the mine installation period, which is 30 months.  
4.56.   Under the Code, in  consideration for the exploitation of its subsoil resources, the Beninese 
State must be assigned 10 % of the capital of any mining company, without any financial 
contribution on its part, with the possibility of an additional holding of up to 10 %. However,  this 
provision is not yet being applied as the body intended to represent the State is not yet in place.  
4.2.2   Hydrocarbons  
4.57.   Benin is not a producer of petroleum products. However, prospecting has revealed a 
potential for petroleum production. In 2015, hydrocarb ons accounted for about 11.7 % of imports 
(Table A1.1).  
4.58.   Hydrocarbon prospection, exploration, exploitation, refining, transport and marketing on 
Beninese territory are governed by Law No.  2006-18 of 17  October  2006 containing the Petroleum 
Code. The State r emains the sole owner of all Benin's liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon resources. 
Their exploitation is open to both Beninese and foreign operators. Any foreign entity must provide 
proof of a stable facility in Benin in order to carry out prospecting operatio ns and of a company 
incorporated in Benin in order to carry out exploration, exploitation and transport operations. 
Petroleum contracts, issued by the Minister responsible for hydrocarbons following approval in the 
Council of Ministers, are required to obt ain an exploration or exploitation permit. The Code 
provides for production -sharing contracts (with the State) and concession contracts. However, no 
concession contract appears to have been awarded as yet.  
4.59.   The holder of a hydrocarbons exploration, exploita tion or transport permit is required to 
conduct an environmental impact study. The holder must also, throughout his activities, comply 
with the provisions of the environmental protection legislation in force.  
4.60.   The tax regime applicable to the prospection, e xploration, exploitation and transport of 
hydrocarbons provides for: a fixed charge for the issue and renewal of authorizations, an annual 
surface tax (never actually collected in Benin), the amount of which is fixed, in principle, by a 
decree adopted in t he Council of Ministers, and a royalty proportional to the ex -field value of the 
hydrocarbons produced, at rates of between 8 % and 12 % (depending on the difficulties of 
exploration and exploitation).7 The tax on gross profits may not exceed 45 % and is not levied in 
the case of a production -sharing contract.  
4.61.   Benin currently imports all its petroleum needs. The National Petroleum Product Marketing 
Company (SONACOP) and other approved private oil companies supply the country with petroleum  
                                                
7 For contracts signed before the Code entered into force (October  2006), the rate is 10 %. WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  products. Private fi rms must obtain an import and marketing authorization issued by joint order of 
the Ministers responsible for trade and for hydrocarbons.8 An application for authorization must be 
accompanied, among other things, by a copy of the declaration of existence; c ertification of the 
single tax identification number; a ten -year investment programme including the establishment of 
a service station network with a minimum total capacity of 600 m3 and covering at least six 
departments; and a general installation safety and environmental protection plan. Moreover, 
private companies must demonstrate technical knowledge in the field of petroleum products. There 
is also an informal marketing sector for petroleum products from Nigeria.  
4.62.   Several taxes are levied on imported pet roleum products, including the CET and indirect 
taxes (including excise duty at specific rates and VAT).  
4.63.   The selling prices of petroleum products are fixed by decree, on the basis of trends in world 
prices. The price of butane gas is subsidized (CFAF 69/kg ). SONACOP is responsible for managing 
Benin's strategic stocks of petroleum products.  
4.2.3   Electricity  
4.64.   Despite the magnitude of its hydroelectric potential Benin remains heavily dependent on the 
outside world for its power supplies. Almost all the electricity consumed comes from abroad. 
Domestic electricity production is mainly thermal. The hydroelectric mini -power station at Yeripao, 
in the north -west of the country, contributes less than 1 % of the demand to domestic electricity 
production. According to the au thorities, the population's access to electricity remains modest, 
with an electrification rate of 55.1 % in urban areas and 4.1 % in rural areas in 2015.  
4.65.   The PAG aims to give Benin energy independence in the short term, thanks to competitive 
thermal generati on. Within this framework, specific measures will involve the rehabilitation of the 
generating plant of the Beninese Electricity Company (SBEE) and the Maria -Gléta thermal power 
station, together with the construction of new generating plants. The Governme nt is also aiming to 
develop hydroelectric power and increase the contribution from renewables.  
4.66.   In 2013, Benin set up the Electricity Regulatory Authority  (ARE), which is charged with 
monitoring compliance with the laws and regulations governing the electr icity subsector; 
protecting the public interest; and guaranteeing the continuity and quality of the services, the 
financial balance of the subsector and its harmonious development.9 
4.67.   The Ministry responsible for energy formulates national electricity policy  and oversees all the 
bodies directly involved in the sector apart from the ARE.  
4.68.   The Benin Electricity Community (CEB) acts as the sole purchaser for Benin and Togo. The 
CEB obtains its supplies from its foreign partners (Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Ghana).  It has 
hydroelectric generating capacity and two 20 MW gas -fired power stations. The Beninese Electricity 
Company (SBEE) distributes electricity in Benin. It purchases a large proportion of its electricity 
from the CEB and also generates power equivalent to less than 10% of electricity demand from its 
diesel -fired power stations.  
4.69.   The 1968 Benin -Togo Electricity Code, revised in 2004, put an end to the CEB's production 
monopoly, thereby opening up branches of production to private operators. However, it mai ntains  
the CEB's exclusive right to import electricity, as both the exclusive transporter and sole purchaser 
for the whole of Benin and Togo. Law No.  2006-16 of 27  March  2007 containing Benin's Electricity 
Code supplements the Benin -Togo Code and defines, among other things, the arrangements for 
the participation of private operators in the electricity subsector. Private producers must conclude 
an agreement (concession or other agreement) with the State and sign a contract for the purchase 
and sale of elect ricity with the CEB. Self -generators may freely resell their surplus output, up to a 
maximum of 50 % of their total production, beyond which they are treated as private producers 
required to resell their production to the CEB or the SBEE. In urban areas ele ctricity is distributed 
                                                
8 Decree No.  2008-614 of 22  October  2008 containing detailed rules for the import and distribution of 
refined petroleum products and their by -products in the Republic  of Benin.  
9 Decree No.  2009-182 of 13  May 2009 on the establishment, functions , organization and operation of 
the Electricity Regulatory Authority.  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  exclusively by the SBEE and in rural areas by the Beninese Rural Electrification and Energy 
Management Agency (ABERME).  
4.70.   ABERME is responsible for the implementation of State policy on rural electrification and 
energy management. The  task of the Internal Electrical Installation Control Agency (CONTRELEC) 
is to promote compliance with the technical requirements relating to the construction of internal 
electrical installations with a view to ensuring the safety of persons and property.  
4.71.   The tariff scale applied by the SBEE includes a social tranche for subscribers with a monthly 
consumption that is less than or equal to 20 kWh. The amount consumed is invoiced at 
CFAF 78 per kWh and is exempt from VAT. Subscribers whose monthly consumption  exceeds 
20 kWh are ineligible for the social tranche. Thus, their first 250  kWh are invoiced at 
CFAF 109 per kWh (first tranche) and the rest (second tranche) at CFAF  115 per kWh. T hese 
two tranches are subject to VAT.10 In general, the tariffs take produc tion and supply costs into 
account. They are set by the Directorate responsible for energy in consultation with the SBEE, 
before being approved by the ARE.  
4.2.4   Water  
4.72.   Benin has an abundance of water resources. It is drained by a relatively dense hydrographic 
network, albeit with an intermittent flow regime.  
4.73.   According to the national water policy paper adopted in 2008, internal and external water 
inflows amount to about 13.106  billion  m3 per year, the River Niger excluded.11 Despite this 
potential, at present not all the regions of the country appear to have suitable access to drinking 
water. In 2007, the Ministry responsible for water resources recorded 13,000 water sources 
(including wells and public taps), 13 % of which were in poor condition. In 2010, there was one 
water point for every 500 inhabitants in rural areas.  
4.74.   The institutional framework for the management of water resources consists of public and 
private actors  including, in particular, the ministries concerned with water management; the local 
authoritie s; and the non -State actors grouped since 2011 in the National Water Board (CNE), 
which is the first institutional framework structured at national level and brings together all the 
categories of public and private actors  concerned with the sustainable man agement of water 
resources.12 
4.75.   Several government strategy papers are currently in place with a view to developing water 
resources. They mainly comprise: the 1997 Benin National Water Resource Management Strategy, 
the 1999 Benin Vision for Water Resources 20 25 and the National Water Policy of 2008. They are 
aimed at establishing an integrated, coordinated and sustainable system of water resource 
management in Benin. Law No.  2010-44 of 24  November  2010 regulates water management in 
the Republic of Benin.  
4.76.   One o f the objectives of national water policy, based on the United Nations Millennium 
Development Goals (MDG), was to guarantee access to drinking water for 75% of the urban 
population and 68% of the rural population by 2015. The rural access level rose from 4 6.5% at the 
end of 2007 to 57.2% at the end of 2010, thanks to the construction of more than 
3,576  additional water points, while the urban access level increased from 51% in 2006 to 54% at 
the end of 2008.  
4.77.   The management and exploitation of water resource s, including for commercial purposes, 
are in principle open to competition. However, the supply of drinking water in rural areas is the 
responsibility of the local authorities.13 They act as the contracting authority (planning 
infrastructure, awarding contr acts, and supervising and managing the works). The Beninese 
National Water Company (SONEB) acts as the contracting authority in urban and peri -urban areas.  
                                                
10 Online information viewed at: https://www. sbee.bj/site/a -propos/votre -facture . 
11 Online information viewed at: 
http://eaubenin.bj/docs/Strategie/Projet_Politique_Nationale_Eau_validee_101108.pdf . 
12 Decree No.  2011-574 of 31  August  2011 on the establishment, functions , composition, organization 
and operation of the National Water Board.  
13 Law No.  97-029 of 15  January  1999 organizing the Communes.  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  4.78.   According to the authorities, the price structure for water in rural areas is not standardized. 
Charging is often based on water meters on public drinking fountains for village water supplies and 
independent water points. There are other types of charging which require the beneficiaries to pay 
a lump sum per household and per month or to contribute in th e event of a breakdown. In urban 
areas, SONEB's charging system is based on the monthly consumption per m3 and network 
maintenance costs. Some of SONEB's customers resell the water to non -subscribers, charging by 
the bowl.14 SONEB's charging system includes  a social tranche for the disadvantaged segments of 
society. A tariff equalization mechanism is in place at the national level.  
4.3  Manufacturing sector  
4.79.   The PAG aims to promote local processing units, together with the development of exports 
of their products.  Several reforms are envisaged for promoting competitiveness. These include: 
tax incentives, facilitation of access to business financing, and the simplification of administrative 
procedures.  
4.80.   Manufacturing's contribution to GDP formation remains modest (Ta ble 1.1). The sector 
consists of small textile (cotton ginning and processing, spinning and weaving), agri -food, 
cosmetics and cement companies. Craft industry activities, generally informal, are relatively 
important in terms of their contribution to GDP a nd the reduction of unemployment and poverty.  
4.81.   In 2015, some 381 products from 55 Beninese enterprises were admitted to the 
intra-community trade preference regime (common report, section 3.3). Most were processed 
products such as cottonseed and other oils,  juices, jams, concentrates, syrups and other fruit and 
vegetable preserves.  
4.82.   The State remains significantly involved in cotton processing activities. Because the textile 
companies are uncompetitive, most cotton exports take the form of lint. The Benin Tex tile 
Complex  (COTEB) does spinning and weaving. It is partly owned by the State, which also has 
shares in SITEX (manufacturer of unbleached fabrics) and the Benin Textile Company (CBT).  
4.83.   The simple average applied rate of the MFN tariff (ECOWAS CET) in the manufacturing 
sector (SITC definition) is 12.4%. For manufacturing products as a whole, the tariff is 
characterized by mixed escalation (common report, Table 3.6), slightly negative from raw  
materials (10.4 %) to semi -finished products (10.1 %) and positive towards finished products 
(13.9 %). 
4.4  Services  
4.84.   The contribution of commercial services to GDP has been maintained on average at 45 % 
(Table 1.1) and the sector employs around 36 % of the economically active population. The main 
branches of the services sector i n terms of contribution to GDP are: transport, telecommunication 
and tourism services, together with financial services, including banking.  
4.85.   Under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), the specific commitments made 
by Benin are limited to less than 10 % of all the services subsectors listed in the sectoral 
classification (MTN.GNS/W/120). The sectors included in Benin's Schedule comprise banking 
deposit, loan, payment and money transfer services; some hotel and restaurant services; some 
maritime t ransport services and auxiliary services for all modes of transport.15 
4.4.1   Main subsectors  
4.4.1.1   Telecommunications and postal services  
4.86.   During the review period, the Government's objectives in information and communication 
technology, as contained in its policy and s trategy paper (2008 -2013), were aimed, among other 
                                                
14 Online information viewed at: http://www.gwp.org/Global/GWP -WAf_Files/GIRE -IWRM -
Governance/Gouvernance%20eau%20BENIN.pdf . 
15 Benin did not participate in the negotiations on basic telecommunication or financi al services 
conducted by the WTO under the GATS.  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  things, at the adoption of a legal framework designed to encourage investment and economic 
growth, the establishment of a modern infrastructure and the development of human resources. 
Since 2014, the posta l services and telecommunication sector has been governed by Law 
No. 2014-14 of 9  July 2014 on Electronic Communication and Postal Services. This sets out, in 
particular, the operating conditions for the provision of postal and telecommunication services 
(conditions of access, licensing costs and the subsector's tax regime), and the arrangements with 
regard to universal service. Its implementing Decree No.  2014-599 of 9  October  2014 established 
the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Post al Services (ARCEP). In principle, 
ARCEP is an autonomous entity. It is responsible, among other things, for compliance with the 
regulations on licensing in the subsector and the rules on competition and it establishes the 
technical and administrative spec ifications for the approval of communications equipment.  
4.87.   In accordance with the Law on Electronic Communications and Postal Services, it is 
necessary to obtain a licence or authorization to access the Beninese electronic communications 
market. However, som e branches not covered by the licence or authorization regimes may be 
freely exploited, subject to compliance with the legislation in force.16 A licence is required for: the 
installation, provision and operation of electronic communications networks and/or services open 
to the public; the supply of transport capacity; the provision of public telephone services and 
when, for reasons of national policy concerning, in particular, public order, morality, security or 
public health, the State decides that the serv ice is to be provided under licence. Licences are 
granted by invitation to tender, open or restricted, in accordance with the provisions of Benin's 
Government Procurement and Public Service Concession Code. The authorization regime mainly 
concerns the esta blishment and/or operation of any independent electronic communications 
network that uses the public domain, including through the atmosphere or via hertzian waves.  
4.88.   Decree No.  2013-555 of 30  December  2013 established the Beninese Electronic 
Communications and Postal Universal Service Agency (ABSU -CEP). The National Electronic 
Communications and Postal Universal Service Programme is intended to ensure:  
 complete telephone coverage of the whole of Beninese territory;  
 the availability of broadband in areas with  a poor service or no service at all;  
 generalization of the use and provision of information and communication technology 
equipment in the three branches of education and the literacy sector;  
 generalization of the use and provision of information and commu nication technology 
equipment for actors in the health sector; and  
 the contribution of the subsector to improving the productivity of small farms and to 
food security.  
4.4.1.1.1   Telecommunications  
4.89.   During the review period the telecommunication market continued to gr ow. The number of 
mobile telephone subscribers, which was about 3,625,400 in 2008, rose from 8,407,846 in 2012 to 
11,556,665 in 2015. The mobile telephony market consists of five operators (SPACETEL Benin 
(MTN), ETISALAT, GLO MOBILE, BBCOM and LIBERCOM), w ith a teledensity that increased from 
89.78 % in 2012 to 107.79 % in 2015 (Table  4.4). The operators SPACETEL Benin and ETISALAT 
Benin have a licence to establish and operate technologically neutral mobile telecommunication 
networks enabling them to provide mobile Internet broadband services (2G, 3G , …). The provision 
of access to fixed telephone lines is a monopoly of Bénin Télécom. In 2015 the country had 
194,666 fixed telephone lines as compared with 156,715 in 2012 , but teledensity remains 
below  2% (Table  4.5). 
                                                
16 These include some radio installations; cryptology services, under certain conditions; and 
infrastructure operators.  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  Table 4.4 Cellular Mobile Networks, 2012 -2015  
 2012  2013  2014  2015  
Mobile telephony subscriptions  8,407,846  9,627,447  10,780,875  11,556,665  
Subscriptions to the SPACETEL Benin 
network  2,729,716  3,464, 683 3,893,252  4,428,953  
Subscriptions to the ETISALAT network  2,795,566  3,311,468  3,586,006  4,546,195  
Subscriptions to the GLO MOBILE 
network  1,514,548  1,468,289  1,908,653  2,293,034  
Subscriptions to the BBCOM network  1,074,666  1,103,014  1,103,629  0 
Subscriptions to the LIBERCOM network  293,350  279,993  289,335  288,483  
Mobile teledensity (%)  89.78  96.43  107.94  107.79  
Percentage of the territory covered by 
mobile telephony  0 0 0 0 
Percentage of the population covered by 
mobile telephony  0 0 0 0 
Source:  Information provided by the Beninese authorities, Données opérateurs  (2015).  
Table 4.5 Fixed telephony network, 2012 -2015  
 2012  2013  2014  2015  
Fixed telephony subscriptions  156,715  159,443  195,662  194,666  
Wired network (conventional)  60,345  58,168  57,435  57,987  
Wireless network (CDMA)  96,370  101,275  138,227  136,679  
Fixed teledensity  1.67 1.60 1.96 1.82 
Source:  Information provided by the Beninese authorities, Bénin Télécom  SA (BTSA ) (2015).  
4.90.   Eleven operato rs currently hold fixed broadband Internet operating licences. They are 
authorized to operate radio or copper -wire access networks. As for Bénin Télécom Service, it 
operates a wired network, an optical fibre transmission network and an LTE network. Fixed -line 
Internet access remains marginal in Benin (Table  4.6). However, mobile telephone Internet access 
increased fivefold between 2012 and 2015 (Table 4.7). Domain names within Benin's country code 
(".bj") area are administered by Bénin Télécoms.17 
Table 4.6 Fixed Internet access, 2012 -2015  
 2012  2013  2014  2015  
Internet bandwidth (in  Mbit/s)  1,085  1,595  1,595  2,217  
International Internet bandwidth  1,085  1,595  1,595  2,217  
Fixed Internet subscriptions with the op erator 
BTSA  42,159  42,834  42,806  73,168  
Fixed Internet subscriptions (RTC)  737 678 673 641 
Subscriptions with ISDN  35 41 46 46 
Leased lines  45 25 27 27 
Fixed (wired) broadband Internet subscriptions using 
ADSL technology  4,578  4,338  4,278  4,848  
Fixed  (wired) broadband Internet subscriptions, by 
speed (WiMAX)  374 362 354 270 
Fixed (wireless) broadband Internet subscriptions 
(CDMA)  36,390  37,390  37,428  67,336  
Fixed Internet subscriptions with ISPs (WLL)  0 0 4,051  1,433  
Subscriber base Internet ISOCEL  0 0 2,666  677 
Subscriber base OTI  0 0 950 756 
Subscriber base Internet CANALBOX BENIN  0 0 435 0 
Fixed Internet subscriptions (wired + wireless)  42,159  42,834  46,857  74,601  
Fixed Internet teledensity (%)  0.45 0.43 0.47 0.70 
Subscriptions to fixed (wir ed) broadband 
Internet  4,997  4,725  4,659  5,145  
Fixed broadband teledensity (%)  0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 
Source:  Information provided by the Beninese authorities, Données opérateurs  (2015).  
                                                
17 Online information from the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, "Delegation Record fo r BJ", viewed 
at: http://www.iana.org/root -whois/bj.htm . WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  Table 4.7 Mobile Inter net, 2012 -2015  
 2012  2013  2014  2015  
Mobile Internet 
subscriptions  414,725  1,087,089  1,915,542  2,155,041  
Subscriptions to the 
SPACETEL BENIN 
network  155,367  533,379  1,120,855  1,055,159  
Subscriptions to the 
ETISALAT network  203,110  496,525  737,989  1,042,8 83 
Subscriptions to the 
GLO MOBILE 
network  6,808  7,607  9,107  9,498  
Subscriptions to the 
LIBERCOM network  49,440  49,578  47,501  47,501  
Subscriptions to the 
BBCOM network  0 0 0 0 
Mobile Internet 
teledensity (%)  4.43 10.89  19.18  20.10  
Source:  Information provided by the Beninese authorities, Données opérateurs  (2015).  
4.91.   The interconnection of networks and services is a regulatory requirement. In general, 
interconnection and capacity -leasing tariffs are established with account for the costs. Every 
interconne ction contract is subject to prior approval by the Regulatory Authority.  
4.92.   A charge of CFAF 2 per minute is levied on every outgoing domestic and international call 
and a charge of CFAF 23 per minute on incoming calls. A 1 % levy is imposed on the turnover, n et 
of tax and interconnection charges, for the previous year, as the operators' contribution to the 
electronic communications and postal universal service.  
4.4.1.1.2   Postal services  
4.93.   La Poste du Bénin, a commercial public institution with legal personality and financ ial 
autonomy, provides the Beninese population with postal and financial services. In 2012, it handled 
around 4,600,000 items of mail, a large proportion of which were addressed to private individuals 
by businesses and administrations.  
4.94.   Under the Law on Ele ctronic Communications and Postal Services in Benin, La Poste du 
Bénin is the operator responsible for the universal postal service. Moreover, it has the following 
reserved activities: the collection, sorting, forwarding and distribution of items of mail, domestic or 
international, weighing less than 1 kg, by ordinary or express delivery; the right to issue and sell 
postage stamps, postage -due stamps, official stamps, reply coupons and all other postal paper 
intended for stamping or philately and displaying  the words "Republic of Benin" or any other sign, 
seal or symbol of the Republic.  
4.95.   Direct mail and services relating to registered and insured mail are also reserved for the 
operator responsible for the universal postal service. However, other postal operat ors may provide 
services relating to depot collection and/or recorded delivery, at prices fixed by the Regulatory 
Authority.  
4.96.   The courier services market includes private operators in the domestic and international 
segments. With a market share estimated at  more than half of domestic traffic, the company 
Top Chrono dominates domestic courier services open to competition, followed by EMS, a 
subsidiary of La Poste du Bénin. The other private operators, including DHL (dominant in 
international traffic), UPS Bén in, TNT and SDV, are mainly oriented towards international services. 
In addition, informal mail distribution covers a not inconsiderable proportion of domestic courier 
traffic.  
4.4.1.2   Transport  
4.97.   The PAG regards an improved transport infrastructure as an important means of leveraging 
the country's economic development. It aims to achieve this ambition by carrying out a number of WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  flagship projects, including the construction of a new airport, expansion of the port of Cotonou and 
upgrading of certain major roads.  
4.4.1.2.1   Port services and maritime transport  
4.98.   Maritime transport is of fundamental importance for the national economy. In addition to 
serving as a preferred supply channel for the domestic market, the Port of Cotonou has a 
subregional role to play. The maintenance and  operation of the port, together with the 
management of the port area, are the responsibility of the Autonomous Port of Cotonou (PAC), a 
government institution of an industrial and commercial nature with civil status and financial 
autonomy.  
4.99.   Several reforms  and modernization projects, including the computerized management of 
truck arrivals and departures, were carried out during the review period. Moreover, the authorities 
have noted that the introduction of the port single window has appreciably reduced del ays in the 
Port of Cotonou (section 3.1).  
4.100.   Goods traffic (imports and exports) increased steadily between 2011 and 2014, before 
falling slightly in 2015. Imports (by volume) of hydrocarbons and food products are the main items 
on the list of goods entering the country by sea, while outward traffic consists predominantly of 
timber, cashew nut and cotton exports (Table 4.8).  
4.101.   A major proportion of the port traffic, about 57 % in 2015, is for the account of other 
countries, mainly Niger, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and  Mali (Table  4.9). 
Table 4.8 Trends in goods traffic, 2010 -2015  
(Tonnes)  
Traffic  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  
IMPORTS        
Hydrocarbons  1,152,164  1,033,627  953,128  746,178  670,473  825,269  
Clinker, gypsum,  
limestone and slag  527,489  641,804  730,894  741,863  1,002,998  399,418  
Construction 
materials  369,581  391,678  424,431  325,949  339,121  392,831  
Cereals and the like  843,123  478,925  1,034,758  2,516,364  2,381,967  1,766,376  
Food products  1,267,578  1,249,954  1,443,391  1,698,013  2,094,588  2,121,620  
Lubricants and 
bituminous 
materials  31,631  34,728  19,804  23,554  9,755  4,414  
Fertilizer and 
insecticides  29,883  40,799  118,330  133,540  40,069  48,773  
Equipment  335,874  307,479  269,299  280,295  171,047  70,932  
Vehicle s and parts  511,272  558,585  489,608  515,911  620,901  602,893  
Sulphur  52,209  41,554  74,072  32,396  41,210  34,321  
Miscellaneous  1,118,812  978,195  716,699  942,669  1,576,092  1,951,651  
Sub-total imports  6,239,616  5,757,327  6,274,414  7,956,732  8,948,220  8,218,4 98 
EXPORTS        
Vegetable oils  348 3,280  4,952  2,949  6,930  3,345  
Cotton seed  21,406  1,879  149 9,447  4,216  9,842  
Cake 10,086  1,837  4,238  8,112  3,841  3,997  
Timber  141,280  423,851  485,667  312,554  436,575  250,892  
Cashew nuts  119,949  140,301  155,765  120,594 148,888  183,066  
Shea nuts  9,121  27,454  24,690  19,368  35,940  11,526  
Other products  69,440  89,885  114,422  90,328  248,092  181,418  
Cotton  84,748  79,653  88,924  136,738  189,493  240,004  
Hydrocarbons & 
bulk liquids  9,472  71 103,818  20,381  3,989  0 
Equipmen t 4,972  3,142  1,558  2,4432  67,657  24,549  
Vehicles and parts  1,734  2,733  2,864  3,264  19,475  16,540  
Miscellaneous  247,183  273,221  177,845  156,109  434,128  230,450  
Sub-total exports  719,739  1,047,307  1,164,892  882,287  1,599,225  1,155,629  
OVERALL TOTAL  6,959,355  6,804,634  7,439,306  8,839,019  10,547,445  9,374,127  
Source:  Information provided by the Beninese authorities. Autonomous Port of Cotonou.  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  Table 4.9 Goods traffic by user country, 2010 -2015  
(Tonnes)  
Year 2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  
Benin  3,073,809  3,301,387  4,061,666  4,038,635  5,506,437  4,021,794  
Niger  2,486,778  2,173,000  2,254,283  3,656,925  3,633,211,64  3,269,823  
Nigeria  614,949  572,589  494,459  431,151  443,490  459,475  
Mali 193,683  257,868  174,918  176,589  106,153  127,760  
Burkina Faso  445,444  365,000  373,797  355,992  224,323  286,108  
Togo 5,801  15,043  6,704  15,985  17,548  6,544  
Other  138,891  119,745  73,480  163,742  616,282  1,202,623  
Overall Total  6,959,355  6,804,632  7,439,306  8,839,019  10,547,445  9,374,127  
Total Transit  3,885,546  3,503,245  3,377,641  4,800,384  5,041,008  5,352,333  
Transit share (%)  55.83  51.48  45.40  54.31  47.79  57.10  
Source:  Information provided by the Beninese authorities. Autonomous Port of Cotonou.  
4.102.   Container traffic handling operat ions are carried out by four companies, namely: the Benin 
Port Handling Company (SOBEMAP), a State -owned company with financial autonomy; the 
Container Terminal Handling Company (SMTC), part of the Bolloré Group; Benin Terminal; and the 
Cotonou Handling Co mpany (COMAN), part of the Maersk -Sealand Group. SOBEMAP still has a 
monopoly on the handling of non -containerized products and goods, apart from the used vehicle 
market, which it shares with the Grimaldi Group's company RoRo Terminal.  
4.103.   Benin does not have a merchant navy of its own. Eight foreign companies operate in the 
Beninese maritime transport services sector, the two major ones being the Maersk Line Group, 
which has its own port operations company, and CMA -CGM (Delmas).18 The Association of Benin 
Shipp ing Agents and Brokers (ACAM) represents these companies' interests.  
4.104.   The National Shippers' Council of Benin (CNCB) is responsible, among other things, for 
protecting the interests of importers and exporters, notably by negotiating freight rates on their 
behalf with the shipping companies. The CNCB's resources come from annual subscriptions paid by 
importers and exporters; commission on goods imported into Benin; and commission paid by 
shipping companies whose vessels call at the Port of Cotonou. In additio n, charges are made for 
issuing the electronic cargo tracking note (ECTN), a document which provides information on,  
among other things, the nature of the cargoes shipped for the Port of Cotonou and on the costs of 
import operations (section 3.1). As from 1 April, responsibility for collecting the charges for the 
ECTN will pass from the CNCB to the PAC.  
4.4.1.2.2   Air transport  
4.105.   Benin has one international -class airport (Cotonou I nternational Airport) and 
seven  domestic airfields.19 The domestic network is served  by sma ll private companies; 
17 regional and international -scale airline companies operate the international network.20 
4.106.   Ordinance No.  26/GPRD/MTP of 26  December  1963 containing the Civil and Commercial 
Aviation Code of the Republic of Dahomey is the main legislati ve provision on civil aviation in 
Benin. It is supplemented by the Aeronautical Regulations. In addition, at regional level, there is 
the WAEMU Community Civil Aviation Code, which is supranational in nature.  
4.107.   Under the authority of the Ministry responsible  for infrastructure and transport, the 
National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) performs civil aviation regulatory and monitoring functions 
on behalf of the Beninese State.  
4.108.   Benin is a signatory to the Yamoussoukro Decision and the Convention on International 
Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention); it is also a member of the International Civil Aviation 
Organization (ICAO). In general, apart from technical requirements, the conditions for allocating 
                                                
18 These companies are: UASC, COSCO, Grimaldi, Delmas, MSC, Bolloré, Maersk and Pil.  
19 The airfields of: Parakou, Kandi, Natitingou, Savè, Porga, C ana/Bohicon and Djougou (currently 
unusable).  
20 These airlines include: Air Burkina, Air Côte d'Ivoire, Arik Air, Asky Airlines, DHL (cargo), CAMAIR CO, 
CEIBA Intercontinental, Cronos Airlines, Equatorial Congo Airlines, Trans Air Congo, Ethiopian Airlines , Kenya 
Airways, South African Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Air France, Brussels Airlines, and Turkish Airlines.  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  traffic to a company include the existence of a multilateral or b ilateral agreement and the 
designation of the company in question by the civil aviation authority of the country of origin (or 
its notification through diplomatic channels). Benin has signed several bilateral agreements with 
ICAO member States (Table 4.10) . 
Table 4.10 Air transport agreements  Partner  
Date  
Entry into 
force  
5th freedom1 
7th freedom2 
Cabotage3 
Cooperation4 
Designation5 
Refusal6 
Tariff regime7 
Capacity 
Statistics9 
ALI 
Germany  29.12.1978   N N N N S SOEC  DA PD N 1.0 
Belgium  15.02.1971   Y N N N S SOEC  DA PD Y 6.0 
Burkina Faso  20.06.1980   N N N N S SOEC  DA PD Y 0.0 
United States  28.11.2000   Y N N Y M SOEC  DD FD N 28.0 
Ethiopia  17.07.1986   Y N N N S SOEC  DA PD Y 6.0 
Russian 
Federation  17.12.1975   Y N N N S SOEC  DA PD N 7.0 
France  09.12.1963   Y N N N M SOEC  DA PD Y 10.0 
Gabon  20.09.1985   N N N N S SOEC  DA PD Y 0.0 
Guinea  18.08.1988   Y N N N S SOEC  DA PD N 7.0 
Libya 06.09.1979   N N N N S SOEC  DA PD Y 0.0 
Niger  18.01.1979   N N N N S SOEC  DA PD Y 0.0 
Nigeria  24.08.1979   Y N N N S SOEC  DA PD Y 6.0 
Poland  13.05.1988   N N N N S SOEC  DA PD Y 0.0 
Switzerland  06.11.1975   Y N N N S SOEC  DA B1 Y 10.0 
Togo 31.07.1970   N N N N S SOEC  DA PD Y 0.0 
Note:  1 Fifth freedom rights (N  = no; Y  = yes).  
 2 Seventh  freedom rights.  
 3 Cabotage rights.  
 4 Airline company cooperation clause, code -sharing, for example.  
 5 Designation: "S" = single; "M" = multiple.  
 6 Type of refusal clause: SOEC = Substantial ownership and effective control; PPoB = Principal 
 place of b usiness, n.a. = not available.  
 7 Type of pricing clause: DA = Double approval; DD = Double disapproval; CoO = Country of 
origin; ZP = Zone pricing; TL = Free pricing; n.a.= not available.  
 8 Type of capacity clause: PD = Pre -determination; B1 = Bermuda I;  FD = Free 
 determination, O = other; n.a. = not available.  
 9 Whether the agreement provides for the exchange of statistical data.  
Source:  Table compiled by the WTO Secretariat, on the basis of information provided by the Beninese 
authorities.  
4.109.   There was a n increasing trend in the transport of passengers and freight during the review 
period (Table 4.11).  
Table 4.11 Air traffic statistics for Cardinal Bernardin Gantin de Cadjehoun International 
Airport, 2010 -2015 
Period  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  
Aircraft movements        
Commercial  10,942  10,456  10,803  10,268  9,777  7,119  
Other  1,154  884 1,430  1,756  1,882  1,196  
Overall total  12,096  11,340  12,233  12,024  11,659  8,315  
Passengers (units)        
Arrival  200,079  230,651  230,651  232,878  248,272  259,936  
Departure  213,123  250,738  250,738  242,491  266,133  267,103  
Transit, direct  0 0 0 0 0 0 
Overall total  413,202  481,389  481,389  475,369  514,405  527,039  
Freight (kg)        
Arrival  3,072,606  2,615,928  2,492,571  3,264 ,428 3,150,960  2,659,158  
Departure  3,875,594  4,081,533  4,306,884  4,734,910  5,577,024  5,598,731  
Overall total  6,948,200  6,697,461  6,799,455  7,999,338  8,727,984  8,257,889  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  Period  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  
Mail (kg)        
Arrival  120,600  106,849  133,473  95,894  26,749  80,038  
Departure  28,695 29,225  28,708  89,314  28,178  20,234  
Overall total  149,295  136,074  162,181  185,208  54,927  100,272  
Source:  Information provided by the Beninese authorities. ASECN A/DAAN, Companies, DG/ANAC, 
AHS MENZIES BENIN.  
4.110.   Under the supervision of the Agency for Air Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar 
(ASECNA), the National Aviation Activities Delegation (DAAN) has been responsible for the 
commercial management of Cotonou Airport since 2012.  
4.111.   Freight prices are freely determined by the airline companies. The air  freight tariffs for fruit 
and vegetables are subject to dues of CFAF 2 per kg for the account of ANAC and CFAF 8 per kg 
for the account of ASECNA.  
4.4.1.2.3   Land transport  
4.4.1.2.3.1   Road transport  
4.112.   Road transport is the predominant mode of internal transport for goods and pas sengers.  
4.113.   In general, the subsector has to contend with the problems of a dilapidated road 
infrastructure. The network of rural tracks is still very inadequate and many areas are cut off 
during the rainy season. Efforts to develop the economy and trade cont inue to be frustrated by the 
poor connections with the production and border areas.  
4.114.   Road transport prices have been liberalized and Benin is engaged in implementing the 
regional transport and road transit facilitation programme initiated by WAEMU and ECOWA S 
(common report, section 4.4.2.3). Access to the profession of road carrier is open to WAEMU and 
ECOWAS nationals on the same terms as those that apply to Beninese nationals. Order 
No. 001/MTPT/DC/DTT/SEDR of 8  January  1996 regulates the distribution of r oad freight between 
Beninese carriers and those from third countries. In the case of freight bound for the hinterland 
countries, it reserves one third of the tonnage for Beninese carriers, and half the tonnage in the 
case of coastal countries. Cabotage is not allowed under Beninese legislation.  
4.4.1.2.3.2   Rail transport  
4.115.   Rail transport services used to be  managed by the Benin -Niger Joint Railway and Transport 
Organization (OCBN), an industrial and commercial bi -State enterprise. The subsector is 
experiencing immense di fficulties due to the steady decline in its goods traffic and total lack of 
passenger traffic. The OCBN has since become  a new company called BENIRAIL, with its capital 
divided up among the Beninese State, the Nigerian State and the private sector  (Annex o n Niger) . 
4.4.1.2.4   River and lagoon transport  
4.116.   The Port of Cotonou remains less competi tive than its rivals in the sub region. The main 
weaknesses affecting the port's competitiveness include low capacity, poor productivity due to its 
handling rate, and relatively bu rdensome customs procedures.  
4.117.   Efforts are being made to develop river and lagoon transport services, which are still being 
provided by small local craft. In 2010, the Government set up a regulatory framework establishing 
the conditions for engaging in river  and lagoon transport activities. The Directorate in charge of 
river and lagoon transport is responsible for introducing the relevant government strategy.  
4.4.1.3   Tourism  
4.118.   In 2013, Benin formulated its national tourism policy for the period 2013 -2025. Among 
other t hings, this document identified the challenges facing the subsector and the measures that 
could be taken to develop the country's tourism potential.  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  4.119.   Tourism accounts for about 2 % of Benin's GDP and is a major source of foreign currency 
earnings. In 2011, i t employed around 42,500 people, that is, 2.2 % of the economically active 
population.21 Most of the jobs are in restaurants and in hotels and other forms of accommodation. 
Between 2010 and 2014, the number of hotels increased from 580 to 1,134. During the s ame 
period, capacity rose from 7,362 rooms with 14,704 beds to 13,143 rooms with 29,329 beds.  
4.120.   Benin's tourism assets are considerable and diversified. The site of the royal palaces of 
Abomey is currently on UNESCO's world heritage list, while the oral genr e "Gelede " is on the 
representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. With regard to the architectural 
heritage, the country is full of examples of ancient architectural styles, the most famous of which 
is the Tata Somba. Moreover, its natural heritage includes several biosphere reserves 
(classified/sacred forests, parks and bodies of water) and upland areas (the Atacora chain and the 
hills of Dassa and Savalou). The lake village of Ganvié and cultural, including religious, products 
are other attractions. Given its potential, Benin could make tourism an effective means of driving 
economic growth, creating jobs and reducing poverty.  
4.121.   The weakness of the legislative and institutional framework appears to be one of the 
reasons for the sluggis hness in the tourism subsector. The laws and regulations governing the 
subsector have remained unchanged for a number of years and are ill -adapted to the realities of 
the present. The main legislative instrument is Law No.  93001 on hunting and tourism of 
3 August  1993, which allowed for private investment in the subsector. The hotel legislation 
includes Decree No.  96-345 of 23  August  1996 and the catering trade is regulated by Decree 
No. 87-76 of 7  April 1987 on the installation and operation of food servic e establishments. As for 
the current institutional organization, it is characterized by a multiplicity of participants without a  
formal framework for cooperation. However, the authorities have indicated that efforts are being 
made to reform the legislative  and institutional framework for tourism in Benin.  
4.122.   Overall, the subsector is open to foreign companies. In its GATS Schedule of Specific 
Commitments, Benin undertook to maintain hotel and restaurant services open to foreign 
commercial presence. The entry a nd temporary stay of directors, senior executives and specialists 
transferred by a company establishing itself in these subsectors in Benin were also bound. Travel 
agencies installed outside Benin (cross -border supply) must work through a Beninese or forei gn 
agency established in the country.  
4.123.   Investments of CFAF 20  million or more in tourism activities are eligible for the special 
regime under the Investment Code. Moreover, tax relief is available for certain vehicles used for 
tourism.  
4.4.1.4   Financial services  
4.4.1.4.1   Banking  
4.124.   The legislative and institutional framework for banks has remained unchanged since 
Benin's preceding TPR. The practice of banking is subject to WAEMU's common banking regulations 
and to the prudential rules drawn up by its Banking Commission, which a lso has a monitoring role.  
4.125.   Under the GATS, banking services for deposits, loans, payments and transfers have been 
bound for modes  1 to 4.22 Banks must be established in the form of public limited companies with 
fixed share capital having their principal pla ce of business in Benin or, by special authorization, in 
the form of cooperative or mutual societies with variable share capital.23 Moreover, any person 
acting as the director, administrator or manager of a bank or financial institution or one of its 
agenci es must be of Beninese nationality unless the bank has been allowed assimilation to 
nationals of the Republic of Benin under an establishment agreement.  
4.126.   Benin has 15 banks approved by the BCEAO.24 They form a large part of the financial 
sector, accounting f or over 90 % of assets in 2015. Moreover, at the end of June  2015, banking 
                                                
21 National Tourism Policy Paper, 2013 -2025. Ministry of Culture, Literacy, Crafts and Tourism, Cotonou, 
October  2013.  
22 WTO documents GATS/SC/11 a nd GATS/EL/11 of 15  April 1994.  
23 Law No.  90-018 of 27  July 1990 containing the banking regulations.  
24 Online information viewed at: http://www.bceao.int/Benin -2330.html . WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  assets accounted for 62 % of GDP.25 The banking system continues to suffer several weaknesses, 
mainly the high level of non -performing bank loans.  
4.127.   Financial inclusion has recently impr oved with the development of microfinance institutions 
which provide services for more than 20 % of the population. The activities of these financial 
institutions are subject to common WAEMU regulations (common report, section 4.4).26 In Benin, 
the microfina nce institutions are supervised by the Ministry responsible for finance.  
4.4.1.4.2   Insurance  
4.128.   The Beninese insurance market is subject to the regulations of the Inter -African 
Conference on Insurance Markets (CIMA) (common report, section 4). There are 14  insurance 
companies, among them eight offering fire, accident and risk (general) insurance and six offering 
life insurance. In 2011, general insurance accounted for 70 % of production .27 
4.129.   The subsector is supervised by the Ministry responsible for finance. In addition to  
third-party insurance for motor vehicles, which is compulsory under the CIMA Code, third -party 
insurance for users of commercial or fishing vessels and insurance of goods at importation, 
irrespective of the mode of transport used, are also compulsory in B enin. 
                                                
25 Online information viewed at: https://www.imf.org/external/french/pubs/ft/scr/2016/cr1607f.pdf . 
26 Law No.  59/94/ADP of 15  December  1994 and its implementing Decree No.  95-308/PRES/MEFP of 
1 August  1995.  
27 Online information viewed at: http://www.asabenin.org/GROUPE%20AXA.COM/vues/presentation.  
php. WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  5  APPENDIX TABLES  
Table A1. 1 Structure of exports, 2009 -2016  
  2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
World (US$ million)  425.3  533.9  388.6  460.3  602.0  951.0  625.6  409.8  
World (€ million)  306.2  403.1  279.5  358.3  453.4 716.8  564.1  370.4  
 (Percentage share )  
Total primary products  81.4 80.5 69.1 73.4 76.7 59.7 71.7 77.1 
 Agriculture  80.7 72.3 55.0 63.9 68.6 46.6 66.6 71.6 
 Food 49.3 50.5 25.3 28.4 26.4 14.9 22.7 27.1 
 0577 - Edible nuts (excluding 
 nuts chiefly us ed for the 
 extraction of oil), fresh or dried, 
 whether or not shelled or peeled  7.8 6.1 13.4 12.8 12.8 9.2 14.4 13.4 
 4222 – Palm oil and its  fractions  3.7 1.0 0.5 0.6 0.4 0.0 2.9 2.9 
 4229 - Other fixed vegetable 
 fats, crude, refined or 
 fractionate d, other than "soft"  0.0 0.3 0.9 0.6 0.1 0.0 0.3 2.0 
 0813 - Oilcake and other solid 
 residues (except dregs), 
 whether or not ground or in the 
 form of pellets, resulting from 
 the extraction of fats or oils from 
 oil-seeds, oleaginous fruits and 
 germs of cereals  1.9 1.8 1.5 1.4 2.2 0.9 0.9 1.7 
 0611 - Sugars, beet or cane, 
 raw, in solid form, not 
 containing added flavouring or 
 colouring matter  2.0 0.8 0.0 1.6 2.0 0.9 0.6 1.4 
 2237 - Oil-seeds and oleaginous 
 fruits, n.e.s.  0.0 0.0 0.2 0.3 0.7 0.2 0.7 1.2 
 4212 - Cotton seed oil and its 
 fractions  0.0 1.1 2.3 2.2 1.5 0.6 0.7 1.1 
 2223 - Cotton seeds  0.1 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.8 
 2222 - Soya beans  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.8 
 0123 - Meat and edible offal of 
 the poultry of subgroup 001.4  15.7 17.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
 0423 - Rice, semi -milled or 
 wholly milled  8.6 17.1 2.3 1.0 1.7 0.8 0.0 0.0 
 Agricultural raw materials  31.4 21.8 29.7 35.5 42.2 31.7 43.9 44.6 
 2631 - Cotton (other than 
 linters), not carded or combed  30.2 20.8 28.1 32.2 39.1 30.3 41.9 42.8 
 2475 - Wood of non -coniferous 
 species, in the rough (whether 
 or not stripped of bark or 
 sapwood) or roughly squared, 
 but not treated with paint, stains 
 or other preservatives  0.0 0.2 0.3 1.5 1.3 0.2 1.4 0.9 
 Mining  0.7 8.3 14.1 9.6 8.1 13.1 5.1 5.5 
 Ores and other minerals  0.7 0.7 2.3 1.4 1.9 2.2 1.3 1.9 
 2823 - Other ferrous waste and 
 scrap  0.5 0.3 1.7 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.8 1.0 
 Non-ferrous metals  0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 
 Fuels 0.0 7.5 11.7 8.2 6.2 10.9 3.6 3.6 
 334 - Petroleum oils  (other than 
 crude)  0.0 6.7 11.0 8.1 5.8 10.5 3.3 3.2 
Manufactures  18.6 15.1 27.7 22.3 19.7 38.0 25.9 18.5 
 Iron and steel  9.2 6.2 13.4 13.9 10.1 4.3 4.4 4.0 WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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    2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
 6762 - Bars and rods (other 
 than those of subgroup 676.1) 
 of iron or steel, not further 
 worked than hot -rolled, hot -
 drawn or hot -extruded, but 
 including those twisted after 
 rolling  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.1 1.6 1.0 0.8 
 6761 - Bars and rods, hot -rolled, 
 in irregularly wound coils, of iron 
 or steel  3.9 2.1 4.0 4.7 2.2 1.0 0.7 0.8 
 Chemicals  0.9 0.9 1.6 1.1 0.9 1.0 0.8 1.4 
 Other semi -manufactures  0.8 0.6 1.5 1.4 2.9 6.4 6.7 4.7 
 6612 - Portland cement, 
 aluminous cement, slag cement, 
 supersulphate cement and 
 similar hydraulic cements, 
 whether or not coloured or in 
 the form o f clinkers  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 2.2 4.0 5.8 3.7 
 Machine ry and transport  equipment  4.6 5.8 6.4 2.2 3.1 23.0 11.6 4.3 
 Power -generating machinery  0.1 2.4 0.6 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.1 
 Other non -electrical machinery  3.3 1.5 3.9 1.3 2.4 10.9 2.7 2.6 
 7443 - Ships' derricks; cranes 
 (including cable cranes); mobile 
 lifting frames, straddle carriers 
 and works trucks fitted with a 
 crane  0.1 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.5 
 Agricultural machinery and 
 tractors  0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
 Office machines and 
 telecommunications equipment  0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 
 Other electrical machinery  0.1 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.6 0.2 0.1 
 Automotive products  1.0 1.2 1.5 0.6 0.4 0.9 0.8 1.2 
 7812 - Motor vehicles for the 
 transport of persons, n.e.s.  0.1 0.3 0.7 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.6 
 Other transport  equipment  0.0 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1 10.4 7.2 0.2 
 Textiles  2.4 1.4 4.3 3.1 2.3 1.5 1.7 2.7 
 6522 - Cotton fabrics, woven, 
 unbleached (other than gauze 
 and pile and chenille fabrics)  1.6 1.1 3.8 2.8 2.0 1.4 1.7 2.6 
 Articles of app arel and clothing 
 accessories  0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 
 Other consumer goods  0.5 0.3 0.4 0.6 0.4 1.7 0.6 1.4 
 Other  0.0 4.3 3.2 4.2 3.6 2.3 2.4 4.4 
 9710 - Gold, non -monetary 
 (excluding gold ores and 
 concentrates)  0.0 4.3 3.2 4.2 3.6 2.3 2.4 4.4 
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on data from the UNSD Comtrade database (SITC  Rev.3) . WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  Table  A1. 2 Structure of import s, 2009 -2016  
 2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
World (US$ million)  1,549.0  2,133.6  2,070.0 2,316.4  2,940.7  3,596.1  2,474.7  2.630.2  
World (€ million)  1,115.0  1,610.9  1,489.1  1,802.9  2,214.8  2,710.5  2,231.4  2,377.8  
 (Percentage share ) 
Total primary products  52.0 61.4 53.9 62.5 57.4 64.5 61.9 68.6 
 Agriculture  34.6 41.3 36.5 40.8 42.8 49.6 43.9 50.1 
 Food 31.1 38.6 33.9 37.9 40.3 47.6 41.3 49.0 
 0423 - Rice, 
 semi-milled or wholly 
 milled, whether or not 
 polished, glazed, 
 parboiled or converted 
 (including broken rice)  5.9 14.7 7.5 13.1 18.0 27.1 15.2 21.5 
 0422 - Rice, husked 
 but not further 
 prepared (cargo rice 
 or brown rice)  0.0 0.1 0.1 0.5 2.2 1.3 3.2 7.6 
 0123 - Meat and 
 edible offal of the 
 poultry of subgroup 
 001.4, fresh, chilled or 
 frozen  9.3 7.6 9.3 9.4 7.8 6.8 9.1 6.4 
 0342 - Fish, frozen 
 (excluding fillets and 
 minced fish)  1.7 1.3 1.5 1.5 1.3 1.5 2.3 2.7 
 4222 - Palm oil and its 
 fractions  4.3 6.0 5.0 2.7 2.3 1.4 2.1 2.6 
 0341 - Fish, fresh (live 
 or dead) or chilled 
 (excluding fillets and 
 minced fish)  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.4 1.4 1.7 
 0612 - Other beet or 
 cane sugar and 
 chemically pure 
 sucrose, in solid  form 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 1.0 0.7 1.5 1.2 
 Agricultural raw 
 materials  3.5 2.6 2.6 2.9 2.5 2.0 2.6 1.1 
 2690 - Worn clothing 
 and other worn textile 
 articles; rags  3.3 2.5 2.3 2.4 1.9 1.5 2.0 0.8 
 Mining  17.4 20.1 17.4 21.7 14.6 14.8 18.0 18.5 
 Ores and o ther minerals  0.5 0.4 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 
 Non-ferrous metals  0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.2 
 Fuels 16.6 19.6 16.7 21.0 14.1 14.3 17.4 18.0 
 334 - Petroleum oils  
 (other than crude)  9.9 13.5 9.9 15.5 8.9 9.7 11.7 13.1 
 3510 - Electric current  6.3 5.3 6.0 5.3 4.7 3.8 4.6 3.6 
 3425 - Butanes, 
 liquefied  0.4 0.6 0.6 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.6 0.9 
Manufacture s 48.0 38.6 46.1 37.5 42.4 35.5 38.1 31.4 
 Iron and steel  5.2 4.0 5.7 6.1 3.5 2.3 2.9 2.4 
 6761 - Bars and rods, 
 hot-rolled, in 
 irregularly wound 
 coils, of iron or steel  3.5 1.9 2.9 2.4 0.8 0.7 1.0 0.8 
 Chemicals  9.1 6.9 8.8 5.9 5.5 5.0 6.1 6.1 
 5429 - Medicaments, 
 n.e.s.  2.8 2.1 2.5 2.4 2.0 1.9 2.2 2.0 
 5421 - Medicaments 
 containing antibiotics 
 or derivatives thereof  0.9 0.7 0.9 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.8 
 Other semi -
 manufactures  7.9 6.8 8.8 7.5 8.2 4.7 5.8 5.0 WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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   2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
 6612 - Portland 
 cement, aluminous 
 cement, slag cement, 
 supersulphate cement 
 and similar hydraulic 
 cements, whether or 
 not coloured or in the 
 form of clinkers  2.5 2.5 3.9 3.4 2.8 1.3 1.5 1.4 
 6624 - Non-refractory 
 ceramic bricks, tiles, 
 pipes and similar 
 products  0.8 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.5 0.9 0.7 
 Machine ry and transport 
 equipment  15.6 14.0 15.4 11.9 20.1 18.1 18.2 14.1 
 Power -generating 
 machinery  0.4 0.7 0.4 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.5 
 Other non -electrical 
 machinery  3.5 3.3 3.6 2.9 6.6 4.1 4.4 3.4 
 7443 - Ships' derricks; 
 cranes (including 
 cable cranes); mobile 
 lifting frames, straddle 
 carriers and works 
 trucks fitted with a 
 crane  0.0 0.3 0.0 0.3 1.1 0.2 1.0 0.7 
 Agricultural mac hinery 
 and tractors  0.0 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.2 
 Office machines and 
 telecommunications 
 equipment  2.9 1.9 2.0 1.5 2.0 1.1 1.7 1.2 
 Other electrical 
 machinery  1.4 1.3 1.2 0.8 1.6 1.1 1.7 1.2 
 Automotive products  5.1 4.8 5.6 4.2 3.8 3.4 5.2 5.3 
 7812 - Motor vehicles 
 for the transport of 
 persons, n.e.s.  3.3 2.7 3.2 2.8 2.2 2.0 3.1 3.5 
 7821 - Motor vehicles 
 for the transport of 
 goods  1.0 1.2 0.9 0.7 0.9 0.8 1.1 1.0 
 Other transport 
 equipment  2.4 2.1 2.6 1.9 5.6 7.9 4.6 2.5 
 7851 - Motor cy cles 
 (including mopeds) 
 and cycles fitted with 
 an auxiliary motor, 
 with or without 
 side-cars; side -cars 2.0 1.7 2.2 1.6 1.7 1.9 2.4 2.0 
 Textiles  3.4 2.2 3.4 3.0 2.3 2.9 2.0 1.4 
 Articles of apparel and 
 clothing accessories  3.3 2.1 1.0 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 
 Other consumer goods  3.5 2.7 3.0 2.7 2.5 2.3 2.7 2.3 
Other  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on data from the UNSD Comtrade database (SITC  Rev.3).  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  Table A1. 3 Destination of exports, 2009 -2016  
  2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
World (US$ million)  425.3  533.9  388.6  460.3  602.0  951.0  625.6  409.8  
World (€ million)  306.2  403.1  279.5  358.3  453.4  716.8  564.1  370.4  
 (Percentage share)  
America 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.7 0.7 2.2 1.3 2.4 
 USA 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.4 0.5 1.2 0.7 1.7 
 Other America  0.4 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.2 1.0 0.6 0.7 
Europe  5.2 8.9 10.7 7.1 8.3 19.5 11.5 12.1 
 EU-28 5.1 8.0 10.6 6.4 7.3 13.7 8.8 8.4 
 France  0.6 0.8 2.2 0.9 0.5 3.2 2.5 2.1 
 Denmar k 0.9 1.3 3.0 1.5 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.0 
 Belgium 0.1 1.0 0.3 0.2 0.2 1.6 0.7 1.1 
 Italy 0.1 1.0 1.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.4 1.0 
 EFTA 0.1 0.4 0.0 0.6 0.7 1.4 1.2 0.9 
 Other Europe  0.0 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.2 4.5 1.5 2.9 
 Albania  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.5 0.7 2.2 
Commonwealth of Independent States 
(CIS)  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.5 
 Ukraine  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.5 
Africa 58.3 64.4 45.8 44.4 37.8 42.1 28.5 28.1 
 Nigeria 39.9 42.3 11.9 8.9 11.7 5.0 6.3 6.6 
 Niger  2.1 3.1 2.6 5.2 5.2 5.9 9.6 6.0 
 Togo 2.5 2.2 2.3 1.8 3.0 2.0 1.7 3.6 
 Egypt  0.0 0.0 0.4 0.2 2.3 3.0 2.6 3.3 
 Côte d'Ivoire  2.6 2.6 4.6 6.5 2.2 1.9 1.7 2.9 
 Ghana  0.3 4.1 4.8 5.0 2.8 3.9 1.5 1.2 
 Burkina Faso  0.6 1.1 1.8 0.8 1.1 0.6 0.6 1.1 
Middle East  0.1 0.9 1.4 0.6 1.0 0.3 0.5 1.5 
 United Arab Emirates  0.0 0.7 1.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.4 1.3 
Asia 36.0 25.7 41.8 47.1 52.2 35.8 58.2 54.4 
 China  18.5 10.0 15.6 25.0 20.0 9.9 5.3 6.7 
 Japan 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 
 Other Asia  17.5 15.7 26.2 22.0 32.0 26.0 53.0 47.7 
 India 8.2 4.6 9.8 11.2 11.8 8.6 13.0 15.4 
 Malaysia 1.2 1.5 4.0 7.0 3.9 3.8 8.8 13.2 
 Bangladesh  0.0 0.6 0.1 0.0 2.9 4.4 7.4 10.2 
 Viet Nam  3.1 2.1 1.6 1.5 3.7 4.1 7.5 3.2 
 Pakistan  0.8 0.7 0.5 0.2 0.5 0.5 2.8 1.7 
 Indon esia 2.0 3.2 7.1 0.6 6.4 3.6 3.7 1.1 
Memorandum:          
West African Economic and Monetary  
Union (WAEMU)  9.3 9.6 12.5 14.8 11.9 10.6 14.1 14.0 
 Niger  2.1 3.1 2.6 5.2 5.2 5.9 9.6 6.0 
 Togo 2.5 2.2 2.3 1.8 3.0 2.0 1.7 3.6 
 Côte d'Ivoire  2.6 2.6 4.6 6.5 2.2 1.9 1.7 2.9 
 Burkina Faso  0.6 1.1 1.8 0.8 1.1 0.6 0.6 1.1 
 Senegal 0.4 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.5 0.2 
 Mali 1.2 0.4 1.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 
 Guinea-Bissau  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on data from the UNSD Comtrade database.  WT/TPR/S/362 • Benin  
 
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  Table A1. 4 Origin  of import s, 2009 -2016  
  2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
World (US$ million)  1,549.0  2,133.6  2,070.0  2,316.4  2,940.7  3,596.1  2,474.7  2,630.2  
World (€ million)  1,115.0  1,610.9  1,489.1  1,802.9  2,214.8  2,710.5  2,231.4  2,377.8  
 (Percentage share)  
America  6.0 4.5 5.3 7.6 8.9 9.0 6.9 5.2 
 USA 2.5 2.2 2.2 1.8 5.5 6.4 3.3 2.2 
 Other America  3.5 2.4 3.1 5.8 3.4 2.7 3.6 3.0 
 Brazil  2.9 1.8 2.3 3.6 2.6 1.8 2.8 2.0 
Europe  43.7 41.7 44.6 42.0 33.1 30.7 36.1 31.1 
 EU-28 40.4 38.2 41.4 37.2 30.7 28.7 34.0 28.2 
 France  17.5 14.7 15.7 13.7 11.7 8.3 11.7 10.1 
 Netherlands  5.0 5.7 4.4 4.4 4.2 4.5 3.2 4.8 
 Belgium  4.1 3.8 4.6 5.2 4.0 3.8 4.9 4.7 
 Spain  2.1 2.6 2.0 1.9 1.5 2.8 6.0 2.0 
 Germany  3.1 3.0 4.3 1.7 1.5 1.0 1.4 2.0 
 United Kingdom  3.9 4.4 4.6 4.5 2.3 3.6 2.1 1.3 
 Italy 1.4 1.6 1.5 0.9 1.6 0.9 1.2 1.0 
 EFTA 2.9 2.7 2.4 3.1 1.0 0.8 0.8 1.6 
 Switzerland  1.7 1.8 2.0 2.7 0.7 0.7 0.6 1.1 
 Other Europe  0.4 0.8 0.8 1.7 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.3 
 Turkey  0.4 0.8 0.8 1.7 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.3 
Commonwealth of 
Independent States (CIS)  0.1 0.8 0.3 0.9 0.5 0.2 0.3 1.1 
 Russian Federation  0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.2 1.0 
Africa  21.4 19.4 23.6 22.5 19.5 18.1 19.4 17.5 
 Togo 10.9 7.9 12.0 10.0 10.3 7.3 8.5 7.3 
 Morocco  0.2 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.8 1.1 1.5 
 Nigeria  3.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 2.5 2.1 3.3 1.5 
 Mauritania  0.8 0.5 0.6 0.3 0.3 1.5 0.9 1.4 
 Angola  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 1.3 
Middle East  2.4 3.1 2.2 2.7 1.7 2.1 1.8 3.2 
 United Arab Emirates  1.8 2.7 1.5 2.5 1.4 1.7 1.3 2.5 
Asia 26.0 30.3 23.9 24.2 36.1 39.6 35.2 42.1 
 China  13.4 10.2 9.3 8.3 10.0 7.8 10.8 8.4 
 Japan  1.4 1.3 1.5 0.8 0.7 0.3 0.1 0.4 
 Other Asia  11.2 18.8 13.1 15.2 25.4 31.5 24.3 33.3 
 India 1.0 0.9 1.2 4.2 11.3 13.3 9.8 14.9 
 Thailand 2.8 8.6 4.4 4.7 6.7 12.6 7.7 12.4 
 Malaysia  3.2 5.6 4.1 2.6 2.6 1.3 2.4 2.5 
Other  0.4 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.0 
Memorandum:          
West African Economic 
and Monetary Union 
(WAEMU)  14.5 10.7 16.0 15.0 12.6 8.9 11.3 8.8 
 Togo 10.9 7.9 12.0 10.0 10.3 7.3 8.5 7.3 
 Côte d'Ivoire  2.9 2.1 3.2 4.3 1.7 1.1 1.9 0.9 
 Senegal  0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.5 0.3 0.6 0.4 
 Burkina Faso  0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 
 Mali 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
 Niger  0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 
 Guinea -Bissau  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on data from the UNSD Comtrad e database.