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Cotonou

Overview of main development results in Benin in 2014
Summary Multi Annual Strategic Plan (MASP)
The Netherlands’ development cooperation with Benin, a transition country, focuses on three priorities - food security, sexual and
reproductive health and rights, and water and sanitation - and on economic diplomacy: improving the business climate, persuading
Dutch enterprises to invest in Benin, and helping modernise the Port of Cotonou. There is potential for increased trade between
Benin and the Netherlands in the area of water and agriculture. Benin performs reasonably well on governance indicators compared to
other countries in the region. Within the priority programmes, sector governance nevertheless plays a role in all projects. Due to fraud at
the water ministry in 2014, the whole water programme was stopped in May 2015.

Priority themes
Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)
Food security
Water

Embassy contribution to changes at country level
In 2014, 18 youth centres were set up (16 in 2013) providing
information on reproductive health, 89,700 young people (up
from 69,000 in 2013) were counseled for sexual transmitted
diseases in Dutch-supported centres, and 129,000 young people
(76,000 in 2013) were reached through peer education.
In 2014 the number of couple years of protection reached
79,200 (up from 34,970 in 2013). Embassy programmes distributed
7,800 female condoms, 3,800 intra-uterine devices and 7,500
implants. 1,013 religious leaders were sensitised to the benefits of
family planning (compared to 167 in 2013).
Benin improved strongly on the Doing Business Index, and
was the top reformer in 2014 (second of all countries). 80 Dutch
businesses received support through the embassy and embassy
partners and a total of 10 Dutch companies were attracted to
Benin (up from 7 in 2013).
Dutch food strategy focuses on post-harvest supply chain
development and factors enabling production, like feeder roads to
improve market access. By end 2014 18,030 km of feeder roads
had regular maintenance (2013: 11,290 km) and 1,950 km periodic
maintenance (2013: 1,225 km) (cumulative figures).
Interest is growing in Benin in Dutch expertise in the water
sector, including port activities.
Rural water coverage (68.1% in 2014 compared to 65.6% in
2013) and urban water coverage (72% in 2014 compared to 68.8%
in 2013) continue to increase steadily. No data are available yet on
sanitation, since most programmes are in the early stages of
implementation.

Clarifications of results achieved
SRHR: the government continues to be slow in formulating and
executing its own programmes. INGOs perform much better.
Food security: the government is still too slow in applying new
land law/regulations.
Water: due to fraud at the water ministry in 2014, the entire water
programme was stopped in May 2015.

Implications for planning
Due to fraud in the water sector, increased attention to governance issues is important. The Dutch decision to suspend all
government-related programmes has sparked an intense debate
within Benin and among donors which may prepare fertile ground
for serious improvements.

Expenditures 2014 per theme
Total expenditure Embassy €32,092,000
Water 44%
Food security 44%
SRHR 11%
Security and rule of law 1%

Expenditures 2014 per channel
Government 70%
NGO 18%
Private sector 10%
Multilateral 2%

Developments in Benin
On track

Progress, but not on track

No progress

Better informed young people who are thus able to make
healthier choices regarding their sexuality
A growing number of people with access to anti-retroviral
drugs, contraceptives and other sexual health commodities
More efficient markets and an improved business climate
An increase in sustainable food production
Improved link between trade and development cooperation
in the water sector
An increase in water and sanitation coverage