WASHINGTON, June 18, 2026 — The World Bank Group today endorsed a new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Benin, and approved two International Development Association (IDA) financing operations totaling $320 million and access to the Prevention and Resilience Allocation (PRA). These aim to facilitate access to renewable electricity, reduce stunting, and strengthen resilience and social cohesion.

The new CPF, spanning from 2027 to 2036, will support Benin's development vision by creating more quality jobs around three pillars: (i) developing a healthier and more skilled workforce, (ii) expanding access to foundational infrastructure, and (iii) promoting a private sector–led transformation. The first pillar focuses on strengthening human capital through nutrition — especially during the first 2,000 days of life — education, and vocational training, to equip Beninese citizens with the skills and productive capacity needed for a dynamic economy. The second pillar prioritizes infrastructure development, thereby facilitating access to productivity-enhancing services. Finally, the third pillar aims to transform the economy through a regulatory framework conducive to economic activity, access to finance for Small and Medium Enterprises — particularly those led by women — and the mobilization of private investment, contributing to increased job creation, household incomes, and reduced poverty and regional disparities. 

"Benin has made remarkable progress over the past decade, but the challenge ahead is even greater: creating enough quality jobs for a rapidly growing workforce. Jobs are the north star of Benin's development journey, which is why the alignment between the Government's ALAFIA 2060 vision and this new Country Partnership Framework is so powerful. Together, we are focused on strengthening resilience and accelerating private sector-led growth to create more and better jobs for all Beninese," said Marie-Chantal Uwanyiligira, World Bank Division Director for Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, and Togo. "Through transformative investments such as the Multiphase Nutrition Program and the Dogo-Bis Multipurpose Dam Program, the World Bank Group is moving from strategy to delivery, turning ambition into jobs, and jobs into lasting prosperity."

Under the CPF, Benin will receive an IDA allocation of $1.077 billion over the next decade. This will be complemented by financing from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) to support the private sector. The World Bank Group will leverage various instruments to enhance the impact of its interventions through synergies across its entities.

"We want to make the private sector the engine of economic transformation and job creation in Benin for the next decade. This new partnership framework will continue to strengthen the business environment to mobilize greater private investment for the benefit of the country and its people," added Nathalie Kouassi Akon, IFC Division Director for the Gulf of Guinea.

Regarding the concrete scope of the programs approved for Benin, Phase 1 of the Dogo-Bis Multipurpose Dam is financed at $150 million, as part of an overall envelope of $580 million. This phase prepares for the construction of the country's first large-scale multipurpose hydroelectric dam on the Ouémé River, with a capacity of 128 MW. The program combines renewable energy production, irrigation of 17,500 hectares, a 40% reduction in flood risk, and restoration of 14,000 hectares of forest. Phase 1 will directly benefit 168,000 people through improved transport infrastructure, 128,000 through social services, and 20,000 through new access to electricity. This program will receive additional support from IFC.

The Alafia 1 "Feeding Benin for the Future" Program is financed at $170 million — including $150 million from IDA and $20 million from the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents (GFF).

It targets improved access to integrated nutrition, health, and child development services, with a particular focus on women, newborns, children under five, adolescents, and youth. The program will strengthen community resilience and nutritious food systems through local engagement and private sector partnerships facilitated by IFC advisory services. Notably, Benin is the first new country to join the GFF partnership under its TRANSFORM 2030 strategy, bringing the total number of GFF partner countries to 37.

Furthermore, Benin's eligibility for the Prevention and Resilience Allocation (PRA) will help the country overcome fragility factors related to natural resource management, regional disparities, and employment.

This allocation will support the government's Prevention and Resilience Program (PREP 2024–2029), aimed at strengthening local governance, land and natural resource management, economic inclusion of youth and women, and improving social cohesion and security in fragile areas.

Contacts:
À Cotonou: Gnona Afangbedji, +229 01 90 07 4732 yafangbedji@worldbank.org

To learn more about the World Bank’s work in Benin: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/benin

To learn more about IDA: https://ida.worldbank.org/en/ida

For more information, visit: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/western-and-central-africa

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Press Release
2026/071/AFW