Benin launches 4.7 billion CFA franc rural road rehabilitation program

The government of Benin has launched a program to rehabilitate and develop 118.677 kilometers of rural roads across five departments: Zou, Couffo, Collines, Donga, and Alibori. The project, part of the Regional Agricultural Market Integration Program (PRIMA-Benin), has an estimated cost of 4.7 billion CFA francs.

Financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the initiative aims to connect agricultural production zones to markets, facilitate the transport of harvests, and reduce costs for producers. Many of the targeted routes are located near the borders of Togo, Nigeria, and Niger, which will help strengthen regional trade.

The Société des infrastructures routières et de l’aménagement du territoire (SIRAT) will oversee the implementation of the works. This infrastructure development is critical for the local economy, as agriculture accounts for 24.2% of Benin's GDP and supports approximately 2.3 million people.