Benin secures 100 million euros for electricity expansion

Benin has secured approximately 100 million euros (65.5 billion CFA francs) in financing to support the PEDER+ project, aimed at expanding electricity access and stabilizing the Société béninoise d’énergie électrique (SBEE).

The funding agreements were signed at the Élysée Palace on October 5, 2026, following an official visit by Benin's Minister Delegate for External Resource Mobilization and Debt Management, Romuald Wadagni, and a meeting with Emmanuel Macron. The financing includes 94.4 million euros from the Agence française de développement and a mandate letter from Bpifrance worth 3.54 billion CFA francs. The European Union is also listed as a financial partner.

The PEDER+ project intends to connect 120,000 additional households to the national electricity grid. This initiative is expected to promote local economic development, ensure territorial rebalancing, and improve the financial health of the SBEE.