(Ecofin Agency) - In Cotonou since last Sunday, the head of the International Monetary Fund, seems very optimistic regarding the reforms initiated by the Talon government.

Mrs. Lagarde lauded the government for its efforts in consolidating its public finances and for implementing structural reforms to restart Benin’s economy which was one of the least performant of the WAEMU in 2016. She also reiterated her commitment to support the government’s action plan (PAG), a 5-year program which aims at boosting the image of Benin, both locally and internationally.

“You ambitioned to reduce poverty by spending better and more in the sectors of education and health and you also ambitioned to establish good governance rules for investors to better look at Benin. Well, I believe that in these regards, your government has clearly shown that it can keep its word,” she said.

According to the former French minister, Benin’s economy should grow more than 6% in 2018, driven by the government’s reforms and a better global economic context.

“Today, I can say that Benin kept its word and initiated the structural reforms needed to improve the management of its public finances and to restart its economy,” Lagarde added.

While the IMF throws flowers to the government, the country’s political environment is marked by a rising social tension as the opposition and the civic society strongly protest the President’s governance methods.

Fiacre E. Kakpo