The Islamic Development Bank (ISDB) will provide a financing of USD 170 million for the construction of two new universities in Benin, the Office of the President of Benin announced on 10 August.

"The head of state had discussions on Friday 7 August with a delegation from the Islamic Development Bank about new universities established in our country. ISDB promises to support this initiative with a little contribution of USD 170 million", we read in a press release posted on the Facebook account of President Boni Yayi.

"We have met the head of state as part of a partnership programme for the development of tertiary education in Benin. The President has given us guidance on the strategic aspects of this partnership", declared Abdul Rahman Beddi, head of the ISBD delegation, quoted in the same communiqué.

Mr. Beddi stressed that the Kétou Agricultural University and Abomey Polytechnic University will benefit from a support of about USD 170 million, indicating that the mission he led has already carried out field visits and continues the discussions with the Beninese counterparty on the technical characteristics of the project.

Martin Ogoussan, director of curriculum development and prospective at the Beninese ministry of tertiary education explained that financial partners were interested in the construction of other different universities, citing the example of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) financing the construction of the Lokossa University with a funding of FCfa 4.5 billion.