IMF estimated, in a communiqué published on 15 September, that growth of the Beninese economy would slow down, to settle at a rate of 5.5% a year in 2015 and in 2016, due to the fall in Nigeria's growth, principal economic partner of the country.

"This represents a moderate slowdown with respect to 2014 arising from the negative impact from the decline in the Nigerian economy, principal trading partner of Benin", declared Christine Dieterich, who recently led an IMF mission of experts to Benin, quoted in the communiqué.

A cotton producing country and member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), Benin should record an inflation rate of 2% next year, according to the Bretton Woods institution.

Nigeria only recorded growth of 2.35% in the second quarter of 2015, against 6.45% during the same period in 2014, due to the fall in oil prices on the international market.