• Benin adopts a CFA996 billion ($1.7 billion) health development plan for 2026-2030
• Program aims to improve governance, services, and access to quality care nationwide
• Linked to ARCH project offering health insurance, credit access, and pensions for workers

Benin has approved its National Health Development Plan for 2026-2030, valued at more than CFA996 billion (about $1.7 billion). The government announced the decision in its Council of Ministers report on September 3, 2025.

Officials described the plan as a reference document for all health sector actors, aligned with the goals of the National Health Policy running from 2018 to 2030. The program seeks to strengthen governance, improve services, and raise the quality of care in a context where infrastructure, equipment, and medical supplies already reflect notable progress.

The government said the new plan addresses weaknesses identified in the previous edition and incorporates new sector challenges.

To improve access to healthcare across the country, the plan is tied to the Assurance for the Strengthening of Human Capital (ARCH) project, which includes a health insurance component. ARCH also provides easier credit for low-income workers in the informal sector, and offers pension schemes for farmers, traders, transport operators, artisans, and artists.

The health development plan is aligned with Benin’s national health strategy for 2018-2030, which aims to build a regulated, efficient, and resilient system ensuring continuous availability of care at all levels, with strong community participation.