• Benin launches $1.4 billion five-year tourism development plan
• Target: 2 million annual visitors and 13.4% GDP share from tourism by 2030
• Strategy includes infrastructure, visa reforms, and cultural promotion

Benin has approved a $1.4 billion strategic plan to develop its tourism, culture, and arts sectors over the 2025–2029 period. The plan aims to attract two million visitors annually and increase the tourism sector’s contribution to GDP from 6% to 13.4% by 2030.

Adopted at the Council of Ministers meeting on June 11, 2025, the 797.17 billion FCFA ($1.4 billion) plan seeks to transform these sectors into drivers of sustainable development and global visibility.

The strategy is built around three priorities: modernizing the Ministry of Tourism’s operations, expanding tourism offerings, and promoting culture and the arts as pillars of the creative economy.

To oversee implementation, a committee including all relevant stakeholders will be established. The government plans to expand the national tourism portfolio with upgraded heritage sites, new museums, beach resorts, and luxury hotels, along with improvements in hospitality, catering, and transport services.

To support the initiative, Benin has already invested over €2 billion in infrastructure and destination branding. Additional reforms include lifting visa requirements for several countries and deploying e-visa services to simplify entry.