• Benin has approved a new five-year plan focused on urban development, transportation, and environmental sustainability.
• The plan will require around $9.7 billion, with over half of the funding coming from national resources.
• Key goals include cleaner cities, better transport systems, and stronger environmental protection by 2030.

Benin’s government has signed off on a new strategic plan that sets the country’s development path through 2029, with a focus on modernizing transportation, improving city living, and protecting the environment. The plan, which will cost about CFA5,617.28 billion (roughly $9.7 billion), was approved at the Council of Ministers meeting held on April 16. More than half of the funding, or CFA3,521.23 billion, will come from domestic sources.

By 2030, Benin aims to become a “green country with clean, attractive cities and a modern, high-performing transport system,” the government said in a statement. To achieve this, the plan focuses on four main areas: better governance in the sector, more attractive and competitive urban centers, sustainable environmental and biodiversity management, and improved transport infrastructure and services.

The plan will be rolled out through 12 strategic areas and 5 operational programs, broken down into 19 specific actions.

Benin has made transportation and urban development key pillars of its economic strategy. In recent years, the government has poured resources into improving the road network, but challenges remain—especially in managing traffic in major cities like Cotonou, Abomey-Calavi, and Porto-Novo, as well as in expanding transport options beyond roads.

Several efforts are also underway to improve living conditions. These include a CFA340 billion ($590 million) social housing program, a CFA42 billion project to help cities adapt to climate change, and CFA5 billion in funding to upgrade waste and sewage management systems.

A recent World Bank report said continued investment in roads, ports, and other infrastructure could help Benin grow its economy, raise worker incomes, and improve overall living conditions.