(Ecofin Agency) - The government of Benin will receive $50 million from the World Bank to continue the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Atou Seck, the World Bank's Country Director for Benin, the financing will make it possible to make up the shortfall in state budget resources to meet the basic social needs and those of the productive sector. It will support the reforms undertaken by the government to strengthen fiscal and debt management, improve the financial viability of the energy sector, and promote the development of the digital economy.

With 1,187 cases of coronavirus, including 19 deaths and 323 recoveries, Benin has in recent days witnessed a rapid propagation of the pandemic, which could lead to a strengthening of restrictive measures likely to slow down economic activity. The introduction of the disease into the country a few months ago had already led to a decline in growth prospects and government revenue for this year, while significant social spending is planned in the 2020 state budget.

The new funding brings to $90 million the total amount disbursed by the World Bank to the West African country as part of the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Moutiou Adjibi Nourou