On Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at the Palais des Congres in Cotonou, the Minister for Living Environment and Sustainable Development José TONATO officially launched the Building Resilient and Inclusive Cities (BRIC) Program. Indeed, the Government of Benin aims, through its Programme of Action 2021—2026, to improve the well-being of all Beninese people and to preserve the environment. Its vision is inclusive and sustainable development based on resilient and safe cities.

The BRIC Programme seeks to contribute to greater climate resilience by giving municipalities a greater role in providing basic urban infrastructure and services that reduce flood and public health risks, alongside the State, which will implement rain sanitation/urban drainage investments. This program, which will be carried out by strengthening the conventional State-Commons tool, has a total cost of 300 million dollars, or 195 billion CFA francs, including a contribution of 65 billion from the national budget and 130 billion by the World Bank. The seven municipalities benefiting from the program are Allada, Aplahoué, Dassa-Zoumé, Djougou, Kandi, Lokossa and Pobè. It is clear that a new face is emerging for the Beninese nation with the implementation of the BRIC program.