As part of the “SecFin Africa” project, a European initiative to strengthen the fight against financial flows illicit, the Beninese government has implemented a High Level Programme Intensity 2025—2027. This program will contribute to capacity building national and regional cooperation.

The 2025—2027 High Intensity Program constitutes a national version of the “SecFin Africa” project. It is based on three big pillars. The first concerns the strengthening of national capacities to prevent, investigate, and punish financial crimes. The formations of trainers will be the heart of it, in order to build a pool of regional experts able to continue working beyond the duration of the program.

The second axis is aimed at strengthening the regional cooperation, through exchanges of information and good practices between neighboring countries.

Finally, the third component aims to support the civil society, responsible for raising awareness among the general public about the effects of financial crime and the importance of transparency.

In reality, SecFin Africa aims to strengthen institutional, technical and operational capacities of African countries in the face of transnational financial crimes in Africa. It accompanies Benin in the preparation of its third mutual evaluation scheduled for 2027, in consolidating the reforms already under way. SecFin Africa (2024—2028) aims to contribute to the mobilization of domestic resources and stabilization economic situation in African countries.

According to Stéphanie Berthomeau, regional coordinator West Africa of the SecFin Africa project, “Benin has achieved significant progress since its second assessment in 2021, but it remains strengthen the operational efficiency of the system. Our role is to provide the technical support needed to take this step.”

The development of the Beninese curriculum began in October 2024 through an exploratory mission to public and private actors. The action plan co-constructed with the Beninese authorities was validated in June last by the National Committee for the Coordination of Counter-Terrorism Activities money laundering and terrorist financing (CNCA) and then by the European Commission.

According to Stéphanie Berthomeau, “The fight combating illicit financial flows is a collective fight. It requires the mobilization of all: public institutions, magistrates, regulators, banks, but also civil society and citizens.”