The African Development Bank Group (Bad) approved, last Friday 24 October, a financing of 117 million euros, or nearly 77 billion CFA francs. This funding will make it possible to support The Program to Support the Economic Development of Territorial Communities (RESPECT).

The financing of the ADB in favor of Benin inaugurates a new approach focused on performance, guaranteeing better follow-up and efficient use of resources. Indeed, the PADECT will promote digitization of public services, with the deployment of infrastructures digital in 89 public institutions, mobile connection in 114 localities and the creation of 65 community digital points to facilitate access to the Internet and reduce the digital divide. This program aims to transform the country's 77 municipalities into real centres of attractiveness economic, capable of generating investments, jobs and innovation over the period 2026-2031. This financing comes from a $110 loan. million euros from the AfDB, supplemented by 7 million euros from the African Fund Development Programme (FAD), which aims to transform municipalities into points of sustainable economic attraction.

PADECT aims to empower communities increased territorial capacities to implement their development plans municipal, improving access to finance for SMEs, in particular through the SME Development Agency, and ensure a minimum representation of 30% of women in local authorities and funded initiatives.

The evaluation report environmental and social by PADECT, published by the Ministry of the Economy and des Finances du Bénin, details components such as the creation of a local environment conducive to businesses, the digital transformation of communities, and support for climate actions at the local level.