The 10th legislature of Bénin’s National Assembly has called an extraordinary plenary session for this Friday, placing two legislative proposals at the top of the agenda. Among these is a budget rectification bill for 2026 and amendments to the law governing the functioning of the Mediator of the Republic.

The Presidents’ Conference approved the accelerated timeline to ensure swift examination and adoption of these priorities. This urgency reflects the need to align government action with the newly established administration under President Romuald Wadagni and his defined strategic priorities.

The revised budget proposal increases the national budget from 3,783.984 billion to 4,086.620 billion FCFA, marking an 8% rise. Despite this adjustment, macroeconomic projections remain unchanged, with growth sustained at 7.5%. Personnel costs have been reduced by 9.8% through efficiency measures that do not affect planned recruitments or essential service acquisitions.

What the budget revision means for Bénin

Budget revenue is projected to rise by 2%, while investment spending climbs by 8.5%. Beyond financial adjustments, the revised budget places strong emphasis on social priorities. New allocations target enhanced social protection and human development, including:

• Expansion of water access points in schools and health centers
• Accelerated nutritional support for children under two years old
• Strengthening of mandatory health insurance schemes
• Enhanced support for homeless children and those engaged in street begging

Education will see significant progress with the phased implementation of free secondary school tuition for girls beginning in the 2026–2027 academic year. Additionally, a program to construct storage facilities for school canteens has been launched.

Security remains a cornerstone of the revised budget, with increased funding allocated to public safety. Key initiatives include expanded video surveillance systems in major urban centers. The health and infrastructure sectors also receive a boost, with public investment programs supporting hospital construction, hospital rehabilitation, and the operational launch of the Calavi International Hospital. Sanitation and transportation infrastructure projects are also prioritized.

In response to rising living costs driven by global pressures, the government is introducing subsidies for agricultural inputs. This measure aims to bolster productivity and safeguard national food security.

Friday’s session is set to be a defining moment in Bénin’s legislative calendar, with far-reaching implications for both fiscal policy and national priorities.