The Beninese government has approved a revision of the initial marketing terms for social and economic housing in Ouèdo, aiming to make the housing offer more accessible to the population. This decision was made during a Council of Ministers meeting on October 7, 2026. The changes are designed to broaden the range of eligible beneficiaries.
For social housing, eligibility is now open to all public officials and agents, regardless of their income level. The target social group has also been extended to households in the private sector, including traders, craftsmen, private sector employees, and liberal professionals. This expansion aims to include a wider range of people in the social housing program.
Another significant change is that access to social housing is now open to second-time buyers. Individuals who already own a built property on the national territory can now apply to acquire a social housing unit, provided they meet other applicable conditions. The condition of not owning any built property on the national territory has been lifted.
The government has also authorized the purchase of multiple housing units in bulk for specific social targets, such as sponsors and large institutional companies. This possibility is intended to facilitate access to housing for these entities' employees. The changes also apply to economic housing, with new marketing terms.
For economic housing, purchases can now be made through simple rental, subject to availability. Companies can also acquire housing lots for their agents. The purchase of multiple housing units in bulk is also authorized for specific targets, such as sponsors and large institutional companies, for the benefit of their employees.
Additionally, the government has authorized the rental of apartments, offering an additional possibility for people who wish to occupy a housing unit without immediately acquiring it. These new provisions concern available housing stock that is ready for occupation. The government has stated that they can be modified or extended if necessary to other phases of the 20,000 Housing Program.
These measures follow a first update of the marketing terms, decided by the Council of Ministers on December 17, 2025. Despite previous adjustments, the government noted difficulties during the marketing phase, particularly related to the narrowness of the categories of beneficiaries of social housing and the restriction of access to first-time buyers.
Key points
- The Beninese government has expanded eligibility for social and economic housing in Ouèdo to include more people, such as public officials, private sector employees, traders, and craftsmen.
- The government has lifted the condition of not owning any built property on the national territory for social housing, allowing second-time buyers to apply.
- The changes also allow for the purchase of multiple housing units in bulk for specific social targets, such as sponsors and large institutional companies.
