The government of Benin and its partners have launched the sixth phase of the Communal Development Support Fund (FADeC), aimed at improving the impact of local investments. The program, launched in Cotonou on October 27, seeks to provide quality infrastructure, better support to communes, and strengthen social cohesion, particularly in the northern regions. The initiative is expected to benefit all 77 communes in Benin.
The FADeC VI program is designed to address the needs of local populations by providing them with better access to essential services. The program's focus is on concrete achievements such as improved roads, equipped schools, and adapted health centers. According to Réginal Koumagbèafidé, Director-General of the Communal Investment Fund (FIC), the program's goal is to promote equitable access to adequate and sustainable basic infrastructure.
The FADeC VI program consists of two components: investments financed through the non-affected FADeC and resilience through the Sahel window of FADeC, targeting 27 communes in the north. The program aims to support projects developed with local population participation, which can improve living conditions. The approach prioritizes local choices to ensure that investments meet the needs and priorities of the inhabitants.
To ensure the success of the program, the government and partners are committed to strengthening the capacity of communal administrations to design and implement quality projects. This includes improving the quality of studies, project engineering, and technical assistance to communes. Christiane Kuadjo, representing the Minister of Budget and Public Service, emphasized the importance of this support in enabling communes to prepare and implement satisfactory investments.
The FADeC VI program is part of a cooperation dynamic around decentralization and local development. Partners, including the German Cooperation through KfW, have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Benin's efforts to strengthen communal administrations and improve services to populations. The program aims to provide communes with the means to fulfill their missions and preserve social links, particularly in fragile areas.
The program's implementation will be supported by the FIC, which is expected to become the "bank of communes." This orientation reflects the government's ambition to have an instrument that can accompany local authorities in accessing financing, structuring projects, and diversifying resources. For communes, the challenge is to mobilize the necessary means for their ambitions while strengthening the quality of their management.
The launch of FADeC VI demonstrates the government's commitment to decentralization and local development. Partners have welcomed the initiative, highlighting its potential to promote sustainable development and improve the living conditions of Benin's populations. The program's success will depend on the effective implementation of its components and the support of all stakeholders involved.
Key points
- The FADeC VI program aims to improve the impact of local investments in Benin's 77 communes.
- The program focuses on providing quality infrastructure, better support to communes, and strengthening social cohesion.
- The initiative is supported by partners, including the German Cooperation through KfW, the European Union, and the Swiss Cooperation.
