The government of Benin has presented a document outlining the reform of territorial development poles, marking a significant step towards reducing development disparities between communes. The reform, presented by Minister of Decentralization and Local Governance Janvier Yahouédéhou, aims to create growth economic spaces that can valorize specific resources. The document was presented to mayors, prefects, and institutional partners at the Marina Palace on September 23.
The reform focuses on six territorial poles that do not necessarily coincide with current administrative boundaries. These poles are expected to become spaces for economic growth, with a focus on developing productive agriculture, promoting industries, and revealing local tourist potential. Each pole will have a common foundation of infrastructure, qualified human capital, and dynamic small and medium-sized enterprises. The goal is to create jobs and improve living conditions for local populations.
The new organization will have a delegated general for each pole, responsible for coordinating development actions and monitoring project implementation. However, the reform does not create a new hierarchical authority above prefects or mayors. Instead, it relies on coordination, cooperation, and coherence of interventions. Prefects will maintain their missions of representing the state, coordinating deconcentrated services, and administrative tutelage of communes.
The implementation of the reform will be gradual, with the installation of delegated generals and their teams in the fourth quarter. They will engage in consultations with local actors, identify growth drivers, and define priority projects. The elaboration of roadmaps, definition of responsibilities, and mobilization of necessary financing will follow. Each pole will have a dashboard to measure results, with a focus on job creation, economic development, and improved living conditions.
President Romuald Wadagni emphasized the need for local elected officials and state representatives to personally appropriate the reform. He called for a change in behavior, urging mayors and prefects to no longer tolerate practices that hinder territorial development. The president stressed the importance of pedagogy and example-setting, rather than violence or brutalism.
The success of the territorial poles will depend not only on texts, financing, or organizational charts but also on the ability of local officials to evolve practices and act with greater exigency. The reform aims to ensure that the place of residence no longer determines development opportunities. The six poles are now defined, and the principles are set, leaving the task of transforming this architecture into tangible results.
The reform's impact will be evaluated based on indicators such as job creation, development of economic sectors, attractiveness of territories, and improved living conditions. The president's call for a change in behavior and the implementation of the reform's principles will be crucial in achieving these goals. The government's ambition is to create a more equitable development landscape, where every citizen has access to opportunities regardless of their place of residence.
Key points
- The reform aims to reduce development disparities between communes and create growth economic spaces.
- The implementation of the reform will be gradual, with the installation of delegated generals and their teams in the fourth quarter.
- The success of the territorial poles will depend on the ability of local officials to evolve practices and act with greater exigency.
