The President of Benin, Romuald Wadagni, has secured a $52.1 billion financing agreement with the French Development Agency to improve access to electricity in the country. The agreement was signed in Paris on October 5, 2026. The project, known as the Rural Electricity Network Extension and Densification Project (PEDER+), aims to provide electricity to over 120,000 new households and improve the electricity supply in 750 localities.
The financing package includes a $32.8 billion loan from the French Development Agency and a $19.3 billion grant from the European Union. The project will focus on 15 communes in the Mono, Couffo, and Borgou departments. These communes include Athiémé, Bopa, Comè, Grand-Popo, Houéyogbé, Lokossa, Aplahoué, Djakotomey, Dogbo, Klouékanmè, Lalo, Toviklin, N’Dali, Parakou, and Tchaourou.
The PEDER+ project aims to improve the quality and reliability of electricity in Benin, reduce technical and commercial losses on the network of the Société béninoise d’énergie électrique (SBEE), and accelerate the country's progress towards universal access to electricity by 2030. The project is part of the government's efforts to address the disparities in access to electricity, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas.
The project is a continuation of the previous PEDER project, which also focused on extending and densifying the electricity network in Benin. The new financing will enable the government to accelerate the expansion of electricity services to more households and businesses. The project is also aligned with the Mission 300 initiative, which aims to accelerate access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa.
The lack of access to electricity is a significant challenge in Benin, particularly in rural areas. The government's efforts to improve access to electricity are expected to have a positive impact on the economy, education, healthcare, and overall quality of life. The PEDER+ project is expected to create new opportunities for economic growth and development in the country.
President Wadagni's visit to France was aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between Benin and France. The financing agreement is a significant achievement in this regard. The two countries have a long-standing relationship, and the agreement demonstrates their commitment to working together to promote economic development and improve living standards in Benin.
The PEDER+ project is expected to be completed in the coming years, and its impact will be closely monitored. The government has expressed its commitment to ensuring that the project is implemented effectively and efficiently. The project's success will depend on the effective implementation of the project and the government's ability to maintain and expand the electricity network in the long term.
Key points
- The Benin government has secured $52.1 billion in funding to provide electricity to over 120,000 new households and improve the electricity supply in 750 localities.
- The project aims to improve the quality and reliability of electricity in Benin, reduce technical and commercial losses, and accelerate the country's progress towards universal access to electricity by 2030.
- The PEDER+ project is part of the government's efforts to address the disparities in access to electricity, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas.
