In recent years, Benin has established a range of instruments to support employment and social protection, including agencies for employment, small and medium-sized enterprises, and investment. However, despite these efforts, many young people and vulnerable households continue to face challenges in accessing these programs. A recent example highlights the issue, where a 34-year-old entrepreneur, Kokou, was unable to secure funding for his business despite having a viable product and a firm order from a client.
The Beninese government has implemented various initiatives to support young entrepreneurs, including the Adpme agency, which provides support to small and medium-sized enterprises. However, the agency's criteria for funding can be restrictive, and not all entrepreneurs meet the requirements. In Kokou's case, the Adpme agency informed him that it did not finance spontaneous projects, leaving him without access to funding. This experience raises questions about the effectiveness of the current system and the need for better coordination between different programs and agencies.
According to Albert Honlonkou, a key issue is that Benin's system resembles a train station where multiple trains depart on schedule, but without a clear timetable or control system to guide passengers. As a result, many young people and vulnerable households struggle to navigate the system and access the support they need. Honlonkou argues that the problem is not a lack of programs or funding but rather a lack of effective coordination and communication between different agencies and programs.
To address this issue, Honlonkou suggests that the government needs to create a clear and comprehensive map of the various programs and services available to support employment and social welfare. This map should be easily accessible to the public, particularly young people and vulnerable households, to help them navigate the system and access the support they need. However, creating such a map has proven challenging, even for experts, due to the complexity and fragmentation of the current system.
The current system has multiple networks of local employment promotion units, social protection desks, and focal points for small and medium-sized enterprises, but these networks often operate in isolation. There are also multiple funding options for small income-generating activities, each with different eligibility criteria and funding amounts. As a result, many individuals, such as Akouavi, a 24-year-old mother of one, face challenges in accessing the support they need due to the complexity of the system.
Akouavi's case illustrates the challenges faced by many individuals in Benin. She is eligible for multiple programs, including transfers from Gbèssoké, a microcredit from Alafia, and support from Azôli. However, she must navigate multiple agencies and programs, which can be confusing and overwhelming. Similarly, Sèdjro, a 27-year-old with a degree in maintenance, faces challenges in accessing support for his project to establish a motorcycle repair workshop.
To address these challenges, the government needs to develop a more effective coordination system that brings together different agencies and programs. This system should provide clear guidance and support to individuals and businesses, ensuring that they can access the resources they need to succeed. By doing so, Benin can unlock the full potential of its employment and social welfare programs and provide more effective support to young people and vulnerable households.
Key points
- The Beninese government needs to develop a clear and comprehensive map of the various programs and services available to support employment and social welfare.
- The current system lacks effective coordination and communication between different agencies and programs.
- The government should establish a more effective coordination system to bring together different agencies and programs and provide clear guidance and support to individuals and businesses.
