The city of Cotonou in Benin is hosting its first Open Days of the Mayor's Office, an initiative aimed at promoting transparency and citizen engagement. The event was officially launched on October 26, 2026, by Arlette Saïzonou, the first deputy mayor, during a press conference at the city hall. The three-day event, taking place from October 28-30, invites citizens to discover municipal services, ask questions, and express concerns.
The Open Days initiative seeks to establish a more direct dialogue between the municipality and the inhabitants of Cotonou, the economic capital of Benin. According to Arlette Saïzonou, the goal is to make the administration more accessible, transparent, and responsive to the population. The event is part of a broader effort to improve citizen engagement and promote good governance in the city.
The Open Days event is a response to the authorities' observation that citizens often lack sufficient knowledge of their municipal services and rights. The initiative aims to bridge this gap by bringing citizens closer to municipal officials and arrondissement leaders. This proximity is expected to enable citizens to better understand their rights and obligations, particularly regarding the payment of dues.
The activities will take place at the city hall, Radio Cotonou, and in the 13 arrondissements of the commune. The event is designed to reach different categories of the population, including young people, traders, artisans, women, and entrepreneurs. Citizens are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to discover municipal services, ask questions, and make proposals.
The Open Days initiative is part of the 2026-2033 mandate project, which aims to make Cotonou a "green, resilient, inclusive, productive, attractive, and well-governed" metropolis. The municipality's goal is to improve the quality of life, support the local economy, facilitate transportation, and develop municipal services. The initiative is a key step towards achieving these objectives.
Arlette Saïzonou has called on citizens to participate actively in the event and contribute to the transformation of the city. She emphasized that the city's development cannot be achieved without the involvement of its inhabitants. The 2030 horizon, which marks the bicentennial of Cotonou's founding, is an important milestone in this ambition.
The Open Days event is expected to contribute to the city's development by promoting citizen engagement, transparency, and good governance. The municipality aims to make Cotonou a better place to live, with perceptible improvements in neighborhoods and daily life. The event is a step towards achieving this goal, and citizens are encouraged to participate and contribute to the city's development.
Key points
- The Open Days event aims to promote transparency and citizen engagement in Cotonou.
