Benin

On February 22, 2006 the MCC signed a 5 year, $307 million Compact with Benin. The Compact will focus on port rehabilitation, access to land, financial services, and access to justice.

MCA Status

The MCC signed a 5 year, $307 million Compact with Benin on February 22, 2006. The compact will focus on improving physical and institutional infrastructure in the areas of access to land, financial services, justice, and markets.

 

Country Compact

Benin Compact Summary (pdf)
Benin Compact Factsheet
Benin's compact  (pdf)

Benin's Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) focuses on developing human capital, managing environmental resources, improving governance, and promoting the sustainable employment and economic and political participation of the poor. The PRSP also recognizes the role of the government in creating a stable macroeconomic environment and providing infrastructure.

Benin's PRSP (PDF)
Joint Staff Assessment (JSA) of the PRSP (PDF)
Joint Staff Advisory Note (JSAN) of Benin's Progress Report (PDF)

 

 

Country Eligibility

In the FY 2008 selection process, Benin scored above the median on five of six "ruling justly" indicators-- failing the hard corruption hurdle--two of five "investing in people" indicators, and three of six "economic freedom" indicator. Benin was again selected as eligible in FY 2008 despite failing corruption.

Benin’s performance (pdf) on the FY 2008 selection indicators

Review Benin’s performance (pdf) on the FY 2007 selection indicators

Review Benin's performance (pdf) on the FY 2006 selection indicators

Learn more about the MCC's country selection process

 

Country Facts

Data are for 2006 (or most recent year available)

Per capita income (GNI, current US$)	$540
Poverty rate ($2 a day)	74%
Average economic growth, 1996-2005	4.7%
Population	8,693,272
Percent population rural	60%
Life expectancy	55 yrs
Literacy Rate	35%

Source: World Development Indicators 2007

Benin at a Glance from the World Bank (PDF)

 

Other U.S. Policies

Development Assistance In FY 2006 USAID requested over $14 million for aid to Benin, with just over $3 million for PL 480 Title II (Emergency and Development Food Assistance) and the rest split between Development Assistance and Child Survival and Health Programs.

Review the USAID strategy in Benin

Trade The U.S. imported just $1.5 million in goods from Benin in 2004. Benin did not receive preferential access on over 85% of the mix of agricultural products and light manufactures that entered the U.S.

See a spreadsheet of U.S. imports from Benin

Country report from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

 

Other Donors

The top three donors to Benin in 2005 were:

Donor	ODA/OA* Disbursement 2005 (net $ US millions)
World Bank IDA	42.92
France	42.86
European Community	37.83

Source: Development Assistance Committee Database
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
*ODA/OA is Official Development Assistance and Overseas Aid
www.oecd.org/dac/stats/idsonline

 

World Bank Involvement

As of August 2006 the World Bank is financing seven projects in Benin with a total commitment of $232.4 million. The projects support economic reforms, investment in human development, infrastructure, rural development, and the environment.

World Bank projects in Benin

 

Other Resources

MCC Benin web page

Compendium of food and agriculture indicators from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)- (PDF)

Department of State country profile providing background on Benin’s history and U.S.-Benin relations