Beninese President Patrice Talon has inspected the construction site of the country’s new National Assembly headquarters in Porto-Novo, a flagship project of his administration that has been underway since 2021.
The head of state, accompanied by National Assembly President Louis Vlavonou, visited the site on September 23 to assess the progress of a building that has become an emblem of his government’s development agenda.
During the tour, Mr Talon underscored the importance of ensuring harmony between the structure and its immediate environment. He stressed that the external layout should be consistent with the architecture of the parliament itself.
Jacques Ayadji, Minister Counselor for Infrastructure, placed the overall cost of the project at 78 billion CFA francs.
The development has been divided into several phases.
The first stage, dedicated to structural works, was completed in 2023 with an expenditure of 27 billion CFA francs. The second, focused on finishing works and handled by a new contractor, carries a budget of 29 billion CFA francs.
As of May 21, 2025, that phase had reached a physical completion rate of 64% and a financial execution rate of 46%.
A third element, described as “intellectual work,” required an additional three billion CFA francs. By June 3, 2025, the cumulative costs across all phases amounted to 59 billion, while a fourth and final stage remains scheduled for completion.
Following the visit, Mr Vlavonou praised the symbolic weight of the project. Writing on his Facebook page, he said: “I had the honor of accompanying the President of the Republic (…) to the construction site of the new headquarters of the National Assembly,” adding that the new building “embodies the modernization and vitality of our democracy.”
He further commended President Talon’s attention to architectural detail, insisting that the future seat of parliament is not only a functional space but also a symbol of grandeur and dignity for the Beninese legislature. Once complete, the complex is expected to serve as a landmark in Porto-Novo and a lasting testimony to the country’s democratic heritage.
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