Benin’s government submits 2025 finance bill to parliament amid economic transformation
Benin’s Council of Ministers, chaired by President Patrice Talon, convened on 18 September 2024, to discuss several key issues, including the submission of the 2025 draft Finance Bill to the National Assembly.
The proposed budget, set at 3.55 trillion CFA francs, reflects an 11% increase from the previous year, aimed at fostering economic resilience and promoting equitable growth.
This budget will focus on diversifying productive sectors, creating added value, and continuing efforts to transform the country’s economy.
Despite the global economic uncertainty caused by climate change and external shocks, the government projects a 6.8% growth rate, driven by improvements in agriculture, industrial expansion, port activities, and tourism.
The government’s commitment to social equity is evident in its allocation of 41.5% of the total budget—1.1 trillion CFA francs—to socially sensitive spending.
This will support various initiatives, including rural school feeding programs, expanded access to clean drinking water, and social safety nets such as the GBESSOKE project and the Alafia microcredit scheme.
Moreover, infrastructure projects like the construction of hospitals, administrative centers, and road networks will continue to boost the country’s socio-economic development.
As Benin prepares for the 2026 general elections, the government has assured stability in tax regulations, with no new taxes or increases in existing rates planned for 2025.
This move is aimed at maintaining a predictable fiscal environment for businesses and investors.
Additionally, the council adopted a decree exempting dialysis kits from customs duties to make treatment more affordable.
New dialysis units in Porto-Novo and Abomey, along with 57 new dialysis machines for existing centers, will help extend healthcare services across the country.
These decisions reflect the government’s continued drive towards sustainable development, aiming to build a stronger economy while addressing the needs of its population.
