Benin Outpaces West African Neighbors in Sustainable Development, Report Finds
Benin has emerged as a leader in sustainable development within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) according to a new report by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). With an overall score of 55.6 out of 100 for all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Benin surpasses the ECOWAS regional average of 53.6.
PH: DR: Benin above average in ECOWAS
The report highlights Benin’s significant strides in several areas. "Over the past eight years, Benin’s SDG index score has increased by an average of 1.1 points year on year," notes the SDSN.
This progress is particularly noticeable in responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) and the fight against climate change (SDG 13).
The report attributes some of Benin’s successes to its dedicated efforts in tackling poverty (SDG 1).
“Improvements in SDG1 (no poverty) can be attributed to the strong reduction in the share of the population living below international poverty lines.”
The report indicates that the proportion of people living on $2.15 a day has dropped dramatically from 42.3% in 2015 to 14.4% in 2024, a remarkable annual decrease of about 11.3%.
Water and sanitation have become a top priority for Benin, with the government investing heavily in these areas using funds raised through Eurobonds. This focus has helped to improve access to clean water and sanitation infrastructure, although challenges remain, particularly in rural communities.
The report emphasizes the need for continued investment, especially in urban and rural water infrastructure, to bridge the gap between urban and rural access.
"In 2022, universal access to drinking water remains unequal: 76.7% in rural areas and 71.8% in urban areas," the report states.
To address these challenges, the report recommends a multi-pronged approach.
"An integrated and targeted approach – including the adoption of ‘Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Mechanism’ for irrigation infrastructure management, along with low-cost linkage policy – is considered essential," the report suggests.
Modernizing public procurement procedures is also crucial to ensure project transparency and efficiency.
As Benin prepares for the upcoming Summit for the Future in September 2024, the country is actively seeking support from international partners to further its sustainable development goals.
With its ambitious targets and demonstrable political commitment, Benin appears well-positioned to achieve the goals set forth in Agenda 2030, especially in the critical areas of water and sanitation. Continued prioritization these issues and strengthening partnerships will be key to accelerating Benin’s transition to a sustainable and inclusive future.
This report serves as a valuable roadmap as Benin prepares for the fourth conference of the United Nations on financing for development, scheduled for June 2025.
