This Thursday, May 20, 2021 was held at Sèmè One the ceremony of confirmation of the signing of financing contracts relating to projects “Rainwater sanitation in the cities of Benin” and “health response against Covid-19 ”. It was face-to-face with three members of the Beninese government, the Ambassador, Head of the EU Delegation then by videoconference (via Zoom) with the Bank’s Director of International Operations European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Head of Unit West Africa of the Directorate-General for International Partnerships of the European Commission.

72.1 billion FCFA for the Sanitation Project rainwater from cities in Benin and FCFA 19.6 billion in support of the strategy health response to the Covid-19 crisis. In total 91.7 or around 140 million euros allocated by the EIB. The agreements for this financing have been signed between the two parties represented by Maria SHAW-BARRAGAN Director of the EIB’s international operations and Romuald WADAGNI Minister of the Economy and Finance of Benin; under the follow-up of the Commission European represented by the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Benin Sylvia HARTLEIF.

The Minister of Living Environment and Sustainable Development José TONATO specified that the support for the Urban Stormwater Sanitation Project of Benin will contribute to the viability of economic regions and zones of strong human concentration, through the improvement of the system rainwater treatment in eight secondary towns: Porto Novo, Abomey-Calavi, Sème Podji, Ouidah, Abomey, Bohicon, Parakou and Natitingou.

For his part, the Minister of Health Benjamin HOUNKPATIN has underlined that the contribution to the response against Covid-19 is a support to emergency response to the health crisis and then allow interventions medium-term pandemic preparedness.

“These signature confirmations mark a historic partnership between Benin and the EIB ”suggested the Director of International Operations of the bank which pledged the support of its institution to the efforts of development of Benin. According to Francesca Di MAURO the Head of Unit West Africa of the General Directorate of International Partnerships the European Commission and the Head of Delegation of the European Union to Benin, Europe remains available to support development initiatives from Benin.

On behalf of the Beninese government, the Minister of the Economy and Finance Romuald WADAGNI has made a commitment to use in good management of these resources while hoping for further support for Benin.