On April 17 and 18, 2025, a consultation meeting was held at the Millennium Popo Beach Hotel in Grand-Popo. The event was organized by the ECOWAS Representation to the Republic of Benin, the Ministry of Economy and Finance (ECOWAS National Office in Benin), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Department of Sub-Saharan Africa and African Integration).
The gathering included Honourable Members of the ECOWAS Parliament from Benin, sectoral ministries, representatives from the ECOWAS Representation to Togo, specialized agencies present in Benin, as well as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). The objective was to review ECOWAS projects and programmes in Benin.
The two-day event consisted of an opening session, presentations on completed and ongoing ECOWAS projects in 2024 within Benin, discussions on challenges, recommendations for coordination mechanisms, monitoring and evaluation frameworks for these projects, followed by a closing session.
Keynote speeches were delivered by Ambassador Amadou DIONGUE, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Benin; Honourable Nassirou BAKO ARIFARI, ECOWAS Member of Parliament; Executive Secretary of Grand-Popo Town Hall; and Mr. Faustin GUIDI from the ECOWAS National Office.
During this meeting, over 50 projects supported by ECOWAS were mapped out. Major challenges regarding monitoring and coordination were identified. Participants recommended appointing focal points within ministries to oversee interventions, creating a national directory of projects including implementing NGOs, establishing a coordination framework inspired by UEMOA models, and developing an effective communication strategy around these interventions.
This approach aims to align regional projects with national priorities. It is seen as a potential model for other ECOWAS member states to improve coordination among stakeholders. This model would also allow states greater ownership of Community interventions while providing a platform for policy reform reviews.
The consultation marks a strategic point for Benin and could serve as an example for other Member States to enhance governance and transparency in regional projects.
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