Invest International provides a Grant of 30 million euros and a loan to Société Nationale des Eaux du Bénin (SONEB), Benin, for the construction of drinking water infrastructure in six towns in the north of Benin, giving access to clean and safe drinking water for at least 270.000 people.
The six towns are: Natitingou, Toucountouna, Copargo, Karimama, Gogounou and Cobly. The competent authority is SONEB, who’s in charge of urban drinking water supply in Benin.
This project contributes to: SDG 6, SDG 8, SDG 9 and SDG 17.
On Tuesday October 4 2022 Invest International signed three agreements with the Government of Benin, represented by the Minister of Economy and Finance of Benin, Romuald Wadagni, left on the picture next to CEO of Invest International Joost Oorthuizen. Photo © Guus Schoonewille / ANP.
The intended Contonou-project focuses on the development and improvement of the artisanal fishing harbour within the new harbour area of Cotonou. Expecting to offer broader opportunities for fishermen and fishmongers, who will notably see an increase in their income and better living wages standards and which will grant access to a wider range of social and professional services. The new port will set new standards on hygiene and improve access to fresh fish for the local population.
The agriculture and fisheries sector is identified as a key sector, tackling both food insecurity and unemployment in South Benin. The artisanal fishery sector in Benin directly employs around 4,300 people and is a major driving force to address public health and nutrition, but also contributes to wider economic spin-offs. More than 50 percent of the 35,000 tonnes of annual catches (2019) in Benin are handled in Cotonou, the only built facility in the country for landing fish catches.
The project is coordinated by the Port Autonome de Cotonou (PAC), in collaboration with the Government of Benin. Invest International has granted 600,000 euros for necessary studies before procurement of the contractor and will provide a grant of 30 million euros and a loan of 30 million euros for construction of the facilities – pending on the outcome of the studies.
This project contributes to: SDG 1, SDG 8 and SDG 13.
Aerial view of Porto-Novo, the capital of Benin. The focus of the Lake Nokoué project is on creating favorable environmental conditions to the development of the region of Lake Nokoué and the Lagoon of Porto-Novo, known as Grand Nokoué. Photo: Unsplash/Yanick Folly.
The focus of the Lake Nokoué project is on creating favorable environmental conditions to the development of the region of Lake Nokoué and the Lagoon of Porto-Novo, known as Grand Nokoué. The project will be executed by Royal HaskoningDHV in collaboration with Agence pour le Développement ADELAC in Benin, Institut National de l’Eau (INE-UAC) and Ministry of Environment, Housing and Urbanization (MCVDD).
The area has an estimated population of three million people and contributes nearly to 60 percent of the GDP of the urban setting in Benin. The sustainability of this region is essential for the socio-economic development of the country. The population living in the perimeter of Lake Nokoué and its surroundings, who earn their living more or less directly from the exploitation of this lake, is estimated to be more than 100,000 inhabitants.
For this project Invest International finances the feasibility study and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), through the Develop2Build program. After the D2B phase, Invest International will finance a selected project at a value of maximum 60 million euros (50 percent grant and 50 percent loan- these conditions are pending of the outcome of the studies).
This project contributes to: SDG 1, SDG 6, SDG 8 and SDG 13.