Structured and inclusive dialogue between local authorities and the private sector is an essential driver of territorial economic development.
This belief lies at the heart of our IYBA SEED project. Since its launch, IYBA-SEED Benin has been supporting local communities in establishing concrete mechanisms for consultation between local elected officials, economic actors, and institutional partners, aiming to make public-private dialogue a genuine tool for local economic governance.
Local Public-Private Dialogue and Partnership meetings (RL-DPPP)
Launched in 2025 in 14 municipalities, the Local Public-Private Dialogue and Partnership Meetings (RL-DPPP) have proven their relevance: identifying constraints to local economic development, formulating concrete solutions, and strengthening the commitment of both private actors and local communities. Given the impact of these meetings, the partners have decided to extend this initiative to 24 local authorities by 2026.
A preparatory seminar for the wew phase in Bohicon
To prepare for this new phase, IYBA-SEED Benin gathered in Bohicon on June 10-11, 2026, the municipal authorities of the 24 municipalities.
The seminar brought together mayors, executive secretaries (SE), and directors of local development and planning (DDLP), alongside key institutional partners: the Benin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI Benin), the National Association of Municipalities of Benin (ANCB), Renej-Benin, APIEx Benin, ADPME Benin, the General Directorate of Taxes (DGI), the Directorate of Territorial Collectivities (DCT) of the Ministry of Decentralisation and Local Governance (MDGL), as well as the Business Climate Unit (CCA) of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF).
The involvement of all these stakeholders enriched the quality and scope of the discussions.
When local elected officials, institutions, and the private sector speak the same language, the entire territory moves forward!
Two days of strategic discussions
Over two days, discussions focused on:
- The 2025 RL-DPPP review;
- Public-private partnerships;
- Presentation of V3E initiatives by ReNEJ, CLEE and CLIDE, supported by the project;
- An innovative mechanism for regional business financing, presented by SENS Benin;
- The implementation of integration frameworks;
- The use of the Land Code to promote investment and entrepreneurship.
A roadmap for 2026
At the end of the two-day event, an operational roadmap was adopted for the harmonised implementation of the 2026 RL-DPPPs across the 24 municipalities, setting out clear commitments and well-defined roles for each stakeholder. The sustainability of these meetings and the coverage of their costs by the municipalities were central to the discussions, to ensure that this momentum continues over the long term.
One of the key objectives of IYBA-SEED is precisely to ensure that local authorities take on long-term responsibility for organising these meetings and provide the funding themselves. This is why the project provides support rather than acting as a substitute.
It is the national stakeholders and local authorities who lead the organisation of these RL-DPPPs, thereby laying the foundations for a public-private dialogue rooted in the local areas, well beyond the duration of the project.
