Bénin launches historic open government plan
Eighteen months after joining the Open Government Partnership (OGP), Bénin convened a five-day national workshop in Cotonou from July 27 to 31, 2026, to deepen understanding of open governance principles and lay the groundwork for the country’s first National Action Plan.
Bringing stakeholders together for transparent governance
The intensive workshop brought together representatives from public administration, government institutions, civil society, the private sector, technical and financial partners, and the media. Participants engaged in collaborative exercises to align with OGP standards and co-create the framework for Bénin’s upcoming commitments under the partnership.
Government reaffirms commitment to transparency and accountability
At the opening session, Victorin Honvoh, Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Budget and Public Service, framed Bénin’s OGP membership as a natural extension of ongoing national reforms. He emphasized core priorities including budget transparency, citizen participation, anti-corruption measures, and institutional accountability. Honvoh stressed that success hinges on sustained collaboration between government agencies and non-state actors, urging participants to propose actionable initiatives rooted in open governance principles.
Consulting citizens across all departments
Mireille Hortense Codjovi, Director of the Open Budget Hub and National OGP Focal Point, described the workshop as a foundational step ahead of nationwide consultations in all twelve departments of Bénin. These consultations aim to capture local priorities directly from citizens. The feedback collected will be analyzed, prioritized, and integrated into the draft National Action Plan, she explained.
Building on existing progress
Jean-Pierre Degue, Vice President of the OGP Technical Committee, noted that Bénin already boasts significant achievements in budget transparency and civic engagement. The challenge now lies in transforming these strengths into measurable, time-bound commitments within the OGP framework. International expert Gustavo Pérez Ara reinforced this vision during his presentation, outlining the partnership’s three pillars: citizen participation, transparency, and accountability. He highlighted the existing dialogue between administration and civil society as a critical asset for advancing the process.
Led by Chabi Kassim Taba, Advisor to the Court of Auditors, participants examined practical ways to embed open governance principles into public institutions’ daily operations. The workshop’s recommendations, combined with insights from the upcoming departmental consultations, will form the basis of Bénin’s inaugural National Action Plan under the OGP.
