The opening session, held on Tuesday, was chaired by Djibril Mama Cissé, the Minister in charge of Interior and Public Security. Discussions primarily focused on presenting the consolidated report detailing the ministry’s financial execution up to June 30, 2026, along with a thorough review of the public procurement plan’s implementation report.

The ongoing deliberations involve program managers, principal leaders from various ministry departments, and all personnel engaged in the expenditure chain. Their agenda includes evaluating the execution status of initiatives outlined in the 2026 Annual Work Plan (PTA) and assessing the outcomes achieved against the objectives and indicators set for the first half of the year.

Participants are also tasked with meticulously analyzing any variances between projected forecasts and actual accomplishments. Furthermore, they will delve into the constraints that have impacted activity implementation and collaboratively define strategic actions to enhance performance during the final six months of the current fiscal period.

An integrated review for budgetary steering

In his address, Minister Djibril Mama Cissé underscored the significance of this mid-term review, characterizing it as a vital instrument for steering public action. He emphasized that this exercise is crucial for measuring progress, pinpointing obstacles hindering objective attainment, and collectively agreeing upon necessary adjustments to the ministry’s operations.

The Minister also stressed the imperative for the administration to maintain a steadfast focus on performance, efficiency, and tangible results. This commitment is particularly vital given the escalating expectations from citizens regarding public governance and overall security within Bénin.

Abdel Nasser Samary, the Director of Planning, Administration, and Finance for the ministry, clarified that this review is an integral part of the ongoing process to update the department’s medium-term expenditure framework. This ensures that budgetary planning remains agile and responsive to evolving needs.

Discussions are slated to continue until August 6, encompassing a series of presentations on program-based management and detailed execution reports. Attendees will also scrutinize the new decree outlining the ministry’s responsibilities, organization, and operational procedures, as well as texts pertaining to recently established structures.