Abstract of documentary film of capitalizing on 20 years of Dutch intervention
in the water sector in Benin
Since 2004, the Netherlands, present in Benin, through its Embassy in Cotonou, has
provided constant and valuable support to Benin's water sector. Dutch Cooperation has
taken place through various programmes such as EAU I, EAU II and EAU III, PDR 1,
Multiannual Water and Sanitation Programme Phase 2, Water Transition Fund,
Programme OmiDelta... which have made it possible to experiment in the water sector
with the sectoral approach, decentralization/deconcentration.
With alignment with the policies, orientations and strategies defined by the Government
of Benin as a guiding principle, cooperation has been strengthened with multi-year
programmes promoting substantial sector budget support for the water sector. Above
all, it has made it possible, beyond the sector, to enable Benin to achieve its vision: "In
the year 2025, Benin's water resources will be exploited and managed by ensuring
equity and social peace, environmental sustainability and economic efficiency; they will
thus contribute effectively to the economic renewal, poverty reduction, and international
influence of Benin".
From drinking water supply in rural and urban areas to IWRM such as hygiene and basic
sanitation without forgetting gender and cross-cutting aspects, cooperation has many
results and especially several achievements.
In Benin, Dutch cooperation is best known for having contributed considerably to almost
doubling the coverage rate from 35% in the 1990s to 69% in 2015 in fifteen years. This
innovative cooperation will have led to institutional capacity-building for all actors at all
levels. A beneficial legacy resulting from the great importance given to capacity building,
which has remained a cross-cutting objective. Support to beneficiary institutions
(Directorates of the Ministry in charge of Water, Regional Directorates, Municipalities,
Agencies, SONEB) has been constant even if it has varied according to the program or
over time. In the field of IWRM adopted by Benin since 1998, bilateral cooperation has
advanced in the appropriation of the concept than in demonstration actions that today
place Benin as one of the flagship countries of the sub-region. For the coming years, the
legal and institutional framework, the National Integrated Water Resources Management
Plan (PANGIRE) and the various tools put in place are important achievements in Benin's
march towards concerted and sustainable management of its water resources.
In terms of gender and consideration of cross-cutting aspects, the diagnosis established
as well as the challenges adopted have led to an improvement in the level of knowledge
of actors at all levels and especially their commitment to pursue the integration that is
essential and useful in Benin's march towards universal access.
The many gains made have been facilitated by various success factors. First, the
Government of Benin has adapted aid to the needs of the population, and is aligned with
national policies and strategies that have evolved over time but always with the
objective of accelerating people's access to good quality water. To this must be added
the harmonization of donor interventions. The Netherlands, as a leader in TFPs having
played an important role for several years, in harmonizing interventions among donors in
the water sector. Finally, it is important to underline that the desire for long-term
commitment has been decisive in ensuring continuity in support for specific sectors and
themes including water for more than 15 years.
At a time when this adventure is evolving, it is essential to remember that the multi-year
strategy that has long characterized cooperation will undergo a change. However, the
Netherlands intends to preserve and consolidate the achievements of the various
programmes in the water sector, particularly with the D2B programme for the
restoration and development of Lake Nokoué and the Porto-Novo lagoon. In addition, it
is planned to expand activities to the north of the country, to meet Benin's demand to
invest more in the border regions and in the youth of these regions to develop future
prospects.