Bénin launches its first national open government action plan

Eighteen months after joining the Open Government Partnership (OGP), the Bénin government has concluded a five-day workshop in Cotonou to lay the groundwork for its inaugural National Action Plan. The event, held from July 27 to 31, brought together officials, civil society representatives, private sector delegates, technical and financial partners, and media professionals to deepen their understanding of open governance principles and co-create future commitments.

During the opening session, Victorin Honvoh, Director of the Cabinet at the Ministry of Budget and Public Service, framed the OGP membership as a continuation of ongoing reforms focused on transparency, accountability, access to information, anti-corruption efforts, and citizen participation. He emphasized that sustained success hinges on regular dialogue between government agencies and non-state actors, urging participants to translate these principles into tangible commitments.

Mireille Hortense Codjovi, Director of the Open Budget Unit and National OGP Focal Point, described the workshop as a preparatory phase before nationwide citizen consultations across all twelve Bénin departments. These consultations aim to gather public priorities, which will be analyzed, ranked, and integrated into the draft National Action Plan. She highlighted the inclusive nature of the process and the importance of ensuring citizen voices shape government commitments.

Jean-Pierre Degue, Vice-President of the OGP Technical Committee, underscored that the partnership unites states committed to strengthening public transparency, citizen participation, and institutional accountability. He acknowledged Bénin’s existing progress in budget transparency and civic engagement but stressed the need to convert these achievements into measurable commitments under the OGP framework. International governance expert Gustavo Pérez Ara reinforced this point, outlining the OGP’s three core pillars: citizen participation, transparency, and accountability. He praised the existing dialogue between administration and civil society as a solid foundation for future progress.

The workshop, chaired by Chabi Kassim Taba, Advisor to the Audit Court, provided a platform for participants to explore strategies for embedding open governance principles into public institutions’ daily operations. Recommendations from the event, combined with input from departmental consultations, will serve as the foundation for drafting Bénin’s first National OGP Action Plan.

The initiative is supported by key partners including the PAGOF2 program from Expertise France, GIZ, Swiss Cooperation, UNICEF, and the European Union, reflecting a collaborative approach to advancing governance reform in the country.

Key priorities for open governance in Bénin

• Transparency: Strengthening access to public information and decision-making processes
• Accountability: Ensuring government actions are measurable and responsive to public needs
• Citizen participation: Creating structured opportunities for public input in policy development
• Anti-corruption: Implementing mechanisms to prevent and address corrupt practices in public service
• Institutional reform: Integrating open governance principles into public sector operations

Next steps: From consultation to action

The upcoming phase involves nationwide consultations in all twelve departments to collect citizen priorities. These inputs will be synthesized and prioritized before being incorporated into the final draft of the National Action Plan. The government has committed to ensuring the process remains inclusive and responsive to the needs of Bénin’s population.

Building on existing progress

Bénin’s participation in the OGP builds on reforms already underway, particularly in budget transparency and civic engagement. The challenge now lies in converting these gains into formal commitments that align with international standards while addressing the country’s specific governance challenges.