Benin’s education budget reaches 598 billion CFA francs
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on La Nouvelle Tribune
Illustrative image · Katerina Holmes · Pexels · Licence PexelsBenin’s education budget rose from 344 billion CFA francs in 2022 to 598 billion in 2026, according to Minister Armand Kuyema Natta. The increase notably accompanies the expansion of school canteens and free lower-secondary education, at the sector review opened in Cotonou, reports La Nouvelle Tribune.
Benin’s education sector budget rose from 508 billion CFA francs in 2025 to 598 billion in 2026, Minister Armand Kuyema Natta, the lead minister for education, said on Thursday 12 November 2026 during the joint sector review in Cotonou. It stood at 344 billion CFA francs in 2022, according to figures presented by the minister.
The 2026 increase includes the transfer of technical and vocational training to the Ministry of Higher Education. It notably accompanies the expansion of school canteens, which now serve a hot meal to around 1.3 million pupils, the extension of free schooling to the first cycle of secondary education, and the recruitment and continuing training of teachers.
The review, funded by the Weziza Educ programme, is to examine the sector’s results over two days since the government team led by Romuald Wadagni took office. Wilfried Guezodje, Permanent Technical Secretary of the PDDSE, said the work would notably cover the recommendations of the 2025 review, funding, indicators and coordination. Minister Natta called for gaps to be analysed and recommendations prioritised for follow-up in 2027.
The review follows an inspection conducted on 3 October by Minister Armand Kuyema Natta in schools in four Beninese departments. The inspection of schools in four Beninese departments preceded the new assessment of the education system’s functioning.
