Benin: Technical Assistance Report-Governance Diagnostic

IMF Staff Country Reports, June 2, 2023

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Current President of the Republic Patrice Talon has repeatedly stressed the major importance of good governance for the country’s future and has made it a strong focus of his second term.
The Governance Diagnostic identifies both very positive developments in recent or ongoing reforms and remaining governance weaknesses that need to be addressed.

Rule of law, contract execution, and protection of property rights have seen some progress.
Planned judicial and institutional additions identified as welcome:
- Creation of a court specializing in land matters.
- Establishment of a Commercial Court of Appeal.
Public financial management (PFM) has seen considerable progress, recognized in particular by the Open Budget Survey 2021.
Remaining governance weaknesses and reform needs:
- Efforts are required to reap all the benefits of the transition to program-based budgeting with respect to the administration’s accountability.
- Finalization of the internal audit and control reform is needed as an essential counterweight to the new responsibilities entrusted to managers.

Continue judicial reforms to strengthen rule of law, contract execution, and property rights protection, including prioritizing the establishment of specialized land and commercial appellate courts.
Consolidate PFM gains by:
- Completing the transition to program-based budgeting and ensuring it enhances administrative accountability.
- Finalizing internal audit and control reforms to provide effective oversight corresponding to expanded managerial responsibilities.

Subjects: Anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), Corruption, Crime, Customs administration core functions, Internal audit, International organization, Monetary policy, Public financial management (PFM), Revenue administration
Keywords: Africa, Anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), computer system, Corruption, Customs administration core functions, Customs governance system, governance diagnostic, IMF department, IMF executive director, IMF Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF legal department, IMF Monetary, IMF resident representative, IMF's assistance, Internal audit, investment incentive regime, public finance, West Africa

Source: Benin: Technical Assistance Report-Governance Diagnostic, IMF Staff Country Reports 2023, Country Report No. 2023/191.