## Benin: Selected Issues

_IMF Staff Country Reports, January 5, 2018_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Benin: Selected Issues](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/cr/issues/2018/01/05/benin-selected-issues-45534)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/cr/issues/2018/01/05/benin-selected-issues-45534/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/cr/issues/2018/01/05/benin-selected-issues-45534/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/publications/cr/issues/2018/01/05/benin-selected-issues-45534/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Published: January 5, 2018
- Series: IMF Staff Country Reports
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781484336540.002

---

### Summary and main findings
- This Selected Issues paper analyzes the growth, structural transformation, and export diversification in Benin.
- Although Benin has delivered high economic growth over recent years, it faces critical challenges regarding export diversification and domestic production.
- Benin’s competitiveness is impaired by structural bottlenecks.
- Low and stagnant productivity in the agriculture sector is perhaps a primary cause of the limited poverty reduction in rural areas.

### Challenges identified
- Export diversification is limited.
- Domestic production constraints hinder expansion into new lines of economic activity.
- Structural bottlenecks reduce overall competitiveness.
- Electricity shortages and weaknesses in the business climate constrain private sector development.
- Low and stagnant agricultural productivity contributes to constrained rural poverty reduction.
- Human capital deficiencies limit potential gains from structural transformation.

### Policy recommendations and areas for reform
- Policies to promote structural transformation and diversification should focus on addressing weaknesses that hinder entry into new lines of economic activity.
- Further progress on strengthening the business climate could provide significant benefits.
- Addressing electricity shortages is recommended to support competitiveness and diversification.
- Increasing human capital is recommended to enable structural transformation and productivity gains.

---

## Content in this bundle

- **Country Report**
  - [Country Report (Markdown version)](/-/media/files/publications/cr/2018/cr1802.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"}
  - [Country Report (PDF)](/-/media/files/publications/cr/2018/cr1802.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

---

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/cr/issues/2018/01/05/benin-selected-issues-45534_