The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved $30.25 million in financing to support Benin’s significant climate protection and agricultural resilience program.
This program is designed to safeguard 150,000 smallholder farmers from the worsening effects of climate change, such as devastating droughts and flash floods.
Climate change has caused severe damage in northern Benin, particularly in the departments of Alibori and Atakora.
These regions have food insecurity rates more than double the national average, and one in four farmers struggles to provide their families with adequate food.
Agriculture employs 70% of Benin’s population, yet farmers are increasingly vulnerable to unstable weather conditions and the impacts of regional instability in the Sahel.
Thanks to this newly approved funding, smallholder farmers will gain access to insurance coverage and risk protection tools expected to strengthen their ability to recover from climate-related shocks.
Robert Masumbuko, African Development Bank Country Representative in Benin, stated: “This investment represents our commitment to strengthening climate resilience in Benin’s agricultural sector while responding to the urgent needs of vulnerable farming communities.
By introducing innovative risk management tools and strengthening local capacities, we are helping farmers adapt to climate change while preventing conflicts and promoting social cohesion in fragile border areas.”
The initiative introduces sovereign insurance via the African Risk Capacity and micro-insurance for smallholder farmers, offering protection against droughts and floods.
These tools are expected to improve farmers’ financial profiles, making it easier for them to access credit and attract investment.
The project also focuses on capacity-building.
It will deploy early warning systems, agrometeorological equipment, and promote climate-smart agriculture techniques.
It targets 30% participation by young people and 30% inclusion of women among the 150,000 direct beneficiaries.
Special attention will also be given to social cohesion, supporting the peaceful integration of displaced persons into local farming communities.
Multiple sources will provide funding, including $20 million from the Transition Support Facility, $5 million from the African Development Fund, $3 million from the ADRiFi multi-donor trust fund, and nearly $2.44 million in counterpart funding from the Beninese government to support insurance premiums.
The program is aligned with Benin’s National Development Plan (2018–2025) and the National Adaptation Plan (2022–2027).
It will be delivered in partnership with the World Food Programme, the World Bank, and bilateral donors including Switzerland and Luxembourg, who are supporting the long-term goal of sustainable agriculture and disaster preparedness in the region.
For smallholder farmers in northern Benin, this funding represents a significant shift towards stability, offering hope for protected harvests, improved incomes, and a better future for their families.
For the state, it enhances financial readiness to respond to climate-related emergencies, ensuring a more resilient and secure agricultural sector.
