Introduction

Benin was one of the first countries in the region with environmental codes that contained E(S)IA provisions. The decree of 2001 firstly defined the ESIA procedures and introduced SEA in the legislation. The Agence Béninoise pour l’Environnement (ABE), the current ESIA agency, had been established even earlier. A rather complete body of legal texts and manuals was in place, and ESIA (for private sector investments) became a widely accepted practice. Around 2010, however, the ESIA system was losing strength: funding for ABE decreased, while simultaneously political leadership seemed to have lost its attention for ESIA.

In May 2015, the Council of Ministers of Benin approved an updated Decree on Environmental Assessment. In 2017, a renewed decree on Environmental Assessment procedures was published. 

 

 


News

NCEA Flash Benin: Lake Nokoué

Webpages | 14-11-2024

NCEA Flash Benin: Lake Nokoué

Watch our short video on Lake Nokoué.

NCEA welcomes two new colleagues

Webpages | 19-09-2023

NCEA welcomes two new colleagues

This month, NCEA welcomed two new colleagues: Joëlle (Project Assistant) and Landry (Technical Secretary). Here we will introduce them to you.

Workshop on ESIA for mine closure in West-Africa

Webpages | 31-08-2023

Workshop on ESIA for mine closure in West-Africa

While new mines are being explored in West Africa, exploitation of other mines is coming to an end. This comes with many challenges and opportunities.…

Benin: a shared vision for Lac Nokoué

Webpages | 07-07-2023

Benin: a shared vision for Lac Nokoué

“The NCEA’s neutrality was a great asset during our meeting!” At the end of June, the NCEA facilitated a meeting that brought the Lac Nokoué…

New Environmental and Social Assessment decree - Benin

Webpages | 13-12-2022

New Environmental and Social Assessment decree - Benin

For environmental and social assessment to be effective, it must be regularly evaluated and improved.

MoU with the Volta Basin Authority

Webpages | 08-12-2022

MoU with the Volta Basin Authority

The NCEA continues to expand its activities with regional partners. In November, we signed an MoU with the Volta Basin Authority (VBA).

Coaching of SEA underway - Lac Nokoué, Benin

Webpages | 14-02-2022

Coaching of SEA underway - Lac Nokoué, Benin

The NCEA visited Benin as part of the coaching of the SEA for the Lac Nokoué Rehabilitation Plan. Currently, the SEA is in its scoping phase.

Coaching SEA for Lake Nokoué - Benin

Webpages | 16-12-2021

Coaching SEA for Lake Nokoué - Benin

“We want projects of high quality, and we want processes that are well-managed” the Minister of Living Environment and Sustainable Development, Mr.…

Environmental assessment for coastal protection - West Africa

Webpages | 23-06-2021

Environmental assessment for coastal protection - West Africa

As part of the World Bank’s West Africa Coastal Areas programme (WACA), the WACA-team organised a workshop on the importance of Environmental…

Publication on EA and landscape management also in French and Spanish

Webpages | 01-03-2021

Publication on EA and landscape management also in French and Spanish

Our recent publication with ten cases on ESIA and SEA in landscape management is now also available in French and Spanish.  Shared Resources,…

Publication: 10 cases of the SRJS programme!

Webpages | 26-11-2020

Publication: 10 cases of the SRJS programme!

In a new publication, the NCEA together with SRJS presents an overview of ten cases on ESIA and SEA in landscape management, from ten countries across…

Harmonisation Environmental Assessment systems in West Africa

Webpages | 27-08-2019

Harmonisation Environmental Assessment systems in West Africa

The NCEA organises on Sept. 11, a joint session on harmonisation of environmental assessment systems in West Africa

Two new colleagues!

Webpages | 11-06-2018

Two new colleagues!

Two new colleagues!

ESIA for deep sea port in Benin

Webpages | 20-12-2016

ESIA for deep sea port in Benin

In November 2016, the Beninese Environment Agency organised an inter-ministerial meeting to discuss the ESIA that would permit the development of a new…

MoU for cooperation programme Benin

Webpages | 02-11-2016

MoU for cooperation programme Benin

A new cooperation programme for capacity development and independent review of environmental assessments has been started in Benin. In September 2016,…

Advisory review: ESIA for Sèmè-Podji port, Benin

Webpages | 02-05-2016

Advisory review: ESIA for Sèmè-Podji port, Benin

The NCEA reviewed the ESIA for the construction of the Sèmè-Podji deep sea port in Benin. In its advice, it concludes that the ESIA meets…

EIA for deep sea port in Benin

Webpages | 09-06-2015

EIA for deep sea port in Benin

In June 2015, an NCEA working group visited Benin to advise about the scope for an EIA for a deep sea port. The port will be located 10 km east of…

Benin’s Council of Ministers accepts new Environmental Assessment Decree

Webpages | 09-06-2015

Benin’s Council of Ministers accepts new Environmental Assessment Decree

On 24 May 2015, the Council of Ministers of Benin has accepted a proposal for a new Decree on Environmental Assessment. The proposal offers a coherent…

Multi-annual cooperation with EIA agency Benin

Webpages | 02-04-2015

Multi-annual cooperation with EIA agency Benin

On March 20, 2015, the NCEA and the EIA agency of Benin (ABE) signed an aide-mémoire. This is the first step towards a three-year cooperation…

Better safety measures for transboundary Adjarala dam

Webpages | 04-11-2014

Better safety measures for transboundary Adjarala dam

The NCEA reviewed the ESIA for a hydro-electric dam that is planned at Adjarala, at the border between Benin and Togo. The development of the dam is…

standaard foto

Webpages | 05-06-2014

NCEA on TV news show in Benin

Mr. Sibout Nooteboom of the NCEA was a guest on the morning news show on the environment in Benin. The news show starts with a short overview of EIA…

standaard foto

Webpages | 11-02-2014

Advisory report EIA oil production Benin

The NCEA, upon request by the Beninese Environmental Agency (ABE), reviewed the draft EIA report for the development of oil production by the…

standaard foto

Webpages | 11-02-2014

EIA mapping in Benin, interesting results

Cotonou,Benin. The NCEA, together with the Beninese Environmental Agency’s and the Beninese Association for Environmental Assessment…

standaard foto

Webpages | 09-12-2013

Results of the EIA mapping workshops in West African countries

Conakry, 5-6 December 2013. The West African Association of Environmental Assessment organised a regional workshop to discuss strengths and…