The government of Benin is set to receive a €118.6 million (US$120.9 million) loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to implement a project to improve the supply of potable water in rural areas across the country.

The Drinking Water Supply for Resilience in Rural Areas Programme (PROSER MR) aims to supply drinking water to 969,500 people and improve access to a sustainable source of  quality drinking water at a lower cost.

The scope of work includes installing 130 high flow-rate boreholes and pumping stations for a cumulative flow of 3,100 cubic metres an hour; 1,440 drinking water fountains and 40 water towers with a combined volume of 14,650 cubic metres; 2,200km of pipeline networks for backstreaming and distribution; and 2,000km of pipeline to connect 20,000 households.

The project’s target area covers 40 rural districts in 24 communes across 10 departments of Benin, namely Alibori, Atacora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Couffo, Donga, Mono,
Oueme and Plateau.

The PROSER MR initiative will include preparatory work for the implementation of the programme and support for technical sustainability; project management for the monitoring and control of the work to construct the boreholes; and completion of detailed preliminary design studies including environmental and social impact studies and preparation of tender documents.

In addition, it will finance technical studies for the identification of catchment areas and solutions for the protection and securing of catchment fields and recharge areas for drinking water supply systems (AEP) and the construction of primary works for the protection of these fields and areas.

Moreover, the programme will cover partial project management for the monitoring and control of construction work on the drinking water supply systems and acceleration of service delivery.

The National Agency for Drinking Water Supply in Rural Areas (ANAEPMR) is the project implementing agency.

The PROSER MR initiative has a total estimated cost of US$200 million and is being supported by the AfDB and the Africa Growing Together Fund (AGTF), a joint financing fund created by the AfDB and the People’s Bank of China, along with the West African Development Bank (BOAD).

Overall access to drinking water was estimated at around 72% in 2023. The government is looking to achieve universal access by 2026.

Photo: Drinking water supply system in Benin (Source: Facebook @ Beninese water ministry)