Benin

Benin, in West Africa, occupies approximately 1,930 kilometres between the bordering countries of Nigeria to the east and Togo to the west. Although French is the official language, most people use local ethnic languages. African traditional religions are also deeply rooted in Benin.

Though one of the poorest countries in the world, over the past decade Benin has developed a remarkably stable democracy. Yayi Boni, the country's new leader since early April 2006, intends to focus his attentions on the economy and in particular reform of the cotton sector, the country's major export.

Nevertheless, despite its growth, Benin’s economy is largely underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Recent increased enforcements of Nigerian customs regulations, an unfavourable exchange rate with the Nigerian Naira and difficulties at Benin’s main port in Cotonou have continued to hamper economic progress.

Some of the reasons Plan works in Benin

• 15 in every 100 children die before reaching the age of five
• Nearly a third of children under five years old suffers from stunted growth due to poor nutrition
• Only 54% of young children enrol for primary school
• Over two thirds of the population does not have access to adequate sanitation facilities
• 32% of the population does not have access to an adequate water source