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The briefing examines the strained bilateral relationship between Benin and Niger following Niger's 2023 coup and the subsequent withdrawal of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) from ECOWAS. It highlights how the election of Romuald Wadagni in Benin on 12 April 2026 offers a window for de-escalation, as both nations face economic losses and rising insecurity. The author suggests that the African Union, specifically through the AU Mission for Mali and the Sahel, is best positioned to facilitate a formal reset based on mutual territorial assurances to overcome mistrust and security gaps in the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex.

The report documents a dramatic increase in kidnappings in northern Benin, particularly in the Atacora and Alibori departments, driven primarily by Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM). Unlike criminal kidnappings for ransom, VEO-led abductions are strategic tools used for forced recruitment, intelligence gathering, punishment of collaborators, and the intimidation of local leaders to displace state influence. The study highlights the role of national parks (Pendjari and Park W) as hideouts and recruitment hubs, and recommends the development of defector protection and amnesty programmes, infrastructure improvements, and restored diplomatic cooperation with Niger and Nigeria to counter the threat.

The report analyzes the surge of kidnappings in northern Benin since 2021, identifying them as a strategic instrument used by violent extremist organisations (VEOs) like JNIM to infiltrate new territories. It distinguishes between VEO-led kidnappings—used for forced recruitment, intelligence gathering, punishment, and intimidation—and criminal kidnappings for ransom, which are more common in southern regions and linked to actors in Nigeria. The document highlights the role of national parks as hideouts and hubs for illicit economies, and recommends protection programs for defectors, amnesty, and improved local infrastructure to enhance community resilience.

The LoCAL Benin project is a scaling-up of a pilot initiative designed to empower 25 local governments in four vulnerable departments (Atacora, Alibori, Donga, and Mono) to implement climate-resilient investments. The programme addresses institutional, technical, and financial barriers by providing capacity building, technical assistance, and Performance-Based Climate Resilience Grants (PBCRG). These grants, totaling approximately USD 6.48 million, will fund roughly 110 small-scale investments in sectors such as climate-adapted agriculture, water management, and coastal protection. The project targets 2.68 million total beneficiaries, with a strong focus on women and the most vulnerable populations, to integrate climate resilience into local development planning and budgeting.

The report identifies deep-seated patriarchal norms in Benin that limit women's access to land, education, and financial resources, thereby increasing their vulnerability to climate change. It notes that while Benin has a strong legal framework for gender equality, climate-specific policies often lack gender integration. The LoCAL programme aims to address these gaps by mainstreaming gender in local governance and using the Women Economic Empowerment Index (WEEI) to prioritize resilient investments in four specific departments.

GDS International is implementing a solar mini-grid project in Benin with a capacity of 1.7 to 3 MW to address rural energy poverty. The project, costing less than 10 million EUR and partially funded by the Off-Grid Clean Energy Facility (OCEF), aims to serve up to 6,000 households and 2,400 productive activities over 20 years while promoting local economic development and gender-inclusive employment.

The report analyzes the intersection of gender and climate change adaptation in Benin, highlighting how patriarchal land tenure and social roles increase women's vulnerability. It identifies institutional gaps in the current NAP process and provides specific recommendations for gender-responsive adaptation in agriculture, water, health, and other priority sectors.