Benin is located in West Africa and has a population of
approximately 8.8 million. The economy of Benin is largely
dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and
regional trade. According to the IMF, Benin is classified as a
least developed country with a GDP per capita of US$1,445. At
the end of the 1980s, Benin underwent a major political crisis.
A massive reorganisation of the State and a decentralisation
process resulted from this crisis. Administrative set up Benin
is divided into 12 departments, and subdivided into 77 communes.
Main sector institutions - The General Directorate of Water (DG
Eau) is the main sector agency, responsible for policy
development, facilitation and regulation. It has provincial
(deconcentrated) offices at Departmental level. - The Société
Nationale des Eaux du Bénin (SONEB) is the National Water
Utility of Benin, and is the main service provider in cities and
towns. - Communes are the level of local government which, since
early 2003 when the process of decentrali