Political Risk:
Moderate
Score:
52/100
1
58/100
Is there formal provision for effective and independent legislative scrutiny of defence policy?
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Article 98 of the Beninese Constitution classifies in the field of law, “the rules relating to constraints imposed in the interest of national defence…
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In accordance with its constitutional prerogative, the Beninese parliament examines and adopts security laws. In recent years, it has passed a few laws to…
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As a rule, the executive power and the military do not exert undue pressure on parliament to vote in their favor. The army is…
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2
21/100
Does the country have an identifiable and effective parliamentary defence and security committee (or similar such organisations) to exercise oversight?
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At the beginning of each legislature, after the election of the Board, the National Assembly shall set up five standing commissions for the study…
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The Board of the National Assembly allocates the MPs to the commissions after consultation with the presidents of the parliamentary groups, considering as far…
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According to the Rules of Procedures of the National Assembly, the Speaker of the National Assembly refers all issues relating to bills or proposals…
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The commissions are convened at the request of their chairperson, but they are not required to meet monthly [1]. The committee is not in…
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The National Assembly may authorize standing commissions or special and temporary commissions to carry out fact-finding or investigative missions on issues within their competence…
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During the study of the budget of the various ministries, the Members of the commission make observations and/or amendments to the initial draft that…
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3
0/100
Is the country’s national defence policy or national security strategy debated and publicly available?
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There is no formal, written defence policy or security strategy. So there is no public debate on this. Currently, the recently established Joint Centre…
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There is no official defense strategy document [1]. The process of its drafting is ongoing but there is no formal debate between the government…
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There is no formal national defence policy or national security strategy [1]. The process of its development is ongoing but citizens are not consulted…
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In Benin, there is no formal defense policy or security strategy made public, and no official document related to these policies is disseminated. Defense…
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4
42/100
Do defence and security institutions have a policy, or evidence, of openness towards civil society organisations (CSOs) when dealing with issues of corruption?
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There is no obligation on defence and security institutions to establish permanent consultations with civil society organizations for information sharing purposes [1]. Therefore, there…
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According to Article 23 of the Beninese Constitution, freedom of expression is guaranteed for all people and/or institutions [1]. This same constitution guarantees, under…
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CSOs have been able to work with defence and security institutions specifically on corruption issues, but not on a regular and in-depth basis [1].…
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5
75/100
Has the country signed up to the following international anti-corruption instruments: UNCAC and the OECD Convention?
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6
50/100
Is there evidence of regular, active public debate on issues of defence? If yes, does the government participate in this debate?
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There has been a public debate on defence issues since the rise of the terrorist threat and violent extremism. This debate is mainly taking…
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The government participates in debates with universities, opinion makers and CSOs on defence issues. Very often, it is a reaction of the government spokesman…
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7
25/100
Does the country have an openly stated and effectively implemented anti-corruption policy for the defence sector?
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Benin had an anti-corruption policy based around Law No. 2011-20 on the fight against corruption and other related offenses in the Republic of Benin.…
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There is no action plan at the ministerial level that reflects institutional weaknesses in the fight against corruption [1]. However, from 2024 to 2026,…
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8
92/100
Are there independent, well-resourced, and effective institutions within defence and security tasked with building integrity and countering corruption?
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Within the Beninese defence and security forces, there are identifiable structures whose mandate is to promote integrity and fight corruption. Among them, there is…
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The General Inspectorate of the Armed Forces (IGA) is not part of the chain of command because it is placed under the direct authority…
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The personnel of the Ministerial Committee for Risk Management (CMMR) and the Ministerial Committee for Internal Audit (CMAI) a priori understand the corruption risks…
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9
NS/100
Does the public trust the institutions of defence and security to tackle the issue of bribery and corruption in their establishments?
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This indicator is not assigned a score in the GDI. Public opinion has mixed confidence in defence and security institutions to tackle the problem…
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10
92/100
Are there regular assessments of the areas of greatest corruption risk for ministry and armed forces personnel, and are the findings used as inputs to the anti-corruption policy?
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The Ministerial Committee for Risk Management (CMMR) draws up a risk map [1], including those related to corruption. The development of the mapping follows…
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The risk map is updated every year. This update is carried out by each directorate by the end of September each year at the…
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The risk map is updated every year [1] and this is used to improve the anti-corruption practices in the ministry [2]. Base on the…
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11
42/100
Does the country have a process for acquisition planning that involves clear oversight, and is it publicly available?
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There is no formal defence strategy. Purchases are therefore planned on the basis of the strategic needs identified to effectively face the country’s defence…
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The multi-year programming document (over three years) is proactively published on the website of the Budget Directorate-General. It includes the justification for purchases, chains…
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The National Assembly has the power to control government action, including with regard to defence issues,[1]. However,but there is no evidence that the National…
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12
88/100
Is the defence budget transparent, showing key items of expenditure? And it is provided to the legislature in a timely fashion?
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The defence budget contains comprehensive information on expenditure across functions but information on the acquisition and maintenance of military equipment is not available in…
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The National Assembly should receive the Finance Bill no later than one week before the opening of the October session [1]. In practice, the…
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13
0/100
Is there a legislative committee (or other appropriate body) responsible for defence budget scrutiny and analysis in an effective way?
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The Defence Committee does not review the defence budget. According to the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly, matters with a financial impact…
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The Defence Committee does not review the defence budget so this indicator is marked Not Applicable. According to the Rules of Procedure of the…
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14
75/100
Is the approved defence budget made publicly available? In practice, can citizens, civil society, and the media obtain detailed information on the defence budget?
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In Benin, the defence budget as well as all other budgets are made public, it is an approach aimed at improving public management, strengthening…
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Monthly bulletins and quarterly reports on the implementation of the budget – including the defence budget – are produced during the year and made…
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Public information on the budget is available on the website of the Budget Directorate-General [1]. Citizens are invited to consult the said information online…
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15
0/100
Are sources of defence income other than from central government allocation (from equipment sales or property disposal, for example) published and scrutinised?
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It is difficult to find a single, comprehensive publication on all B enin’s revenues [1]. According to the people interviewed, thedefence sector is essentially…
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The Court of Auditors is the supreme audit institution in Benin and the internal audit office of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) are responsible…
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Public scrutiny of non-central government sources of funding is non-existent [1]. No media, citizens or civil society scrutiny reports on external defence funding are…
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16
75/100
Is there an effective internal audit process for defence ministry expenditure (that is, for example, transparent, conducted by appropriately skilled individuals, and subject to parliamentary oversight)?
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The Ministerial Internal Audit Committee (CMAI) defines the audit policy of the Ministry of Defence; ensures the quality of the internal control system aimed…
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The National Assembly is responsible for monitoring government action, as well as for supervising the implementation of the budget. The National Assembly does not…
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Internal audit reports are primarily intended for departmental officials, internal audit committees, and internal control bodies to ensure continuous improvement of operations and controls.…
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Benin’s Ministry of Defence regularly takes into account the conclusions of audits and controls carried out on its practices. This is part of a…
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17
69/100
Is there effective and transparent external auditing of military defence expenditure?
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In Benin, the external audit of ministries and public institutions, including defence and security institutions, is mainly carried out by the Court of Auditors…
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The Court of Auditors is an institution of the Republic created by the Constitution [1]. It is independent of the executive and legislative powers.…
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The Court of Auditors shall produce an annual report in which it sets out the main observations it has made, the conclusions it has…
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Benin’s Ministry of Defence regularly takes into account the recommendations of the Court of Auditors [1]. The Ministerial Committee for Risk Management (CMMR) and…
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18
100/100
Is there evidence that the country’s defence institutions have controlling or financial interests in businesses associated with the country’s natural resource exploitation and, if so, are these interests publicly stated and subject to scrutiny?
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In Benin, the defence institution is the army; and it is not constitutionally allowed to have majority or financial interests in companies associated with…
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There are no cases of individual defence personnel being involved in businesses relating to the country’s natural resource exploitation. [1] Public officials, including defense…
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There are no cases of individual defence institutions personnel being involved in businesses relating to the country’s natural resource exploitation [1]. Public officials, including…
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Public officials, including defense and security forces, must not exercise any function, or engage in any transaction, nor hold a financial or commercial interest…
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Public officials, includingdefence and security forces, must not exercise any function, or engage in any transaction, nor hold a financial or commercial interest incompatible…
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19
100/100
Is there evidence, for example through media investigations or prosecution reports, of a penetration of organised crime into the defence and security sector? If no, is there evidence that the government is alert and prepared for this risk?
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There is no evidence of military involvement in areas where organized crime operates [1]. No media investigation or prosecution report provides evidence of such…
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The government is aware of the possibility of organised crime in the defence and security sector [1]. To prevent this, soldiers first undergo a…
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20
92/100
Is there policing to investigate corruption and organised crime within the defence services and is there evidence of the effectiveness of this policing?
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There is an Armed Forces Police Service within the national police force. This unit ensures compliance with laws and regulations within the Defense and…
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These police functions are independent of the bodies they investigate [1]. As a police unit, it does not report hierarchically to the military high…
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Cases are investigated or prosecuted through formal processes and there is no evidence of undue political influence. For example, in 2024, 14 servicemen, all…
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21
0/100
Are the policies, administration, and budgets of the intelligence services subject to effective and independent oversight?
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A National Intelligence Control Commission is established to review the policies, administration and budget of the intelligence service. [1] It is an independent administrative…
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In practice, the National Intelligence Control Commission, in 2024, is still not installed so there is no effective control of intelligence services and this…
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22
0/100
Are senior positions within the intelligence services filled on the basis of objective selection criteria, and are appointees subject to investigation of their suitability and prior conduct?
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In Benin, the selection criteria for senior positions in the intelligence services are not made public in detail. The decree creating the intelligence services…
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There is no evidence of opportunity for intervention by third parties that may result in selection bias or undue influence in the selection of…
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Leadership positions in the intelligence services are mainly occupied by the defence and security forces [1]. A morality investigation shall be carried out by…
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23
100/100
Does the government have a well-scrutinised process for arms export decisions that aligns with Articles 7.1.iv, 11.5, and 15.6 of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)?
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Benin signed the Army Trade Treaty (ATT) on 3 June 2013, at the opening signing ceremony in New York. It then ratified the treaty…
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Benin has taken significant measures to comply with the three ATT articles and contribute to a more responsible and regulated arms trade. For example,…
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Our desk research and interviews confirm that Benin is not an arm exporter. Benin has no arms manufacturing facilities [1] [2]. Therefore, this sub-indicator…
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The country has no framework for regulating lobbying activity [1]. In Benin, there is very little evidence of the existence of lobbying activities with…
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The country has no framework for regulating lobbying activity so this indicator is marked Not Applicable [1]. In Benin, there is very little evidence…
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The country has no framework for regulating lobbying activity so this indicator is marked Not Applicable [1]. In Benin, there is very little evidence…
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The country has no framework for regulating lobbying activity so this indicator is marked Not Applicable [1]. In Benin, there is very little evidence…
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Defence and Security Policy and Policy Transparency
Q1
NA/100
Is there formal provision for effective and independent legislative scrutiny of defence policy?
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Q2
NA/100
Does the country have an identifiable and effective parliamentary defence and security committee (or similar such organisations) to exercise oversight?
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Q3
NA/100
Is the country’s national defence policy or national security strategy debated and publicly available?
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Q4
NA/100
Do defence and security institutions have a policy, or evidence, of openness towards civil society organisations (CSOs) when dealing with issues of corruption?
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Q5
NA/100
Has the country signed up to the following international anti-corruption instruments: UNCAC and the OECD Convention?
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Q6
NA/100
Is there evidence of regular, active public debate on issues of defence? If yes, does the government participate in this debate?
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Q7
NA/100
Does the country have an openly stated and effectively implemented anti-corruption policy for the defence sector?
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Q8
NA/100
Are there independent, well-resourced, and effective institutions within defence and security tasked with building integrity and countering corruption?
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Q9
NA/100
Does the public trust the institutions of defence and security to tackle the issue of bribery and corruption in their establishments?
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Q10
NA/100
Are there regular assessments of the areas of greatest corruption risk for ministry and armed forces personnel, and are the findings used as inputs to the anti-corruption policy?
View QuestionDefence Budgets
Q11
NA/100
Does the country have a process for acquisition planning that involves clear oversight, and is it publicly available?
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Q12
NA/100
Is the defence budget transparent, showing key items of expenditure? And it is provided to the legislature in a timely fashion?
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Q13
NA/100
Is there a legislative committee (or other appropriate body) responsible for defence budget scrutiny and analysis in an effective way?
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Q14
NA/100
Is the approved defence budget made publicly available? In practice, can citizens, civil society, and the media obtain detailed information on the defence budget?
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Q15
NA/100
Are sources of defence income other than from central government allocation (from equipment sales or property disposal, for example) published and scrutinised?
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Q16
NA/100
Is there an effective internal audit process for defence ministry expenditure (that is, for example, transparent, conducted by appropriately skilled individuals, and subject to parliamentary oversight)?
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Q17
NA/100
Is there effective and transparent external auditing of military defence expenditure?
View QuestionNexus of Defence and National Assets
Q18
NA/100
Is there evidence that the country’s defence institutions have controlling or financial interests in businesses associated with the country’s natural resource exploitation and, if so, are these interests publicly stated and subject to scrutiny?
View QuestionOrganised Crime
Q19
NA/100
Is there evidence, for example through media investigations or prosecution reports, of a penetration of organised crime into the defence and security sector? If no, is there evidence that the government is alert and prepared for this risk?
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Q20
NA/100
Is there policing to investigate corruption and organised crime within the defence services and is there evidence of the effectiveness of this policing?
View QuestionControl of Intelligence Services
Q21
NA/100
Are the policies, administration, and budgets of the intelligence services subject to effective and independent oversight?
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Q22
NA/100
Are senior positions within the intelligence services filled on the basis of objective selection criteria, and are appointees subject to investigation of their suitability and prior conduct?
View QuestionExport Controls
Q23
NA/100