Government officials launched two land administration modernization programs on 6 November 2026 in Cotonou. These initiatives seek to update property management systems across Bénin. The implementation follows planning efforts involving the Banque mondiale and experts from the Pays-Bas. Nicolas YENOUSSI, Xavier ZOLA, and Cédric Amoussou attended the inaugural ceremony to mark the start of the project. Administrative centers in Porto-Novo and Parakou are expected to integrate the new digital framework alongside the Cotonou headquarters. Authorities aim to simplify registration processes for landholders through these technical improvements. Officials stated that the programs focus on improving the accuracy of land records throughout the country. Future operations will transition existing manual files into a centralized digital database accessible to regional offices.
Scope of TERRA BÉNIN
TERRA BÉNIN operates across two phases, each spanning five years. This project will initially intervene in 14 communes, followed by an expansion to 30 additional locations. Xavier ZOLA, directeur général de l’ANDF, stated: "Le lancement de TERRA BÉNIN et de PPMEC II nous offre l’opportunité de consolider ces acquis et de donner une nouvelle impulsion."
Official objectives for the program include the registration of 1.5 million parcels. Authorities further intend to issue at least one million Certificates of Registration at the Cadastre (CEC) to landholders as part of these efforts to modernize the national property management system. The deployment schedule relies on the phased integration of these technical services to ensure coverage across the identified communes. By establishing these targets, the project seeks to provide a clear digital record of land ownership for property holders in the participating regions.
PPMEC II Operational Framework
The PPMEC II project operates according to a schedule spanning the period from 2026 to 2031. During this timeframe, the initiative focuses on the update and coverage of land data across 71 arrondissements.
Implementation of the program involves operations in 12 communes. Cotonou, Porto-Novo, and Parakou are among the specific locations designated for these activities. The project aims to integrate technical services within these areas to align with the broader goals of modernizing the national property management system. These efforts build upon the initial planning stages involving the Banque mondiale and experts from the Pays-Bas. By targeting these 12 communes, authorities intend to standardize land records and improve the accessibility of information for regional offices. The project remains a central component of the administrative reforms launched by Nicolas YENOUSSI, Xavier ZOLA, and Cédric Amoussou on 6 November 2026. Consistent with the national strategy, these actions will transition existing manual files into a centralized digital database.
