English Versions of This Report

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

English Versions of This Report Report No. 97242-BJ The Republic of Benin Public Disclosure Authorized Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS) Update: From rents to competitiveness Final report – Mai 2015 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice Africa Region Public Disclosure Authorized Document of the World Bank Contents Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................................. x Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................ xi Action matrix ................................................................................................................................... xxv Trade ............................................................................................................................................ xxv Trade facilitation ........................................................................................................................ xxvii Services ........................................................................................................................................ xxx Agriculture ................................................................................................................................. xxxii Chapter 1: Eight years on: Selective progress ..................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Background: A slow-growing, low-income economy ............................................................... 1 1.2.1 Macroeconomic management has remained prudent in a turbulent period ........................ 2 1.2.2 But structural competitiveness remains weak ..................................................................... 3 1.2.3 Poverty and vulnerability remain prevalent ........................................................................ 6 1.3 DTIS implementation: limited progress on an ambitious agenda .............................................. 7 1.3.1 Mainstreaming trade in Benin’s development strategy ...................................................... 7 1.3.2 Assessing impact: Broad outcome indicators ..................................................................... 8 1.3.2 Action-matrix implementation .......................................................................................... 13 1.3.3 A new approach aligned with the government’s priorities ............................................... 14 Chapter 2: Harnessing trade policy for competitiveness ................................................................... 17 2.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 17 2.2 A trade performance that largely reflects the cotton sector’s crisis ......................................... 18 2.2.1 Formal trade ...................................................................................................................... 18 2.2.2 Informal trade.................................................................................................................... 21 2.2.3 Regional trade ................................................................................................................... 23 2.3 Trade policy: Update, scenarios and options for the future ..................................................... 25 2.3.1 A tariff environment in transition ..................................................................................... 25 2.3.2 Non-tariff measures .......................................................................................................... 32 2.3.2 Export & investment promotion ....................................................................................... 36 2.4 Looking ahead .......................................................................................................................... 38 Chapter 3: Trade facilitation .............................................................................................................. 40 3.1 Transport and logistics in Benin .............................................................................................. 40 3.1.1 Regional context ............................................................................................................... 41 3.1.2 Traffic volumes ................................................................................................................. 42 ii 3.1.3 Transport infrastructure and logistics services in Benin ................................................... 44 3.1.4 Transport costs and prices ................................................................................................. 51 3.2 Modernizing customs to strengthen Benin’s regional competitiveness ................................... 53 3.2.1 The importance of customs modernization in Benin ........................................................ 53 3.2.2 Current performances of customs in Benin ...................................................................... 54 3.2.3 Main strengths and weaknesses of Beninese customs ...................................................... 59 3.2.4 Benin’s Customs modernization efforts............................................................................ 60 3.2.5 Moving forward with customs modernization .................................................................. 62 3.2.6 Looking ahead ................................................................................................................... 65 Chapter 4: Diversification through services ...................................................................................... 67 4.1 The role of services and services trade in the Benin economy ................................................ 67 4.1.1 Services value added ......................................................................................................... 67 4.1.2 Services trade performance ............................................................................................... 67 4.2 The state of services trade integration in Benin ....................................................................... 73 4.2.1 Openness and multilateral commitments .......................................................................... 73 4.2.2 North-South integration .................................................................................................... 74 4.2.3 South-South integration .................................................................................................... 76 4.3 Looking ahead: Promoting services activities in Benin ........................................................... 79 4.3.1 Cross-cutting constraints ................................................................................................... 79 4.3.2 Sector-specific issues ........................................................................................................ 82 Chapter 5: Agriculture ....................................................................................................................... 87 5.1 Why agriculture matters for Benin .......................................................................................... 87 5.2 Cotton ....................................................................................................................................... 88 5.2.1 Developments since the DTIS .......................................................................................... 89 5.2.2 The "transitional" season of 2012/2013 ............................................................................ 90 5.2.3 Looking ahead ................................................................................................................... 91 5.3 Non-traditional sectors ............................................................................................................. 93 5.3.1 Cashew .............................................................................................................................. 93 5.3.2 Pineapple ......................................................................................................................... 102 5.3.3 Shea ................................................................................................................................. 106 5.4 Cross-cutting export barriers .................................................................................................. 110 5.4.1. Agricultural inputs ......................................................................................................... 110 5.4.2 Quality control ................................................................................................................ 111 5.4.3. Metrology and packaging .............................................................................................. 113 iii 5.5 Looking ahead ........................................................................................................................ 113 5.5.1. Institutions for the development of agro-food chains .................................................... 114 5.5.2. Strengthening the capacity of stakeholders and promoting products ............................ 115 5.5.3. Investing
Recommended publications
  • Population Étrangère Dans L'alibori Synthèse Des Principaux Résult
    REPUBLIQUE DU BENIN ------------------- MINISTERE DU PLAN ET DU DEVELOPPEMENT ------------------- Institut National de la Statistique et de l’Analyse Economique Synthèse des principaux résultats du RGPH-4 de l’ALIBORI 1- Etat et structure de la population de l’Alibori Evolution de la population de l’Alibori de 2002 à 2013 Taux d'accroissement Poids DIVISIONS RGPH4-2013 RGPH3-2002 intercensitaire démographique ADMINISTRATIVES en % (2002- en % en 2013 Total Masculin Féminin Total Masculin Féminin 2013) BENIN 10 008 749 4 887 820 5 120 929 6 769 914 3 284 119 3 485 795 3,52 ALIBORI 867 463 431 357 436 106 521 093 259 588 261 505 4,61 8,7 Banikoara 246 575 122 445 124 130 152 028 75 829 76 199 4,37 28,4 Gogounou 117 523 58 018 59 505 80 013 39 759 40 254 3,46 13,5 Kandi 179 290 88 998 90 292 95 206 47 600 47 606 5,76 20,7 Karimama 66 353 33 149 33 204 39 579 19 792 19 787 4,68 7,6 Malanville 168 641 83 681 84 960 101 628 50 263 51 365 4,58 19,4 Ségbana 89 081 45 066 44 015 52 639 26 345 26 294 4,77 10,3 En 2013, le département de l’Alibori compte 867 463 habitants soit 8,7% Evolution (en %) de la structure par âge de la population de l'Alibori au RGPH-1992, RGPH-2002 25,0 de la population béninoise. Le taux et RGPH-2013 1992 2002 2013 d’accroissement intercensitaire de 20,0 On constate depuis 1992 une 4,61% est supérieur à la moyenne augmentation de la proportion de la nationale.
    [Show full text]
  • Article 1"': Est Autorisée [A Ratification, Par Te Président De Ta Répubtique
    REPUBLIQUE DU BENIN Fr.t.mlta-JurU..-Tr.v.ll PRESIDENCE DE LA REPUBLIQUE LOtN' 2015-05 DU 29 JANVTER 2015 portant autorisation de ratification de t'accord de prêt signé à Cotonou, te 27 septembre 2014, entre [a Répubtique du Bénin et ta Banque Ouest Africaine de Dévetoppement (BOAD), dans [e cadre du financement partie[ du projet de pavage de rues et d'assai nissement dans les viltes d'Abomey-Calavi (phase 2), d'Athiémé, d'Avrankou, d'Azovè, de Kérou, de Matanvitte, de Zogbodomey et de construction d'un pont sur [a traversée lagunaire de Djonou entre Cocotomey et Womey. L'Assembtée Nationate a détibéré et adopté en sa séance du 16 janvier 2015 ; Le Président de ta Répubtique promutgue ta Loi dont [a teneur suit : Article 1"': Est autorisée [a ratification, par te Président de ta Répubtique, de l'accord de prêt d'un montant de vingt mittiards (20 000 000 000) de francs CFA, signé à Cotonou, [e 27 septembre 2014, entre [a Répubtique du Bénin et ta Banque Ouest Africaine de Dévetoppement (BOAD), dans [e cadre du financement partiel du projet de pavage de rues et d'assainissement dans tes viltes d'Abomey-Calavi (phase 2), d'Athiémé, d'Avrankou, d'Azovè, de Kérou, de Matanvitte, de Zogbodomey et de construction d'un pont sur [a traversée lagunaire de Djonou entre Cocotomey et Womey. Article 2 : La présente [oi sera exécutée comme [oi de ['Etat. Fait à Cotonou, [e 9 janvier 2015 Par [e Président de ta Répubtique, Chef de I'Etat, Chef du Gouvernement, Dr Boni YAYI Le Ministre de ['Economie, des Finances et Le Ministre des Travaux Publics des Programmes de Dénationatisation, et des Transports, è Komi KOUTCHE Natondé A do Le Ministre de ['Urbanisme, de t,Habitat et de ['Assainissement, § ch an AMPI.IATIONS: PR 6.
    [Show full text]
  • The Geography of Welfare in Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte D'ivoire, and Togo
    Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized The Geography of Welfare in Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo Public Disclosure Authorized Nga Thi Viet Nguyen and Felipe F. Dizon Public Disclosure Authorized 00000_CVR_English.indd 1 12/6/17 2:29 PM November 2017 The Geography of Welfare in Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo Nga Thi Viet Nguyen and Felipe F. Dizon 00000_Geography_Welfare-English.indd 1 11/29/17 3:34 PM Photo Credits Cover page (top): © Georges Tadonki Cover page (center): © Curt Carnemark/World Bank Cover page (bottom): © Curt Carnemark/World Bank Page 1: © Adrian Turner/Flickr Page 7: © Arne Hoel/World Bank Page 15: © Adrian Turner/Flickr Page 32: © Dominic Chavez/World Bank Page 48: © Arne Hoel/World Bank Page 56: © Ami Vitale/World Bank 00000_Geography_Welfare-English.indd 2 12/6/17 3:27 PM Acknowledgments This study was prepared by Nga Thi Viet Nguyen The team greatly benefited from the valuable and Felipe F. Dizon. Additional contributions were support and feedback of Félicien Accrombessy, made by Brian Blankespoor, Michael Norton, and Prosper R. Backiny-Yetna, Roy Katayama, Rose Irvin Rojas. Marina Tolchinsky provided valuable Mungai, and Kané Youssouf. The team also thanks research assistance. Administrative support by Erick Herman Abiassi, Kathleen Beegle, Benjamin Siele Shifferaw Ketema is gratefully acknowledged. Billard, Luc Christiaensen, Quy-Toan Do, Kristen Himelein, Johannes Hoogeveen, Aparajita Goyal, Overall guidance for this report was received from Jacques Morisset, Elisée Ouedraogo, and Ashesh Andrew L. Dabalen. Prasann for their discussion and comments. Joanne Gaskell, Ayah Mahgoub, and Aly Sanoh pro- vided detailed and careful peer review comments.
    [Show full text]
  • Monographie Ketou
    REPUBLIQUE DU BENIN =-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-= MINISTERE DE LA PROSPECTIVE, DU DEVELOPPEMENT ET DE L’EVALUATION DE L’ACTION PUBLIQUE (MPDEAP) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA STATISTIQUE ET DE L’ANALYSE ECONOMIQUE (INSAE) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= MONOGRAPHIE DE LA COMMUNE DE KETOU DIRECTION DES ETUDES DEMOGRAPHIQUES Décembre 2008 TABLE DES MATIERES LISTE DES TABLEAUX ............................................................................................................ vi LISTE DES GRAPHIQUES ........................................................................................................ x PREFACE ..................................................................................................................................... xi NOTE METHODOLOGIQUE SUR LE RGPH-3 .................................................................. xiii SITUATION GEOGRAPHIQUE DE KETOU DANS LE BENIN .......................................... 1 SITUATION GEOGRAPHIQUE DE LA COMMUNE DE KETOU DANS LE DEPARTEMENT DU PLATEAU ............................................................................................... 2 1- GENERALITES ........................................................................................................................ 3 1-1 Présentation de la commune .................................................................................................. 3 1-1-1 Le relief ..........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Disposal of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Obsolete Pesticides and Strengthening Life-Cycle Management of Pesticides in Benin”
    Project evaluation series Mid-term evaluation of “Disposal of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Obsolete Pesticides and Strengthening Life-cycle Management of Pesticides in Benin” Project evaluation series Mid-term evaluation of “Disposal of persistent organic pollutants and obsolete pesticides and strengthening life-cycle management of pesticides in Benin” GCP/BEN/056/GFF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Rome, 2019 Required citation: FAO. 2019. Mid-term evaluation of “Disposal of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Obsolete Pesticides and Strengthening Life-cycle Management of Pesticides in Benin”. Rome. The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of FAO. © FAO, 2019 Some rights reserved. This work is made available under the Creative Commons Attribution- NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 IGO licence (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO; https://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/igo/legalcode/legalcode). Under the terms of this licence, this work may be copied, redistributed and adapted for non-commercial purposes, provided that the work is appropriately cited.
    [Show full text]
  • The House of Oduduwa: an Archaeological Study of Economy and Kingship in the Savè Hills of West Africa
    The House of Oduduwa: An Archaeological Study of Economy and Kingship in the Savè Hills of West Africa by Andrew W. Gurstelle A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Anthropology) in the University of Michigan 2015 Doctoral Committee: Professor Carla M. Sinopoli, Chair Professor Joyce Marcus Professor Raymond A. Silverman Professor Henry T. Wright © Andrew W. Gurstelle 2015 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I must first and foremost acknowledge the people of the Savè hills that contributed their time, knowledge, and energies. Completing this dissertation would not have been possible without their support. In particular, I wish to thank Ọba Adétùtú Onishabe, Oyedekpo II Ọla- Amùṣù, and the many balè,̣ balé, and balọdè ̣that welcomed us to their communities and facilitated our research. I also thank the many land owners that allowed us access to archaeological sites, and the farmers, herders, hunters, fishers, traders, and historians that spoke with us and answered our questions about the Savè hills landscape and the past. This dissertion was truly an effort of the entire community. It is difficult to express the depth of my gratitude for my Béninese collaborators. Simon Agani was with me every step of the way. His passion for Shabe history inspired me, and I am happy to have provided the research support for him to finish his research. Nestor Labiyi provided support during crucial periods of excavation. As with Simon, I am very happy that our research interests complemented and reinforced one another’s. Working with Travis Williams provided a fresh perspective on field methods and strategies when it was needed most.
    [Show full text]
  • Monographie Des Communes Des Départements De L'atlantique Et Du Li
    Spatialisation des cibles prioritaires des ODD au Bénin : Monographie des communes des départements de l’Atlantique et du Littoral Note synthèse sur l’actualisation du diagnostic et la priorisation des cibles des communes Monographie départementale _ Mission de spatialisation des cibles prioritaires des ODD au Bénin _ 2019 1 Une initiative de : Direction Générale de la Coordination et du Suivi des Objectifs de Développement Durable (DGCS-ODD) Avec l’appui financier de : Programme d’appui à la Décentralisation et Projet d’Appui aux Stratégies de Développement au Développement Communal (PDDC / GIZ) (PASD / PNUD) Fonds des Nations unies pour l'enfance Fonds des Nations unies pour la population (UNICEF) (UNFPA) Et l’appui technique du Cabinet Cosinus Conseils Monographie départementale _ Mission de spatialisation des cibles prioritaires des ODD au Bénin _ 2019 2 Tables des matières LISTE DES CARTES ..................................................................................................................................................... 4 SIGLES ET ABREVIATIONS ......................................................................................................................................... 5 1.1. BREF APERÇU SUR LES DEPARTEMENTS DE L’ATLANTIQUE ET DU LITTORAL ................................................ 7 1.1.1. INFORMATIONS SUR LE DEPARTEMENT DE L’ATLANTIQUE ........................................................................................ 7 1.1.1.1. Présentation du Département de l’Atlantique ......................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Dahomey Half a Century Ago by Geoffrey Parrinder
    DAHOMEY HALF A CENTURY AGO BY GEOFFREY PARRINDER (Fellow of King's College, University of London) It is forty years since my first book, West African Religion, was published in 1949, though I had arrived at Porto Novo in Dahomey sixteen years earlier. The editor has asked me to sketch something of the background to the book, which I shall try to do without too much use of the personal pronoun. In those mid-colonial days communications between West African territories under British and French rule were not easy, and there were suspicions of political manoeuvres on both sides. France and Britain had carved out colonies like slices in a cake, often tak- ing rivers as frontiers though they were natural means of access. British visitors to Dahomey often took Elder Dempster passenger ships to Lagos and then there was the problem of getting through to Porto Novo on the French side. There were no railways along the inter-colonial coastline, but only northwards into the interior of each country. There were no lateral roads, and the construction of international highways had to await the coming of the allied armies after the landings in north and west Africa during the Second World War. Air services were almost unheard of. There were a few paths through forest and swamp, but they were not suitable for motor traffic. The principal route was by launch (petrolette) along the creeks or lagoons. This launch service between the British and French colonies was run by Germans, the Woermann Line of Hamburg. In their Lagos office in 1933 there was already a picture of Adolf Hitler on the wall, either from conviction or prudence, since he had just come to power in Germany.
    [Show full text]
  • Master Thesis France and the Repatriation of Cultural Objects
    Communication Erasmus University Rotterdam Master Thesis Master Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship France and the repatriation of Erasmus School of History, Culture and cultural objects Evaluating individual preferences for French cultural policy with respect to repatriation. Academic Year 2018-2019 Student: Tiphaine de Saint-Laurent Thesis Supervisor: Prof. Isidoro Mazza Student number : 501211 Second Reader: Dr. Anna Mignosa Date : June, 2019 Abstract In the past couple years, due to the decision of President Emmanuel Macron to return African cultural property to African States, the repatriation of cultural objects to their countries of origin has become a hot topic in France. The geographical repartition of cultural heritage is a complex issue, entangled with history, culture, politics and law. This study focuses on the issues of human rights, multiculturalism, cultural identity or recognition related to the repatriation of cultural heritage as well as on the international legal regimes protecting cultural property. A wide literature has addressed the subject of repatriation and of its various aspects. Nevertheless, despite the studies on that subject and the organization of symposia on the value of repatriation, there is still research on what people (citizens of a State, members of nation or cultural group…) believe and expect from repatriation. By using self-administered questionnaires, this quantitative study attempts to investigate French citizens’ opinion on what considerations should be taken into account when returning cultural objects to their countries of origin. Keywords: Cultural property; heritage ownership; looted artefact; cultural property disputes; return; restitution; repatriation; relocated art; protection of cultural heritage; international relationships; ethics; cultural diplomacy; soft power. ii Acknowledgements My Master thesis was a long-winded project that I could never have done without the help and support of my entourage in France and in the Netherlands.
    [Show full text]
  • Cross-Border Tourism and Competitiveness Project
    Document of The World Bank FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Public Disclosure Authorized Report No: PAD1534 INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION PROJECT APPRAISAL DOCUMENT ON A PROPOSED CREDIT Public Disclosure Authorized IN THE AMOUNT OF € 45.90 MILLION (US$50.00 MILLION EQUIVALENT) TO THE REPUBLIC OF BENIN FOR A CROSS-BORDER TOURISM AND COMPETITIVENESS PROJECT March 4, 2016 Public Disclosure Authorized Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice Africa Region This document is being made publicly available prior to Board consideration. This does not imply a presumed outcome. This document may be updated following Board consideration and Public Disclosure Authorized the updated document will be made publicly available in accordance with the Bank's policy on Access to Information. CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS (Exchange Rate Effective as of January 31, 2016) Currency Unit = XOF XOF 601 = US$1 US$1 = € 0.91612844 FISCAL YEAR January 1 – December 31 ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ABGT Beninese Agency for Major Works (Agence Béninoise des Grands Travaux) B2B Business-to-Business CAGAO Collective Groups and Associations of Artisans of Ouidah CGA Business Development Centers (Centres de Gestion Agréés) DTIS Diagnostic Trade and Integration Study FNDPT National Tourism Development and Promotion Fund (Fonds National de Développement et de Promotion du Tourisme) GUFE Single Window for the formalisation of Enterprises (Guichet Unique de formalisation des entreprises) PCU Project Coordination Unit ABE Environmental Agency of Benin (Agence Béninoise pour l’Environnement)
    [Show full text]
  • Malaria Vectors Resistance to Insecticides in Benin
    Gnanguenon et al. Parasites & Vectors (2015) 8:223 DOI 10.1186/s13071-015-0833-2 RESEARCH Open Access Malaria vectors resistance to insecticides in Benin: current trends and mechanisms involved Virgile Gnanguenon1,2*, Fiacre R Agossa1,2, Kefilath Badirou1,2, Renaud Govoetchan1,2, Rodrigue Anagonou1,2, Fredéric Oke-Agbo1, Roseric Azondekon1, Ramziath AgbanrinYoussouf1,2, Roseline Attolou1,2, Filemon T Tokponnon4, Rock Aïkpon1,2, Razaki Ossè1,3 and Martin C Akogbeto1,2 Abstract Background: Insecticides are widely used to control malaria vectors and have significantly contributed to the reduction of malaria-caused mortality. In addition, the same classes of insecticides were widely introduced and used in agriculture in Benin since 1980s. These factors probably contributed to the selection of insecticide resistance in malaria vector populations reported in several localities in Benin. This insecticide resistance represents a threat to vector control tool and should be monitored. The present study reveals observed insecticide resistance trends in Benin to help for a better management of insecticide resistance. Methods: Mosquito larvae were collected in eight sites and reared in laboratory. Bioassays were conducted on the adult mosquitoes upon the four types of insecticide currently used in public health in Benin. Knock-down resistance, insensitive acetylcholinesterase-1 resistance, and metabolic resistance analysis were performed in the mosquito populations based on molecular and biochemical analysis. The data were mapped using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) with Arcgis software. Results: Mortalities observed with Deltamethrin (pyrethroid class) were less than 90% in 5 locations, between 90-97% in 2 locations, and over 98% in one location. Bendiocarb (carbamate class) showed mortalities ranged 90-97% in 2 locations and were over 98% in the others locations.
    [Show full text]
  • Just Like in Colonial Times? Administrative Practice and Local Reflections on ‘Grassroots Neocolonialism’ in Autonomous and Postcolonial Dahomey, –
    Journal of African History, . (), pp. –. © Cambridge University Press . This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/./), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. doi:./S JUST LIKE IN COLONIAL TIMES? ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICE AND LOCAL REFLECTIONS ON ‘GRASSROOTS NEOCOLONIALISM’ IN AUTONOMOUS AND POSTCOLONIAL DAHOMEY, – Alexander Keese University of Geneva* Abstract In Dahomey (Benin) during the period of autonomy and the first years of independence, the reference to a colonial past was an important instrument and point of debate. Members of a new group of politicians used it to accuse trade union leaders to make unrealistic claims; local peasants mobilized it as their point of reference against infrastruc- ture projects; officials discussed it to make sense of tax refusals, while locals invoked older forms of tax resistance they had practiced under colonial rule. This article follows the dif- ferent relationships with the colonial past, through the regions of Abomey and Porto- Novo, and shows how these experiences were viewed by local residents and by nationalist leaders, such as Justin Ahomadegbé. It also serves as an example and an injunction to make use of the administrative postcolonial archive. Key Words archives, decolonisation, development, labour, taxation. INTRODUCTION In August , a group of youth militia leaders in the southeastern city of Kétou in Benin made a striking claim; they branded the politicians and administrators in the town, includ- ing those installed after Mathieu Kérékou’s ‘revolution’, the coup d’état of ,as‘neo- colonialist’.
    [Show full text]