Benin gov't releases $9 million to ease power crisis

The government of Benin has moved in to ease the country’s power crisis, after it announced the release of 5.2 billion FCFA (9 million USD) to supply fuel for power generators rented from two suppliers.

Secretary-General of the Presidency, Pascal Irenee Koupaki, made the announcement after a cabinet meeting held Wednesday at the presidential palace.

This will be one of the major steps taken by the Benin government to address the crisis, sources say.

Benin has been in an unprecedented energy crisis in the recent years. Only one major hydroelectric power plant currently functions.

The country however has a large hydroelectricity potential, but 85% of its electricity needs are answered by imports from Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria.

The small west African nation is also 100% dependent on petroleum imports, which have made it vulnerable to dollar exchange rates and fluctuations in oil prices.