The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is providing a €35.5 million sovereign loan to Société de Gestion des Déchets et de la Salubrité to support the modernisation of municipal solid waste systems in Grand Nokoué. The project, co-financed with the European Investment Bank, aims to upgrade infrastructure serving around 2.8 million people and marks a significant step in improving waste management services in the country.
The initiative will help shift the region from a landfill-dependent system to a more sustainable, recycling-oriented model by introducing modern green technologies. Planned upgrades include improvements to sorting facilities, construction of new sorting and composting plants, installation of landfill gas collection systems, and enhancements to leachate management. Additional investments in waste collection trucks and containers are expected to improve operational efficiency and expand service coverage, while reducing carbon emissions by more than 75,000 tonnes annually.
Beyond infrastructure, the project includes institutional and policy support. The EBRD will launch its first infrastructure-focused policy dialogue in sub-Saharan Africa, helping SGDS implement a household waste collection fee through improved economic governance frameworks. It will also support the development of gender-focused initiatives, including an Equal Opportunities Action Plan to increase women’s participation in technical and leadership roles within the sector.
Benin, which became an EBRD country of operation in 2025, is receiving targeted support to strengthen critical infrastructure, enhance public services, and promote sustainable development. This project represents the Bank’s second investment in the country and reflects its broader commitment to supporting green urban development and improving economic governance.
