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Despite the magnitude of its hydroelectric potential Benin remains heavily dependent on the outside world for its power supplies. Almost all the electricity consumed comes from abroad. Domestic electricity production is mainly thermal. The hydroelectric mini power station at Yeripao, in the north west of the country, contributes less than 1% of the demand to domestic electricity production. According to the authorities, the population's access to electricity remains modest, with an electrification rate of 55.1% in urban areas and 4.1% in rural areas in 2015.

The Benin Electricity Community (CEB) acts as the sole purchaser for Benin and Togo. The CEB obtains its supplies from its foreign partners (Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Ghana). It has hydroelectric generating capacity and two 20 MW gas fired power stations. (...)

The institutional framework for the management of water resources consists of public and private actors including, in particular, the ministries concerned with water management; the local authorities; and the non State actors grouped since 2011 in the National Water Board (CNE), which is the first institutional framework structured at national level and brings together all the categories of public and private actors concerned with the sustainable management of water resources.

Several government strategy papers are currently in place with a view to developing water resources. They mainly comprise: the 1997 Benin National Water Resource Management Strategy, the 1999 Benin Vision for Water Resources 2025 and the National Water Policy of 2008. They are aimed at establishing an integrated, coordinated and sustainable system of water resource management in Benin. Law No. 2010 44 of 24 November 2010 regulates water management in the Republic of Benin.

Benin's tourism assets are considerable and diversified. The site of the royal palaces of Abomey is currently on UNESCO's world heritage list, while the oral genre "Gelede" is on the representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. With regard to the architectural heritage, the country is full of examples of ancient architectural styles, the most famous of which is the Tata Somba. Moreover, its natural heritage includes several biosphere reserves (classified/sacred forests, parks and bodies of water) and upland areas (the Atacora chain and the hills of Dassa and Savalou). (...)

Table 3.2 Products subject to special import authorization
Category/List of products Special authorization/ Technical notice Need for approval Legal basis,
Remarks
(...)
2. Regulated substances listed in Annexes A, B, C, D and F to the Montreal Protocol
1. 3. Products or appliances containing or functioning with regulated substances listed in Annexes A, B, C, D and F to the Montreal Protocol ASI (special import authorization) issued by the Ministry responsible for trade following an opinion from the Ozone Office No - Montreal Protocol
- Notice to traders No. 97/ 005/MCIA/SG/DGC of 11 March 1997
Products concerned: air conditioning appliances for motor cars and trucks; refrigeration appliances and air conditioners/heat pumps, for example: refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, water coolers, ice makers, air conditioning devices and heat pumps, compressors; aerosols other than those used for medical purposes; portable fire extinguishers; insulation panels and coating for pipes; prepolymers.

4. Chemical products listed in Annex 3 to the Rotterdam Convention, products listed in the annexes to the Stockholm Convention Favourable opinion on import authorization from the Directorate General of Environmental Conservation No - Rotterdam Convention
- Stockholm Convention
(...)
6. Explosives and by products, cyanide "ASI" from the Ministry responsible for trade, import authorization from the Ministry responsible for mining and licence to operate the mine for mining companies. Opinion of the Ministry responsible for the environment required only for cyanide. No - Rotterdam Convention
- Stockholm Convention
(...)
11. Pesticides Prior authorization of the order (APC) for each order Yes - Law No. 041/96/ADP of 8 November 1996 establishing pesticide control in Burkina Faso
- Law No. 006/2013/AN of 2 April 2013 containing the Environment Code

12. Plastic bags and wrapping Approval certificate issued by the Ministry responsible for the environment
Results of the conformity analysis provided by the Burkina Standardization and Metrology Agency (ABNORM) No - Law No. 017 2014/AN of 20 May 2014 prohibiting the production, import, marketing and distribution of non biodegradable plastic bags and wrapping
(...)

The export of young animals (donors and females) is prohibited. In August 2016, the Government adopted a decree banning the export of donkeys, horses, camels and their products. The export of charcoal has been suspended since 2004. Ivory and gold require a special export authorization (ASE); the Ministry of Tourism has to authorize the export of articles belonging to the cultural heritage. Live wild animal species, together with all hunting trophies, and wildlife products, also require certificates for any form of export and, where applicable, a CITES permit.

(...) Genetically modified organisms and by products must be labelled and bear the indication "Products based on genetically modified organisms" or "Contains genetically modified organisms" (section 4.1).

The agricultural sector employs more than 80% of the economically active population, accounts for about 25% of GDP and is the main source of food and income. An essentially agricultural country of the Sahel, Burkina Faso continues to face the challenge of ensuring the sustainable food and nutritional security of its people. Burkina agriculture is characterized by poor productivity due to a difficult climate, insecurity of tenure, problems with access to inputs, worn out farming equipment and lack of financing. Only 44% of farmers have access to mechanization services; between 2011 and 2015, the proportion of farmers with access to improved seed rose from 15% to 19% and mineral fertilizer consumption per hectare from 40 kg to 50 kg. Moreover, agricultural production is regularly exposed to natural disasters, in particular, locust invasions, floods and droughts. (...)

(...) The Accelerated Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy (SCADD, section 2.2) identifies the agricultural sector as being strategic for economic development and poverty reduction. (...)