Country Snapshot: Benin and Benin Micro-Enterprise Development
Project and VITA
The Benin Micro-Enterprise
Development Project began to make loans to the very
poor in disadvantaged communities in 1997 to help them
increase their incomes and participate in local development
programs. Volunteers in Technical Assistance (VITA)
created a local micro-finance institution, Micro-Bank.
The bank now has about 4000 micro-entrepreneurs in three
major regions of Benin.
One woman, Emilienne Elavagnon,
a fish seller at the Cotonou Fishing Port, says
that the bank’s loan enabled her to increase
her business and move out of poverty. Now, her business
profits augment her business capital and pay her children’s
school fees.
USAID/Benin also supports Vital Finance
with its micro-credit programs for poor women and other
vulnerable people.
