Benin

Published in June 2025

International and regional conventions:

• United Nations Convention Against Corruption (2003) ratified on October 14^th, 2004
• African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (2003) ratified on September 20^th, 2007
• Revised Treaty of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) (1993) 
• ECOWAS Protocol on the fight against corruption (2001)

Legislation: 

•  The Constitution of December 11^th, 1990
  • Article 23 “right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, worship, opinion, and expression in accordance with the public order established by law and regulations”, and ensures “freedom and protection of the press”. 
  • Article 24 “Freedom of the press is recognised and guaranteed by the State. It is protected by the High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication under the conditions set by an organic law.”
•   Penal Code, 2018
•   Labor Code, 1998

Laws and measures related to whistleblowers

• Décret n° 2013-122 du 06 Mars 2013 portant conditions de protection spéciale des dénonciateurs, des témoins, des experts et victimes des actes de corruption     
• Décret No. 2022-040 du 19 janvier 2022 portant création à la Présidence de la République, d’une Cellule d’analyse et de traitement des plaintes et dénonciations

Financial crimes

• Loi n°2011-20 du 12 Octobre 2011 portant lutte contre la corruption et autres infractions connexes en République du Bénin. 
• Loi organique n°2010-05 du 3 septembre 2010 fixant la liste des hauts fonctionnaires de l’Etat dont la nomination est faite en conseil des ministres (2010)  
• Loi n° 2018-17 du 25 juillet 2018 relative à la lutte contre le blanchiment de capitaux et le financement du terrorisme en République du Bénin  (2018)
• Loi n°2020-25 du 2 septembre 2020portant modification de la loi n°2018-17 relative à la lutte contre le blanchiment de capitaux et le financement du terrorisme en République du Bénin (2020)

Media rights and freedom of information

• Loi n° 2015-07 du 20 mars 2015 portant code de l’information et de la Communication en République du Bénin
• Loi n°2017-20 portant code du numérique en République du Bénin

Institutions:

• Cellule d’Analyse et de Traitement des Plaintes et Dénonciations (Complaints and Whistleblower Processing and Analysis Unit)
• High Commission for the Prevention of Corruption in the Republic of Benin
  • Loi No. 2020-09 du 23 avril 2020 portant création, mission, organisation et fonctionnement du Haut-Commissariat à la prévention de la corruption en République du Bénin
• Décret n°2022-563 du 12 octobre 2022 portant création et approbation des statuts de l’Agence nationale de Recouvrement des Avoirs confisqués et saisis

Programs and policies:

• Social Watch Benin 

Law proposals:

Benin has not enacted specific legislation dedicated to whistleblower protection.

In recent years, the issue of adopting a dedicated whistleblower protection law has gained increasing attention. While such legislation has yet to materialise, the push for reform is gaining momentum, driven by several key dynamics:

• Mounting pressure from civil society, which is playing a growing role in denouncing misconduct and advocating for transparency.
• Recommendations from international partners, especially in the context of implementing the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
• Regional commitments, notably within ECOWAS and WAEMU, require member states to establish secure reporting channels and protect those who speak out.

Against this backdrop, several NGOs and civil society coalitions have emerged as key advocates for change. Organisations such as Social Watch Benin, Amnesty International, and various citizen-led platforms have been actively campaigning for a legal framework that is protective, clear, and empowering. Their advocacy underscores the urgent need to equip the country with a legal mechanism that both protects whistleblowers and prevents abuse of the reporting system.

Several recent cases — involving investigative journalists and public officials who exposed misconduct — have exposed the legal vacuum that currently leaves whistleblowers vulnerable. In several instances, these individuals faced professional reprisals, threats, or harassment, sparking public outrage and fuelling renewed calls for comprehensive legal reform.

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