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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Eromo Egbejule in Cotonou and Porto Novo

Economic growth and democratic decline: the ‘cotton king’ who reshaped Benin

Patrice Talon smiles while walking with officials in suits outdoors
Patrice Talon (centre) arrives for the inaugural session of Benin’s senate in Porto-Novo on 30 July. He has since become senate president. Photograph: Charles Placide Tossou/Reuters

In recent years, a building boom has reshaped Benin’s largest city, Cotonou, and a shiny new coastal road has reduced journey times to Ouidah, the west African country’s spiritual and cultural capital.

In the last decade, Benin’s annual GDP has grown from 3% to 6%, a regional high, and an industrial zone has been launched north-west of Cotonou to help industrialise the relatively small nation’s largely informal economy.

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