ARMP Bénin: PRMP Ministère Energie Exclusion for 10 Years

• Bénin's ARMP has imposed a ten-year public procurement exclusion on the PRMP of the Ministry of Energy, Water, and Mines.
• The decision, dated August 13, 2026, also annulled two procurement procedures initiated by the Ministry.
• The sanction was issued due to failures by Madame Bahounon Séverine Alassumi, the PRMP, to comply with public procurement advertising rules.
• This action highlights the strict enforcement of public procurement regulations by the Autorité de Régulation des Marchés Publics in Bénin.

The ten-year exclusion from public procurement represents one of the most stringent sanctions available under Bénin's regulatory framework for public contracts.

The Autorité de Régulation des Marchés Publics (ARMP) in Bénin has issued a significant sanction against the Personne Responsable des Marchés Publics (PRMP) within the Ministry of Energy, Water, and Mines. This decisive action, formalized on August 13, 2026, imposes a ten-year exclusion from all public procurement activities for the PRMP. The ruling underscores the regulatory body's commitment to upholding stringent standards in the nation's public contracting processes.

Specifically, Madame Bahounon Séverine Alassumi, who was the PRMP for the Ministry at the time of the sanction, has been directly impacted by this far-reaching decision. The ARMP's pronouncement not only bars her from participating in public tenders for a decade but also mandates the immediate annulment of two distinct public procurement procedures that the Ministry had initiated. These annulments signify a complete halt to the affected contracting processes, requiring a re-evaluation or restart of those specific projects.

The severe penalties levied by the Autorité de Régulation des Marchés Publics stem from documented failures to comply with established advertising regulations governing public contracts in Bénin. The ARMP identified significant shortcomings in how the Ministry of Energy, Water, and Mines, through its PRMP, managed the publicity requirements for its procurement processes. Adherence to these rules is a cornerstone of transparent and fair competition within the framework of Bénin's public procurement law.

These advertising stipulations are designed to ensure that all potential bidders have equitable access to information regarding upcoming tenders, fostering a competitive environment and preventing undue advantage. The non-conformity with publicity requirements for markets in Bénin, as determined by the ARMP, indicates a deviation from these fundamental principles. The regulatory body, tasked with overseeing the integrity of the nation's public purchasing system, found these breaches serious enough to warrant both a lengthy exclusion and the cancellation of active contracts.

The ten-year exclusion from public procurement represents one of the most stringent sanctions available under Bénin's regulatory framework for public contracts. Such a lengthy ban effectively removes the sanctioned individual from any involvement in the public tendering process for a considerable period, sending a clear message about the gravity of procedural non-compliance. This particular ARMP exclusion against the PRMP of the Ministry of Energy, Water, and Mines highlights the rigorous enforcement posture adopted by the Autorité de Régulation des Marchés Publics Bénin.

Furthermore, the annulment of two ongoing procurement procedures carries immediate and significant operational implications for the Ministry. These cancellations disrupt project timelines, potentially incur additional costs, and necessitate a complete re-evaluation of how these specific public markets will be handled moving forward. This outcome underscores the critical importance for all government entities and their responsible officers to meticulously adhere to every aspect of the droit des marchés publics Bénin, particularly concerning the initial stages of publicizing tender opportunities, to avoid similar severe repercussions.

This decisive action by the ARMP serves as a potent reminder to all stakeholders involved in Bénin's public contracting landscape that strict adherence to regulatory requirements, especially those pertaining to transparency and fair competition through proper advertising, is non-negotiable. The sanction against Madame Bahounon Séverine Alassumi and the subsequent annulment of contracts demonstrate the ARMP's unwavering commitment to maintaining the integrity and fairness of the nation's public procurement system.

This case highlights the strict enforcement by Benin's ARMP regarding public procurement rules, particularly advertising. Lawyers and compliance officers advising on public tenders in Benin must ensure meticulous adherence to all procedural requirements to avoid severe sanctions like 10-year exclusions and contract annulments.

Source: Original reporting via Beninese news outlets.