Bénin Koguèmey: Dragage Sable Autorisation Confirmed Amid Protests

• A sand dredging site in Koguèmey, Ouidah, Benin, is currently inactive but shows signs of prior installation, three weeks after local protests.
• Local communities, including fishermen and salt farmers, protested on August 26, 2026, citing environmental concerns and disruption to their livelihoods.
• Authorities confirm the project holds all necessary authorizations for extraction and is in an installation phase, stating the current halt is not due to protests.
• A government delegation met with residents after the protests, agreeing the promoter must enable communities to continue their activities.
• Lagunar sand dredging in Benin is regulated by several environmental laws, including Law N°98-030, and follows a 2008 decree banning coastal sand extraction.

This incident underscores the critical importance of robust community engagement and social impact assessments, even when projects like the Bénin Koguèmey dragage sable autorisation are fully compliant with legal requirements.

The sand dredging site at Koguèmey, situated in Avlékété within the Ouidah commune, currently presents a scene of quietude, three weeks following significant local protests. As of September 22, 2026, the area around the "Djessin" lagoon shows no signs of active machinery, workers, or truck movements. Despite the present calm, remnants of an ongoing installation are visible: an engine floats on the water, an excavator remains stationary on land, a stock of pumped sand is evident, and buoys mark the perimeter of the designated zone.

This tranquility follows a period of intense opposition from local communities. Fishermen, salt farmers, and residents from nearby villages, including Agbanzin-Kpota and Avlékété, voiced strong objections to the project. Their primary concerns revolved around the potential negative **impact environnemental dragage Ouidah** and the disruption to their traditional livelihoods. Residents reported discovering the project only upon the arrival of heavy equipment, fueling their apprehension.

A major mobilization on August 26 prompted a swift response from authorities. Following the protests, a government delegation, comprising Raphaël Akotegnon, the Prefect of Atlantique, Christian Houétchénou, the Mayor of Ouidah, and the Head of the Avlékété district, convened a meeting with the affected communities. During these discussions, it was agreed that the project promoter would implement measures to ensure local populations could continue their customary activities, acknowledging the persistent anxieties among residents.

Despite the public outcry, officials confirm that the **autorisation extraction sable Koguèmey** is fully in order. According to Médard Gbenato Yebe, the Head of the Avlékété district, the company has secured all necessary approvals from the authorities and is currently in an installation phase. He clarified that the apparent cessation of activity is not a direct consequence of the community protests, but rather reflects that the dredging operations had not yet commenced.

The district head also affirmed that an information session was indeed organized with the local populations. This suggests an attempt by the project developers and authorities to engage with the community, albeit one that seemingly did not fully alleviate concerns or prevent the initial protests. The situation highlights a disconnect between formal regulatory compliance and perceived community engagement.

The practice of sand dredging in Benin gained prominence around 2009, emerging as an alternative to coastal sand extraction, which was prohibited to combat erosion. This shift was largely driven by **Décret 2008-615 Bénin sable**, issued on October 22, 2008, which explicitly banned sand removal from beaches. However, this decree does permit the extraction of marine sand for construction purposes at state-authorized locations.

**Dragage sable lagunaire Bénin réglementation** is subject to a comprehensive environmental framework. Key legislation governing this activity includes **Loi 98-030 environnement Bénin** (Law N°98-030 of February 12, 1999), which serves as the framework law on the environment. Further regulatory oversight is provided by Law N°2010-44 concerning water management, Law N°2018-18 on climate change, and Law N°2018-10 pertaining to the protection, development, and enhancement of the coastal zone. In 2024, the government initiated a significant reorganization of lagunar dredging activities within the Grand Nokoué region, focusing on site delimitation, reserve evaluation, and environmental monitoring. This regulatory push led to the suspension of approximately ten non-compliant sites in the Abomey-Calavi commune by local authorities in 2026, demonstrating active enforcement.

The situation at Koguèmey exemplifies the complex challenges inherent in large-scale resource extraction projects, particularly when they intersect with local communities and sensitive environments. Despite the project's possession of a valid **Bénin Koguèmey dragage sable autorisation**, the initial lack of awareness among residents and their subsequent protests underscore the critical importance of robust community engagement and social impact assessments. The official confirmation that the site is authorized and the company is in an installation phase does not fully address the underlying anxieties of those whose livelihoods depend directly on the lagoon.

This incident underscores the critical importance of robust community engagement and social impact assessments, even when projects like the **Bénin Koguèmey dragage sable autorisation** are fully compliant with legal requirements. The ongoing concerns of local populations, despite official assurances and regulatory approvals, highlight the necessity for project developers and authorities to proactively involve communities from the earliest stages. Effective communication and transparent processes are essential to mitigate potential conflicts and ensure the sustainable implementation of such ventures, preventing disruptions even to authorized operations.

Lawyers advising on or involved in large-scale infrastructure or resource extraction projects in Benin must ensure comprehensive community engagement and social impact assessments are conducted in addition to securing all legal permits, as this case demonstrates active regulatory oversight and the potential for public opposition to disrupt even authorized operations.

Source: Original reporting via source article