Introduction

This section is the city profile for Sèmè-Podji. The profile attempts to present the most important information about Sèmè-Podji and the ASToN project, drawing on information gathered through a questionnaire and a two-day city visit.
Over the course of the city visit, the ASToN team facilitated workshops with the Sèmè-Podji City Council to understand their ambitions and concerns for the project.

About the city

Sèmè-Podji is a town in the Ouémé department of south-eastern Benin. It lies to the south of the capital Porto-Novo, to the east of the port city of Cotonou, and 100km to the west of the Nigerian capital Lagos. It therefore finds itself in a connected position, and is experiencing rapid demographic growth. From a population of 222,701 inhabitants according to the fourth general census of 2013, the city has now reached about 400,000 inhabitants in 2020. The city is also developing quickly in an economic sense, from the construction of a deep water port in particular. Finally, the city benefits from the national development initiative “Benin rélévé” that aims to create an innovation hub, “Sémé City”, in the urban area.

About the ASToN member

The ASToN member is the city council of the commune of Sèmè-Podji, led by the mayor and composed of 25 members. The city hall is responsible for the administration of Sèmè-Podji’s 6 Arrondissements through 13 governmental services.
The city council is the result of a decentralisation process from the national government. Central government still has a strong position in the governance of the town.

The Commune of Sèmè-Podji is administered by an elected municipal council, the legislative body, which is composed of twenty-five councilors. The Mayor has executive functions, and is assisted by a Secretary General, who coordinates the activities of the thirteen administrative and technical services. The Heads of Department carry out their activities in accordance with the Annual Development Plan (PAD) adopted by the Communal Council.