A historic sanction imposed by the ARMP Regulatory Council

The Regulatory Council of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (ARMP) has made public a final decision: Mr. BELKO AROUNA, then Public Procurement Officer (PRMP) of the Commune of Gogounou, is excluded from public procurement for a duration of five years. This sanction, formalized by decision n° 2026-106/ARMP/PR-CR/CD/SP/DRA/SA dated October 15, 2026, applies retroactively from October 19, 2026, and will end on October 18, 2031. According to the ARMP, this measure aims to sanction serious breaches of the fundamental principles governing public procurement, particularly those related to the equal treatment of candidates and the transparency of procedures.

This five-year exclusion sends a clear message to Public Procurement Officers and local authorities in Benin about the importance of transparency and equality in procedures.

Reasons for exclusion: equality and transparency undermined

The decision by the ARMP Regulatory Council does not detail the specific acts alleged against monsieur BELKO AROUNA, but it highlights violations of the principles of equal treatment of bidders and transparency in procedures. These principles, central to public procurement, ensure a fair framework for all economic actors. For the ARMP, these shortcomings represent an attack on the credibility of the system and justify an exemplary sanction. The attached file decision-n2026-106.pdf, available on the authority’s official website, should provide additional details on the alleged facts.

What this changes here: a strong signal for PRMPs and local authorities

This five-year exclusion sends a clear message to Public Procurement Officers (PRMPs) and local authorities in Benin. For businesses and public administrations, this could strengthen vigilance in selecting the actors responsible for managing public procurement, where any breach of equality and transparency rules could result in similar sanctions. Local authorities, such as the Commune of Gogounou, will now have to ensure that their PRMPs strictly adhere to procedures, or risk seeing their officials excluded from the public procurement process. This could also encourage better training for PRMPs on the issues of integrity and ethics in public procurement management.

For private actors, this decision underscores the importance of transparency in tendering processes. Bidding companies may demand additional guarantees regarding the regularity of procedures, knowing that any procedural irregularity or bias could be penalized by the ARMP. Ultimately, this case could serve as an example for other local governments in West Africa, where public procurement remains a key issue in governance and economic development.

The ARMP, guardian of public markets: what role in this framework?

The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (ARMP) positions itself as the central authority responsible for ensuring compliance with rules in the field of public procurement in Benin. Its Regulatory Council, composed of experts, has the power to impose disciplinary sanctions, as in the case of Mr. BELKO AROUNA. This decision highlights the growing role of the ARMP in combating opaque practices and promoting ethical public procurement. For businesses and administrations, this means the authority now has a strengthened legal arsenal to penalize breaches, which should contribute to better discipline in the management of public markets.