Four units of Tata LPO 1318 A/C buses were donated by the Government of India to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Government of Benin.

Benin, officially the Republic of Benin, is a country in West Africa. It borders Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east and Burkina Faso and Niger to the north. Its small southern coastline on the Bight of Benin is where a majority of the population is located. The capital of Benin is Porto-Novo, but the seat of government is located in the country's largest city of Cotonou. Benin covers an area of approximately 110,000 square kilometres (42,000 square miles), with a population of approximately 8.8 million. Benin is a tropical, sub-Saharan nation, highly dependent on agriculture, with substantial employment and income arising from subsistence farming.

This is one of Tata Africa Holdings' (Tata Africa's) key markets on the African continent.

The Indian high commissioner, Mahesh Sachdev; the consul general of the Indian high commission in Benin, Ashok Mirchandani, and Remy Yessoufou, authorised dealer, Tata Africa, were among the key participants in this handover function.

The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, professor Francois Adebayo Abiola; director for Asia and Oceania — Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fayomi Jerome, and the registrar of the National University of Benin, Norbert Awanou, were present as representatives from the Government of Benin.

Two buses are to ply in the city of Cotonou and the other two in the city of Parakou. These buses will be used to transport students to the two main centres for higher learning as well as to the laboratories and clinics where research is taking place.

Tata Africa confirmed its commitment to a long-term vision for Africa and to continually broaden its footprint on the continent. By way of donating these four buses to help further higher education in Benin, it demonstrates the Tata principle of stewardship, namely to 'give back' to the community in which it operates.

As a closing gesture, Tata Africa also conducted a hands-on demonstration and a training session to the recipients on how to operate and maintain the buses