Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus was decorated with the 'Order of Benin' by President of Benin Dr Boni Yayi at a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Cotonou yesterday.
Prof Yunus is on a one-day visit to the West African nation at the invitation of its president.
The government of Benin is launching micro-finance for the poor as a national strategy and has invited Prof Yunus to share his experiences in this regard.
The founder of Grameen Bank delivered a special lecture at the Palace. President, cabinet ministers and other top policymakers of the country were present at the lecture session.
He also visited a poverty alleviation project, which included 5000 micro-credit borrowers.