The launch of the first-ever Cotonou Poultry Expo at the Palais des Congrès marked a turning point for Benin’s economy. Under the banner of Vision Bénin Vert 2033, the government is waging a decisive battle—not just to feed its people, but to shield its finances from the relentless drain of foreign currency.
From import dependency to local production: the numbers don’t lie
Every year, Beninese households consume 100,000 tonnes of poultry meat and eggs. Yet local farmers currently supply only 20,000 tonnes. That 80,000-tonne gap forces the country to import the vast majority of its protein needs, sending billions of CFA francs abroad annually. In an era of global price swings and supply chain disruptions, this dependence has become an unsustainable burden on national finances.
Speaking on behalf of President Romuald Wadagni, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Adin Yeton Bloukounon Goubalan, delivered a blunt message: “Each tonne of chicken produced in Benin is a tonne of foreign exchange retained at home.” The goal is clear: reverse the flow of capital by building a robust domestic poultry industry that strengthens the trade balance and fuels local industry.
Vision Bénin Vert 2033: a roadmap for protein sovereignty
The poultry drive is the centerpiece of a broader strategy—Vision Bénin Vert 2033—that elevates “protein self-sufficiency” to a matter of national security. To hit the 100,000-tonne target by 2033, Benin cannot rely solely on government action. Success demands a tripartite alliance: public regulators to set the framework, private investors to fund expansion, and financial institutions to ease access to capital.
The minister outlined a three-pronged approach: produce more, process more, and add more value on home soil. The blueprint includes:
- Expanding hatcheries and feed mills to secure a steady supply of chicks and high-quality feed
- Building modern processing plants to capture downstream revenue
- Targeting youth and women in rural and peri-urban areas with targeted employment programs
A united front: the Interprofessional Poultry Association takes charge
The Expo served as a rallying point for the entire poultry value chain, convening producers, feed manufacturers, veterinarians, distributors and researchers under one roof. Léon Anago, President of the Interprofessional Poultry Association of Benin (IAB), framed the event as a catalyst: “This salon isn’t just a trade fair—it’s the birth of a structured industry capable of convincing banks to open their vaults.”
The IAB’s mission is to prove that Benin’s poultry sector is no longer a subsistence activity, but a high-return market poised to become a major engine of economic growth.
South-South cooperation: Morocco shares hard-won expertise
To fast-track modernization, Benin has forged a strategic partnership with Morocco. The Fédération Interprofessionnelle du Secteur Avicole (FISA) provided critical technical and logistical support for the Expo. The visit of Moroccan Minister Ahmed El Bouari underscored the depth of the alliance, as Rabat—having successfully revamped its own poultry sector—positions itself as a model and ally.
In his remarks, the Moroccan minister hailed Cotonou’s structural reforms, calling the partnership a stepping-stone toward shared prosperity and broader African food sovereignty.
2033: A continental test case for resilience
As delegates wrapped up the first round of workshops, one truth emerged: Benin’s quest for protein self-sufficiency mirrors a continental challenge. By producing what it consumes, the country is attempting to break free from the cycle of import dependence that has long constrained African economies.
The task ahead is daunting: multiply domestic output fivefold in just seven years. Achieving that leap would not only secure Benin’s food future, but also demonstrate that disciplined agricultural policy can serve as the most potent shield against macroeconomic shocks in a developing nation.
