In a bold move to bolster its economy and ensure food security, the Béninois government recently unveiled an ambitious strategy to achieve 100,000 tonnes of domestic poultry production by 2033. This initiative, launched at the inaugural Salon Expo Avicole in Cotonou, directly confronts a significant structural deficit of 80,000 tonnes currently met by extensive imports. The stakes are not merely about feeding the nation; they encompass a crucial macroeconomic objective to transform capital outflow into robust local growth.
The Palais des Congrès in Cotonou transformed into a hub for economic resurgence on Thursday, June 25, 2026. The launch of the first Salon Expo Avicole by Béninois authorities marked more than just the opening of a trade fair; it signified the foundational step of a comprehensive national plan for productive recovery.
The underlying challenge, universally acknowledged by industry stakeholders, is starkly illustrated by two figures: 100,000 and 20,000. Annually, Béninois consumers require approximately 100,000 tonnes of poultry meat and eggs. However, local producers contribute a mere 20,000 tonnes. This substantial 80,000-tonne disparity is not merely a logistical hurdle but a severe financial drain on the national economy.
Halting the unsustainable outflow of foreign currency
For Bénin, importing four-fifths of its poultry consumption translates into billions of CFA francs injected into external economies each year. Amidst global price volatility and supply chain disruptions, this profound dependency poses a macroeconomic vulnerability that the state is now determined to eliminate.
Representing President Romuald Wadagni, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, Adin Yeton Bloukounon Goubalan, delivered a unequivocal opening address. He emphasized that the primary goal of this initiative is to retain these vital funds within the national territory. By repatriating production, the government aims not only to nourish its populace but also to fundamentally restructure the country’s trade balance. Every tonne of chicken produced within Bénin represents a victory against currency flight and a direct investment in the local industrial fabric.
Vision Bénin Vert 2033: pillars of the poultry offensive
This strategic push in the poultry sector is an integral component of a broader long-term roadmap: Vision Bénin Vert 2033. This national program elevates "protein sovereignty" to a national security imperative. To reverse the current trend in less than a decade, the executive branch recognizes that solitary action will not suffice.
The strategy hinges on vertical integration across the value chain, manifesting as a large-scale alliance. While the state will act as a facilitator and regulator, success will ultimately depend on the active engagement of private investors and financial institutions, which have historically been cautious about funding the agricultural sector.
The Minister underscored the need for a holistic approach, stating, « The future of our aviculture will depend on our collective capacity to produce more, process more, and create more value within our territory. »
Beyond the significant financial implications, the expected return on investment also carries a profound social dimension. The development of hatcheries, animal feed manufacturing plants, and modern processing centers is anticipated to generate a massive number of jobs, specifically targeting youth and women, who are crucial pillars of the rural and peri-urban economy.
A unified industry mobilizes around the interprofessional body
The success of this comprehensive plan for Béninois poultry hinges significantly on the unified alignment of all stakeholders. This was the core purpose of the salon, organized by the Interprofession Avicole du Bénin (IAB). For the first time, every segment of the value chain converged in one space: producers, feed manufacturers, veterinarians, distributors, and researchers.
According to Léon Anago, president of the interprofessional body, this salon is designed to be a catalyst. Its objective is to transform previously scattered initiatives into a structured industry, capable of reassuring banks and attracting essential capital. The challenge is to demonstrate that Béninois aviculture is no longer merely a subsistence activity but a highly profitable market and a major driver of economic growth for the nation.
The Cotonou-Rabat axis: a lever for expertise transfer
To accelerate this technical and commercial upgrade, Bénin is leveraging South-South partnerships, notably with Morocco. The Fédération Interprofessionnelle du Secteur Avicole du Maroc (FISA) provided crucial technical and logistical support for the event’s organization.
The presence of Ahmed El Bouari, Moroccan Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, in Cotonou underscored the political significance of this collaborative axis. Morocco, having successfully modernized its own poultry sector over recent decades, is positioned as a leading strategic partner.
Addressing the assembly of Béninois professionals, the Moroccan minister lauded the structural reforms undertaken by Cotonou. He articulated that this cooperation transcends mere diplomatic relations, laying the groundwork for shared prosperity and expanded food sovereignty across the African continent.
Forging a new model of African resilience
As the initial working sessions concluded, a clear consensus emerged: Bénin’s determined effort to achieve protein self-sufficiency mirrors a broader continental challenge. By striving to produce what it consumes, the nation endeavors to extricate itself from the pitfalls of import dependence.
The task ahead is immense, and the countdown to 2033 has begun. To escalate production from 20,000 to 100,000 tonnes, the Béninois poultry sector must quintuple its output in just seven years. This ambitious quantitative and qualitative leap, if successful, will powerfully demonstrate that a rigorous agricultural policy can indeed become the most effective macroeconomic shield for a developing nation.
