The leaders of SIPI-BENIN S.A and CDC Bénin highlighted the country’s industrial and financial strategy at the Africa Forward | Inspire & Connect event in Kenya. The gathering, supported by key French financial institutions, served as a platform to showcase Benin’s investment potential to global economic and financial partners.
During the forum, the two Beninese executives outlined a development model centered on local raw material processing, industrialization, and long-term capital mobilization. A major focus was the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ), positioned as a cornerstone of Benin’s economic transformation strategy.
GDIZ: the engine of Benin’s industrialization
Létondji Beheton, CEO of SIPI-BENIN S.A, shared insights into his transition from international financial institutions to Benin’s public sector in 2016, driven by a commitment to improving the business environment and advancing industrial projects. He emphasized the rapid expansion of GDIZ, a 1,640-hectare economic zone now home to over twenty operational factories and responsible for creating around 25,000 jobs.
Addressing the challenges of industrialization in Africa, Beheton cited energy costs, access to competitive financing, and logistics infrastructure as critical hurdles. To counter these obstacles, Benin is investing in industrial, energy, and logistics infrastructure to boost local processing of agricultural commodities like cotton and cashew nuts. As one of Africa’s leading cotton producers, the country is prioritizing value addition to raw materials before export.
CDC Bénin mobilizes long-term capital for industrial growth
Maryse Lokossou, CEO of CDC Bénin, detailed the role of the state-backed investment fund established in 2018. Designed as a sovereign wealth vehicle, CDC Bénin focuses on mobilizing long-term resources to finance strategic projects that align with the country’s economic transformation goals.
Lokossou highlighted CDC Bénin’s role in supporting investments that enhance local processing of cotton and cashew nuts. Recent data shows that 13% of Benin’s raw cotton is now processed domestically, while nearly half of exported cashew nuts undergo local transformation. These initiatives are expected to create job opportunities for young workers and strengthen industrial skill development across the country.
Bénin seeks foreign investment to accelerate industrialization
Addressing the audience at the Kenya forum, the Beninese representatives extended an invitation to international investors. Lokossou underscored CDC Bénin’s readiness to partner with project developers, helping mitigate risks associated with industrial investments. Beheton, meanwhile, stressed the urgency of accelerating investment flows to support the country’s industrial ambitions.
The executives presented Benin as a structured ecosystem, combining robust industrial infrastructure, financial support, and strong political will. Their participation at the event aimed to enhance the country’s appeal to foreign partners and attract fresh capital into sectors like industrial processing, energy, and infrastructure development.