At the opening of the inaugural Expo Avicole in Cotonou, the government of Bénin unveiled a bold roadmap: achieving 100,000 tonnes of poultry production by 2033. Currently facing a structural deficit of 80,000 tonnes met through massive imports, the nation is treating this challenge as a macroeconomic priority rather than just a food security issue. This national strategy aims to convert capital flight into a powerful engine for local industrial growth.
The Palais des Congrès in Cotonou served as the strategic center for this economic shift on Thursday, June 25, 2026. By launching the first edition of the Expo Avicole, authorities in Bénin have done more than just open a trade fair; they have established the foundation for a major productive recovery plan. The current diagnosis is stark: while citizens consume at least 100,000 tonnes of poultry meat and eggs annually, local farmers produce only 20,000 tonnes. This gap represents a significant financial drain on the country.
Ending the unsustainable drain on foreign reserves
For Bénin, importing eighty percent of its poultry needs means billions of CFA francs are funneled into external economies every year. In an era of global price volatility and supply chain disruptions, this dependency is a macroeconomic vulnerability that the state is determined to eliminate.
Representing President Romuald Wadagni, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, Adin Yeton Bloukounon Goubalan, was clear in his opening remarks. The primary goal of this initiative is to keep capital within national borders. By localizing production, the government intends to do more than feed the population; it seeks to rebalance the nation’s trade. Every tonne of chicken raised in Bénin is a victory against currency outflow and a direct investment in the local industrial fabric.
The pillars of the Bénin Vert 2033 vision
This poultry offensive is part of a long-term strategy known as Vision Bénin Vert 2033. This program identifies “protein sovereignty” as a national security imperative. To reverse the current trend in less than a decade, the executive branch recognizes the need for a collaborative approach.
The strategy relies on the vertical integration of the industry through large-scale alliances. While the state acts as a facilitator and regulator, success depends on the commitment of private investors and financial institutions, which have historically been hesitant to fund the agricultural sector. The Minister emphasized a comprehensive approach, noting that the future of the industry depends on the collective ability to produce, process, and create value locally.
Beyond financial balances, the expected social return is significant. The development of hatcheries, feed mills, and modern processing centers is seen as a source of massive employment, particularly for youth and women, who are the backbone of the rural and peri-urban economy.
A united industry through interprofessional collaboration
The success of this “Marshall Plan” for poultry depends on the alignment of all stakeholders. This is the core mission of the salon, initiated by the Interprofession Avicole du Bénin (IAB). For the first time, the entire value chain has gathered in one place: producers, feed manufacturers, veterinarians, distributors, and researchers.
Léon Anago, president of the IAB, believes the event will serve as a catalyst to transform scattered initiatives into a structured industry capable of securing bank financing and attracting capital. The goal is to prove that poultry farming in Bénin is no longer a subsistence activity but a highly profitable market and a major lever for economic growth.
Strengthening expertise through the Cotonou-Rabat axis
To accelerate technical and commercial upgrades, Bénin is leveraging South-South partnerships, specifically with Morocco. The Interprofessional Federation of the Poultry Sector in Morocco (FISA) provided essential technical and logistical support for the event.
The presence of Ahmed El Bouari, the Moroccan Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, underscores the political weight of this partnership. Morocco, having successfully modernized its own poultry sector in recent decades, stands as a primary strategic partner. During the event, the Moroccan minister praised the structural reforms undertaken in Cotonou, stating that this cooperation builds the foundation for shared prosperity and expanded food sovereignty across the African continent.
Building a new model of African resilience
As the initial sessions concluded, a clear consensus emerged: Bénin’s struggle for protein self-sufficiency reflects a continent-wide challenge. By striving to produce what it consumes, the country is attempting to escape the traps of import dependency.
The challenge is significant, and the countdown to 2033 has begun. To reach the 100,000-tonne target, the industry must quintuple its production in seven years. This ambitious quantitative and qualitative leap, if successful, will demonstrate that rigorous agricultural policy can serve as a country’s strongest macroeconomic shield.