During the inaugural Expo Avicole in Cotonou, the Beninese government unveiled a bold vision: to achieve an annual production of 100,000 tonnes of poultry products by 2033. This ambitious target addresses a significant structural deficit of 80,000 tonnes, currently met through extensive imports. The challenge isn’t merely about food security; it carries profound macroeconomic implications. This national strategy aims to transform a substantial capital outflow into a powerful engine for local economic growth.

On Thursday, June 25, 2026, the Palais des Congrès in Cotonou became the epicenter of an economic reconquest. The launch of the first Salon Expo Avicole by Beninese authorities was more than a mere trade fair; it marked the foundational step of a major productive recovery plan.

The initial assessment, widely acknowledged by all stakeholders in the sector, reveals a striking imbalance: 100,000 versus 20,000. Beninese consumers annually consume at least 100,000 tonnes of poultry meat and eggs, while local producers only supply 20,000 tonnes. This 80,000-tonne gap represents not just a logistical hurdle, but a severe financial drain on the nation’s resources.

The financial imperative: stemming an unsustainable currency outflow

For Benin, importing four-fifths of its poultry consumption means channeling billions of CFA francs into external economies each year. In an era marked by fluctuating global prices and supply chain disruptions, this dependency poses a macroeconomic vulnerability that the state is now determined to eliminate.

Representing President Romuald Wadagni, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, Adin Yeton Bloukounon Goubalan, delivered a direct message during his opening address. The primary goal of this initiative is to retain these vital capital flows within national borders. By re-establishing local production, the government seeks not only to feed its populace but also to fundamentally restructure the country’s trade balance. Every tonne of chicken produced in Benin represents a victory against foreign currency leakage and a direct investment in the local industrial fabric.

Horizon 2033: pillars of the “Vision Bénin Vert” plan

This comprehensive poultry offensive is an integral part of a long-term roadmap: the Vision Bénin Vert 2033. This national program elevates “protein sovereignty” to a national security imperative. To reverse the current trend in under a decade, the executive branch recognizes that it cannot act in isolation.

The strategy hinges on vertical integration across the entire sector, realized through a large-scale collaborative alliance. The state will serve as a facilitator and regulator, but success will ultimately depend on the active engagement of private investors and financial institutions, which have historically been hesitant to fund the agricultural sector.

The Minister emphasized a holistic approach, stating: « The future of our poultry industry will depend on our collective ability to produce more, process more, and create more value within our territory. »

Beyond the critical financial balances, the anticipated return on investment is also profoundly social. The expansion of hatcheries, livestock feed manufacturing plants, and modern processing centers is seen as a significant source of job creation, primarily targeting youth and women, who are vital pillars of both rural and peri-urban economies.

A mobilized sector united under interprofessional leadership

The success of this comprehensive poultry development plan for Benin will largely hinge on the alignment of ground-level stakeholders. This was the core purpose of the Salon, an initiative driven by the Interprofession avicole du Bénin (IAB). For the first time, the entire value chain converged in one space: producers, feed manufacturers, veterinarians, distributors, and researchers.

For Léon Anago, president of the interprofessional body, this Salon is designed to act as a powerful catalyst. The aim is to transform previously scattered initiatives into a structured industry, capable of reassuring banks and attracting essential capital. The objective is to demonstrate that Benin’s poultry sector 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, Benin is leveraging South-South partnerships, notably with Morocco. The Moroccan Interprofessional Federation of the Poultry Sector (FISA) provided crucial technical and logistical support for organizing the event.

The presence in Cotonou of Ahmed El Bouari, the Moroccan Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water, and Forests, underscores the political significance of this collaboration. Morocco, having successfully modernized its own poultry sector over recent decades, stands as a strategic, first-tier partner.

Addressing the assembly of Beninese professionals, the Moroccan Minister commended the structural reforms undertaken by Cotonou. In his view, this cooperation transcends simple diplomatic ties; it lays the groundwork for shared prosperity and expanded food sovereignty across the African continent.

Towards a new model of African resilience

As the initial working sessions concluded, a clear consensus emerged: Benin’s struggle for protein self-sufficiency mirrors a broader continental challenge. By striving to produce what it consumes, the nation endeavors to escape the pitfalls of import dependence.

The task is immense, and the countdown to 2033 has begun. To increase production from 20,000 to 100,000 tonnes, the Beninese poultry sector must achieve a fivefold increase in just seven years. This ambitious quantitative and qualitative leap, if successful, will prove that rigorous agricultural policy management can indeed become the most effective macroeconomic shield for a developing nation.