Cotonou 2033: Benin’s bold plan to slash poultry imports and boost local growth

The first ever Cotonou Poultry Expo has become the symbolic launchpad of a historic drive: Benin is determined to produce 100,000 tonnes of poultry products annually by 2033. The move is not merely about filling dinner plates; it is about plugging a widening financial leak that has drained billions in foreign reserves for years.

From import strain to industrial opportunity

Every year Benin imports roughly 80,000 tonnes of poultry meat and eggs to meet local demand of 100,000 tonnes. Domestic producers currently supply only 20,000 tonnes, leaving a yawning supply gap that costs the economy dearly. By slashing these imports, the government aims to keep hundreds of millions of francs CFA circulating inside the country, strengthening the balance of trade and shielding the economy from global price shocks.

Vision Bénin Vert 2033: turning protein hunger into wealth

The poultry offensive is the spearhead of the long-term Vision Bénin Vert 2033, a roadmap that places protein self-sufficiency at the heart of national security. Success demands more than government action—it requires a full-scale alliance between private investors, banks, and the entire poultry value chain.

At the expo, the Minister of Agriculture, Adin Yeton Bloukounon Goubalan, underlined the shared stakes: “Every tonne of chicken raised and every egg laid in Benin is a step toward economic resilience and local job creation.”

Building an integrated poultry powerhouse

To hit the 100,000-tonne target by 2033, Benin will focus on three pillars:

• Feed factories: new plants to slash import dependence on raw materials.
• Modern hatcheries: upgraded incubators to boost chick supply.
• Processing hubs: value-added plants to transform raw meat into higher-margin products.

These investments are expected to create thousands of jobs, with special attention to young people and women in rural and peri-urban zones.

The united front: how Benin’s aviculture unites its players

The Interprofessional Poultry Association of Benin (IAB) has brought together every link of the chain—farmers, feed producers, veterinarians, distributors, and researchers—in a single venue to turn scattered efforts into a cohesive industry. Léon Anago, IAB president, sees this unity as the key to unlocking bank financing: “Investors need to see a structured, profitable sector—not a subsistence market.”

Morocco partnership fuels technical leap

Benin is tapping into South-South cooperation, notably with Morocco, whose poultry sector has undergone a similar transformation. A high-level Moroccan delegation, led by Minister Ahmed El Bouari, joined the expo to share expertise in feed formulation, biosecurity, and cold-chain logistics. The partnership signals a broader ambition: building African food sovereignty through shared know-how.

A continental blueprint in the making

Benin’s race to poultry self-sufficiency is more than a national goal—it is a template for other African nations wrestling with import dependency. From Cotonou to Rabat, the message is clear: investing in local production is the surest route to macroeconomic stability and shared prosperity.