Benin targets poultry self-sufficiency by 2033 to protect national economy

With the opening of the inaugural Salon Expo Avicole in Cotonou, the government of Bénin has declared a definitive goal: reaching 100,000 tonnes of poultry production by 2033. Facing a structural deficit of 80,000 tonnes currently met through massive imports, the challenge is not merely a matter of food security; it is a significant macroeconomic priority. This national strategy aims to convert capital flight into a powerful engine for local industrial growth.

The Palais des Congrès in Cotonou transformed into a strategic hub for economic recovery this Thursday, June 25, 2026. By launching the first edition of the Salon Expo Avicole, Beninese authorities did more than just open a trade fair; they established the foundation for a major productive overhaul. The current diagnosis, agreed upon by industry stakeholders, is defined by two stark figures: 100,000 and 20,000. Every year, consumers in Bénin require at least 100,000 tonnes of poultry meat and eggs, yet local farmers produce only 20,000 tonnes. This 80,000-tonne gap is more than a logistical hurdle; it is a financial drain on the nation.

Ending the unsustainable drain on foreign currency

For Bénin, importing four-fifths of its poultry consumption means billions of CFA francs are funneled into external economic circuits annually. In an era of global price volatility and supply chain disruptions, this reliance represents 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 explicit during his keynote address. The primary objective of this initiative is to keep this capital within national borders. By localizing production, the government intends not only to feed the population but to rebalance the country’s trade scales. Every tonne of chicken raised in Bénin represents a victory against currency flight and a direct investment in the local industrial fabric.

Vision 2033: The pillars of the Green Bénin plan

This poultry offensive is part of a long-term roadmap known as the 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 that it cannot act in isolation.

The strategy is built on the vertical integration of the sector, achieved through a large-scale alliance. While the state will act as a facilitator and regulator, success depends on the involvement of private investors and financial institutions, which have historically been hesitant to fund the agricultural sector. The Minister emphasized a comprehensive approach: “The future of our poultry industry will depend on our collective ability to produce more, process more, and generate more value within our own territory.”

Beyond financial stability, the expected return on investment is social. The expansion of hatcheries, feed mills, and modern processing centers is seen as a massive source of employment, specifically targeting youth and women, who are the backbones of the rural and peri-urban economies.

A unified industry focused on professional collaboration

The success of this “Marshall Plan” for Beninese poultry depends heavily on the alignment of those on the ground. This is the core purpose of the trade show, 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.

For Léon Anago, president of the interprofessional body, this event must serve as a catalyst. The goal is to transform previously fragmented initiatives into a structured industry capable of reassuring banks and attracting capital. The challenge is to demonstrate that poultry farming in Bénin is no longer a subsistence activity but a highly profitable market and a major lever for national economic growth.

The Cotonou-Rabat axis: Leveraging technical expertise

To accelerate technical and commercial upgrades, Bénin is utilizing South-South partnerships, starting with Maroc. The Fédération interprofessionnelle du secteur avicole du Maroc (FISA) provided essential technical and logistical support for the event’s organization.

The presence in Cotonou of Ahmed El Bouari, the Moroccan Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, underscores the political weight of this collaboration. Maroc, having successfully modernized its own poultry sector in recent decades, stands as a premier strategic partner. Addressing the Beninese professionals, the Moroccan minister praised the structural reforms initiated in Cotonou, noting that this cooperation builds a foundation for shared prosperity and expanded food sovereignty across the African continent.

Toward a new model of African resilience

As the initial working sessions concluded, a clear consensus emerged: Bénin’s struggle for protein self-sufficiency mirrors a continental challenge. By striving to produce what it consumes, the country is attempting to break free from the traps of import dependency. The task is formidable, and the countdown to 2033 has begun. To move from 20,000 to 100,000 tonnes, the Beninese sector must quintuple its production in seven years. This ambitious quantitative and qualitative leap, if successful, will prove that rigorous agricultural policy can serve as a nation’s strongest macroeconomic shield.