Benin is making strides to improve its trade environment with the recent unveiling of a framework that will guide the development of its National Trade Facilitation Strategy.
Discussions surrounding the framework for this important strategy brought together stakeholders from various trade-related agencies. These included representatives from customs, sanitary and phytosanitary services, quality control authorities, port operators, and other relevant institutions. The deliberations took place at a workshop facilitated by TradeMark Africa (TMA) on Monday, 24 March 2025, at the Riviéra Hotel in Cotonou. The workshop was officially opened by Ambassador Benjamin Alanménou, the Technical Advisor for International Agreements to the Minister of Industry and Trade. Coordinated by the National Trade Facilitation Committee (CNFE), the stakeholders at the workshop established the foundational principles upon which the strategy will be built.
In his opening address, Ambassador Alanménou provided context about the facilitating organization. “For those unfamiliar with TradeMark Africa (TMA), it is a non-profit organisation dedicated to eliminating trade barriers by modernising infrastructure, establishing digital trade systems, harmonising trade standards and protocols, and fostering public-private dialogue to support trade policy reforms,” he explained. He further emphasized the significance of the National Trade Facilitation Strategy, stating that it will form the basis for future initiatives and engagements aimed at simplifying and modernizing Benin’s trade landscape.
Dr Gominan Fousséni, the Director of Foreign Trade and President of the National Trade Facilitation Committee, underscored the importance of this initiative. He remarked, “As its name suggests, this strategy is a fundamental tool underpinning all our previous efforts to enhance and regulate commercial and other trade-related activities. This marks the beginning of the process; it is not yet the finalised strategy, it is work in progress. Here, we define the framework within which our partners and consultants will operate.”
Anthe Vrijlandt, TradeMark Africa’s Director of Strategy and Partnerships, explained that these efforts are part of TMA’s broader regional initiatives, in collaboration with its partners, to reduce the time and cost associated with trading in Africa. This aligns with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to create a single market for goods and services across the continent. TMA has already engaged with the Ministry of Trade and Industry to coordinate discussions involving various stakeholders, including the government, private sector, and civil society, regarding the opportunities and challenges of Benin’s trade. These discussions have also involved key players such as the Benin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Customs, and the World Bank to explore potential areas for collaboration.
Anthe Vrijlandt further noted the significance of trade facilitation for Benin’s economic development. “Trade facilitation in itself is an important lever for enhancing Benin’s competitiveness, attracting investment, and reinforcing trade relations within the region and globally. The country’s national trade facilitation strategy will focus on strengthening border management, streamlining customs procedures, upgrading logistics infrastructure, and promoting cross-border trade. As TradeMark Africa, will walk this journey with our partners in Benin and across the west Africa region to reduce the cost and time of cross border trade and create a conducive trade environment for businesses in Benin and the wider West African sub-region,” she stated.
