Benin has experienced strong economic growth in recent years, with GDP growth rate reaching 7.5 percent in 2024, supported by vibrant agricultural and industrial performance. The country is committed to regional integration through frameworks such as the Economic Community of West African States and the West African Economic and Monetary Union, which provide opportunities to expand trade and foster deeper value chain linkages.
According to the country’s National Policy for the Promotion and Development of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (PNPDPME 2025–2034), small and medium-sized enterprises represent more than 90 percent of businesses and generate between 60 and 70 percent of jobs in Benin. Yet, persistent challenges, such as limited access to finance, weak technological capacity, and the dominance of informality, continue to constrain their competitiveness and participation in regional trade.
To address these obstacles, UNCTAD, in collaboration with the Ministry of SMEs and Employment Promotion and the United Nations Development Programme, has launched a project to strengthen SME integration into regional value chains. The initiative supports governments and private-sector actors with policy incentives, innovative tools, and digital solutions to enhance productivity and competitiveness within regional markets.
As part of this effort, a national project launch and validation workshop will take place on 11–12 September 2025 at the Golden Tulip Le Diplomate in Cotonou, Benin. The workshop will present, review and validate the findings of UNCTAD’s national impact study on Benin, which highlights priority sectors, structural bottlenecks, and actionable recommendations for policy and institutional support. The study identifies three strategic sectors with particularly high potential for SMEs, including pineapple and fruit processing, cotton and derivatives, and iron and steel.
The two-day workshop will bring together around 35 to 40 participants from government institutions, the private sector, academia, development partners, and UN agencies. It will cover thematic discussions, presentations and recommendations to refine the project’s implementation in Benin. Participation is by invitation only.
