Benin is accelerating its industrial transformation by expanding local processing, strengthening energy infrastructure and developing African-owned brands, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) President George Elombi said.
Elombi made the remarks following a visit to Benin, where he met President Romuald Wadagni to discuss the next phase of the country’s industrial development.
The discussions included plans to increase locally processed cotton from 40,000 tonnes to 140,000 tonnes and strengthen energy infrastructure to support the expansion, Elombi affirmed.
At the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone, Elombi mentioned that he saw the impact of Benin’s efforts to move up the value chain, noting that cotton worth less than $2 per kilogram can be transformed into finished products valued at €17 or more.
“Towels that once travelled from Cotonou to Asia before returning to nearby Lagos are now manufactured in Benin and exported directly across the border,” he noted.
The industrial zone hosts facilities producing textiles, ceramics and electric motorcycles, with products serving African and international markets.
The integrated textile value chain alone has created 16,000 jobs, according to Elombi.
He also highlighted the launch of Obalè, describing it as another step toward building African-owned brands and expanding the continent’s role in global manufacturing.
“Africa must not only manufacture for foreign brands; we must design, own, brand and distribute our own products,” Elombi said.
He said Benin’s experience demonstrates that industrialisation can translate into concrete economic activity when political leadership is matched by implementation and sustained partnerships.
“Our task is to expand it, replicate it and use it to reinforce trade among ourselves,” Elombi stressed.
Elombi further hailed the Beninese government and its partners for supporting the country’s industrialisation drive, saying the experience could offer lessons for other African economies seeking to develop local value chains and strengthen intra-African trade.
