Building Trade Bridges Across West Africa

First Stop: Republic of Benin

Upon arrival at Igolo, the border entry point into Benin Republic, the delegation was warmly received by officials of the Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie du Bénin (CCI du Bénin), Délégation d’Ouémé-Plateau in Porto-Novo.

The Regional President, Mr. Alfred Dedji Houndegla, expressed deep appreciation for the visit, emphasizing the longstanding relationship between ABEOCCIMA and their Beninese counterparts. He acknowledged that past exchanges and bilateral visits have strengthened mutual trust and trade cooperation between the two regions.

Visit to Songhai Farms

A highlight of the Benin stop was the delegation’s strategic visit to Songhai Farms, an internationally acclaimed agricultural and agro-industrial innovation hub.

The Nigerian team was received by Rev. Father Godfrey Nzamujo, the founder and visionary behind the Songhai model. Father Nzamujo conducted the delegation on a guided tour of the facility, explaining how Songhai’s integrated farming systems, renewable energy solutions, and circular economy principles drive sustainable agricultural productivity.

He emphasized that Africa’s agricultural future depends on efficient resource utilization and knowledge-driven innovation — principles at the heart of the Songhai model.

Dinner Reception and Bilateral Discussions

The day’s activities concluded with a dinner reception hosted by the President of CCI du Bénin, Délégation d’Ouémé-Plateau, in honor of the Nigerian delegation.

During the evening, both delegations discussed trade facilitation frameworks, youth entrepreneurship, export value chains, and regional investment opportunities.

The meeting further reinforced the shared commitment of Nigerian and Beninese chambers to collaborative market expansion, mutual investment promotion, and capacity-building for MSMEs in both countries.

Appreciation to International Partners

The delegation extended heartfelt appreciation to the KVP Project team, the Giessen-Friedberg Chamber of Commerce (IHK Giessen-Friedberg), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and the Federal Government of Germany for their steadfast partnership and support.

Through the KVP bilateral cooperation project, these partners have played a pivotal role in strengthening institutional linkages, building export readiness, and facilitating international learning exchanges that made this trade mission possible.

Their continued collaboration exemplifies how international partnerships can foster inclusive trade, sustainable enterprise growth, and youth economic empowerment across Africa — perfectly aligned with the vision of AfCFTA.

Next Stops: Togo and Ghana

From Benin, the delegation will proceed to Lomé, Togo, and later to Accra, Ghana