Embassy of Benin to the USA
2124 Kalorama Road NW
Washington DC 20008 USA
Tel : 1 202-232-6656
Fax : 1 202-265-1996
Email : Info@beninembassy.us
Trade Mission of American Businessmen in Benin
August 03-07 2015
I - Objectives
The Embassy of Benin in Washington, DC is organizing a trade mission in Benin,
which will be focused on the following areas: energy, agriculture and infrastructure.
As a pivotal country between Nigeria and the West African Market, a transit corridor
for landlocked countries, namely: Niger, Burkina-Faso and Mali; Benin - a coastal country in
West Africa with a coastline of 125 km - happens to be the ECOWAS center of gravity and
the gateway to a market of 300 million consumers.
This makes it all the more important to develop the energy sector, the agricultural
potential and transport infrastructure.
Energy
American investors’ focus on this sector was prompted by the second compact of the
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in the amount of 300 million US dollars which was
recently granted to Benin with the purpose of addressing energy issues both in the aspects
of generation, transmission and distribution to foster sustainable economic growth in Benin.
The public-private partnership (PPP) which is of great importance to the Government
of Benin appears to be one of the many options to explore in order to effectively address
energy issues in Benin and achieve, eventually, energy self-sufficiency by 2020.
To this end, the Embassy decided through this mission to involve as broadly as
possible American investors in implementing Benin Government’s program to develop energy
infrastructure, restructure and expand the energy distribution network.
Agriculture
The Agricultural sector is vital to the economy of Benin because it employs 70% of the
workforce, it accounts for 36% of the national GDP, it generates 88% of export revenues and
15% of state revenue headed by cotton which consistently accounts for more than 10% of
revenue. The other agricultural products at the top of the list are cocoa, corn, beans, rice,
peanuts, cashew, pineapples, cassava, yams and several other tubers.
The sector-related strategy is aimed at contributing to the growth and food security
through an efficient production and sustainable farm management, ensuring competitiveness
and providing market access for goods by supporting value-adding chains.
To achieve these objectives, it will be necessary to facilitate access to inputs and
quality and suitable seeds, manage water for agricultural production, facilitate the
mechanization of agricultural activities, facilitating access to a fit-for-purpose financing and
facilitate market access.
The successful implementation of the Strategic Plan for the Revival of the Agricultural
Sector (PSRSA) implies that the State undertakes both institutional, organizational and
regulatory reforms in order to disengage from production activities and focus on its sovereign
role of monitoring and establish a legislative and regulatory framework more conducive to
private investments in the agricultural and rural sector.
Infrastructure
The Government’s projects that require funding especially in the Public Private
Partnership (PPP) area include Public Investment Projects (PIP). This mainly relates to the
backbone project whose components are as follows:
 The construction of an International Airport in Glo-Djigbé;
 The construction of the railway loop;
 Extending Tourou Airport (Municipality of Parakou).
Moreover, the following remarks must be made regarding transport services:
 The railway network include a metric track between Cotonou and Parakou as well as
an east-west coastline;
 Benin only has one international airport located in Cotonou;
 Road haulage carried out by an ever-increasing vehicle fleet.
In light of the foregoing, the mission will enable attendees to:




Get familiar with the business environment in Benin;
Discover the country's economic potential;
Understand the legal and regulatory framework of these three (03) sectors;
Understand the institutional and regulatory framework of the public-private
partnership;
 Establish appropriate contacts with clear commitments, etc.
II – Procedure
During the stay of the mission, several activities could be performed:
1 - Meetings
The Benin’ stakeholders are committed to hold information meetings during which the
delegation members and the Benin authorities could exchange views on these sectors. See
details in the program.
2 - Visits
The delegation of American investors will proceed to visit both public and private sector
sites.
Sightseeing tours will also enable them to enjoy the country’s rich culture.
III - Logistics
1 - Accommodation
The delegation members will reside at hotel "AZALAI", or "BEST WESTERN HOTEL"
located in downtown Cotonou, a few minutes away from the beach and the international
airport Cardinal Bernardin GANTIN of Cotonou.
2 - Interpretation and Translation
The various meetings and work sessions, sightseeing tours and all other activities within the
framework of the mission will benefit from interpretation.
3 - Air transport and local transport
International companies serving the United States of America and Benin are Air France,
Brussels Airlines and Turkish Airlines.
 Air France provides air transportation services towards Cotonou on Monday,
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.
 Turkish Airline services Cotonou on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
 Brussels Airline provides air transportation services towards Cotonou Tuesday and
Saturday.
Air France tickets for a round trip from the US to Benin cost about $ 2,000 for an economy
class fare and about $ 10,000 for a business class ticket. Turkish Airline tickets for a round
trip from the US to Benin cost about $ 1,300 for an economy class fare and about $ 5,600
for a Business class fare. Brussels Airlines tickets for a round trip from US to Benin cost
about $ 2000 for an economy class fare and $ 10,000 for a business class fare.
Departure City
Atlanta
Boston
Chicago
Cincinnati
Detroit
Houston
Los Angeles
Miami
Minneapolis
New York City
Philadelphia
San Francisco
Washington, D.C
Airline Companies
Air France
Air France, Turkish Airlines
Air France, Turkish Airlines
Air France
Air France
Air France, Turkish Airlines
Air France, Turkish Airlines
Air France, Turkish Airlines
Air France
Air France, Turkish Airlines, Brussels
Airlines
Air France
Air France, Turkish Airlines
Air France, Turkish Airlines, Brussels
Airlines
We recommended that members of the mission arrive in Cotonou on August 2nd, 2015 at
the latest in order to facilitate their reception at the airport of Cotonou. To this end, flight
itineraries may be shared with the Embassy.
Local transportation will be provided by the Beninese stakeholders for activities related to
the mission.
IV - Attendance
1 - Requirements:
 To be a US company operating in the energy sector;
 Register with the Embassy of Benin by emailing a manifestation of intent to
info@beninembassy.us;
 Attach to the application form a "capability statement";
 Send a copy of a valid passport.
2 - Cost:
It is up to the attendees themselves to cover the costs associated with the purchase of
airfare, as well as accommodation and catering.
3 - Visa:
The Embassy will issue free courtesy visas to attendees based on the visa application sent
to the embassy in a timely manner.
IV - Program
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Welcome and Installation of the delegation at AZALAI hotel
Monday, August 3, 2015
08:00 am:
Leaving the hotel
08:30 am:
Meeting at the US Embassy;
09:30 am:
Meeting with the Minister of Energy;
10:30 am:
Work visit at the MCA-Benin;
12:30 pm:
Lunch hosted by the Minister of Energy;
Day 1
01:30 pm:
Departure for a designated conference room where interpreting
could be provided;
02:00 pm:
Meeting with the General Directorate of Energy (DGE) and the
Electric Energy Company of Benin (SBEE);
04:00 pm:
Meeting with the Beninese Agency for Rural Electrification and
Energy Control (ABERME) and the National Agency for Rural
Development Support (ANADER);
05:30 pm:
Meeting with the Energy Sector Regulatory Authority;
07:00 pm:
End of day 1 (returning to the hotel).
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Day 2
08:00 am:
Leaving the hotel
08:30 am:
Working session with members of the Presidential Investment
Council (CPI);
11:00 am:
Meeting with the Minister of Development;
12:00 pm:
Meeting with the Minister of Economy and Finance;
01:00 pm:
Luncheon with the General Directorate for Investment and
Development Financing;
03:00 pm:
Meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs
04:30 pm:
Working session with CAI Maria-Gléta;
07:30 pm:
End of day 2 (returning to the hotel).
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Day 3
08:00 am:
Leaving the hotel
09:00 am:
Meeting with the Minister of Agriculture;
10:00 am:
Meeting with the Officials in charge of Agriculture;
03:00 pm:
04:00 pm:
Meeting with the Minister in charge of Infrastructure;
Meeting with the Officials in charge of Infrastructure;
07:30 pm:
Dinner hosted by the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and
Industry of Benin (CCIB);
08.30 pm:
End of day 3 (returning to the hotel).
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Day 4
08:00 am:
Leaving the hotel;
10:00 am:
Meeting with the President of Benin;
11:30 am:
Guided tour of the Autonomous Port of Cotonou;
01:00 pm:
Lunch;
02:00 pm:
sightseeing: The Slave Route;
06:00 pm:
Debriefing session at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
07:30 pm:
End of day 4 (returning to the hotel).
Friday, August 7, 2015
Day 5
Free day
06:30 pm: Departure for the airport
End of the Mission