Benin Launches Ambitious Port Expansion Project 'Port of Cotonou' , Boosting Regional Connectivity (video)
Benin is modernizing the Port of Cotonou to enhance regional trade and logistics, crucial for landlocked Sahel countries. The project will double container capacity, improve infrastructure, and create thousands of jobs. Financial backing includes €75 million from Benin Terminal and €20 million from the IFC, emphasizing environmental sustainability.
HASSAN BENYOUB 
a significant development for West African trade and logistics, Benin has embarked on an ambitious project to expand and modernize the Port of Cotonou. This initiative aligns with Morocco's ongoing efforts to enhance connectivity for Sahel countries and reinforces Benin's position as a crucial regional hub.
https://x.com/larevueafrique/status/1872307031538798627
Port of Cotonou: A Vital Link for West Africa
The Port of Cotonou stands as one of the busiest ports in West Africa, playing a pivotal role in regional trade[1]. Its strategic importance lies in serving as a key transit point for landlocked countries such as Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, providing these nations with essential access to international markets[2].
Expansion and Modernization Plans
The expansion project aims to significantly enhance the port's capabilities:
- Doubling the container terminal's quay length to 1,100 meters
- Increasing the number of quay and yard gantry cranes
- Developing approximately 15 hectares of new storage areas
- Creating a new access point to the terminal[1]
These improvements are expected to double the port's capacity to around one million TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) containers[1].
Financial Backing and Investment
The project has garnered substantial financial support:
- Benin Terminal, a subsidiary of Africa Global Logistics, has secured €75 million (about 50 billion CFA francs) in financing[1]
- IFC (International Finance Corporation) is providing a loan of up to €20 million as part of a wider €165 million investment plan[2]
Economic and Social Impact
The expansion is set to deliver significant economic benefits:
- Projected to add an estimated $873 million in gross value to Benin's economy by 2035
- Expected to create several thousand additional indirect and induced jobs[2]
- Employing nearly 600 workers during peak construction, with 200 direct and indirect jobs anticipated upon completion[1]
Regional Significance
This project reinforces Benin's role as a regional logistics hub, offering modern and efficient logistical solutions to Sahelian economies. It aligns with broader initiatives, such as Morocco's Atlantic Initiative, aimed at enhancing connectivity and economic development in the Sahel region[4].
Environmental Considerations
The project will be developed under Africa Global Logistics' Green Terminal Label, emphasizing environmental performance and sustainability in the logistics sector[2].
By enhancing its port infrastructure, Benin is positioning itself as a key player in regional trade integration, supporting the economic growth of both coastal and landlocked nations in West Africa.
