Benin has just secured 102.12 million EUR in funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to modernize its poultry sector and strengthen its food sovereignty, with a particular focus on the Savanes region and broiler chicken production. This structuring program aims to boost domestic poultry meat production, create rural jobs, and sustainably improve the incomes of small-scale producers.
A Strategic Loan for Benin’s Poultry Sector
On December 10, 2025, the AfDB Board of Directors approved a loan of €102.12 million, equivalent to nearly 67 billion CFA francs, for Benin to finance the first phase of the Agricultural Transformation Program in the Savanes region. This funding directly targets the poultry sector, identified as a major driver of food sovereignty and job creation in the country.
This program is part of the national strategy to increase the availability of animal protein for the population while reducing dependence on poultry imports. It also aligns with the priorities of the Strategic Plan for the Development of the Agricultural Sector, which focuses on structuring competitive value chains such as those for maize, soybeans, and poultry.
Objectives: More poultry, more jobs
The stated ambition is to sustainably increase national poultry meat production, with a target of approximately 41,000 tons per year in the long term for the program supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB). By closely linking the maize-soybean-poultry value chains, the project aims to secure feed for livestock, reduce production costs, and improve the competitiveness of local poultry producers.
The program is expected to directly benefit approximately 50,000 people, primarily small-scale farmers, livestock breeders, and processors, and nearly 500,000 indirect beneficiaries, at least 30% of whom will be women in each target category. Through this support, the Beninese authorities aim to foster the emergence of genuine poultry entrepreneurs capable of large-scale production, including units regularly exceeding 1,000 broiler chickens per cycle.
A multi-phase implementation in the Savanes region
The program will be rolled out in several phases to gradually support the growth of the poultry sector and mitigate the risks associated with the rapid transformation of production systems. The first phase will focus on the Savanes region in northern Benin, an area with strong agricultural potential but still largely untapped.
This geographical choice reflects a strategy of balanced regional development, directing investments towards areas with ample land available for strategic crops such as maize and soybeans, essential for poultry feed. By 2030, the project plans to develop tens of thousands of hectares for these crops to secure the feed base for broiler chicken farms.
Infrastructure, Inputs, and Agricultural Innovations
A significant portion of the funds will be dedicated to upgrading production and storage infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses and improve the quality of inputs. The program includes, among other things, the construction of dozens of storage facilities of varying capacities and drying areas for corn and soybeans, in order to stabilize the supply of raw materials to livestock farmers.
Producers will also benefit from livestock kits, certified seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and portable equipment to improve planting and crop management techniques. An enhanced training component will focus on good agricultural practices, water management, climate change adaptation, and pest control, in order to disseminate more productive and resilient techniques.
An approach inspired by the Brazilian model
The project draws inspiration from the Brazilian experience of transforming the Cerrado region, which has become a veritable “breadbasket” in just a few decades thanks to the sustainable intensification of agriculture. Following this model, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Beninese government are focusing on the use of appropriate agricultural technologies and increased private sector involvement to revitalize the poultry industry.
A multi-stakeholder platform for agroecological research and innovation will be established to support the development of climate-resilient and nutrient-rich seeds, particularly for maize and soybeans. This approach aims to reconcile productivity gains, food safety, and compliance with environmental requirements, in a context of increased climate variability in West Africa.
Expected outcomes Benefits for the economy and food security
By strengthening the local supply of poultry meat, the program should contribute to improving household nutritional security, particularly in rural areas where access to animal protein remains limited. Increased domestic production will also help curb poultry imports and reduce the country’s vulnerability to external shocks in international markets.
From an economic standpoint, the anticipated momentum around the maize-soybean-poultry value chains should generate numerous direct and indirect jobs, especially for young people and women, while supporting inclusive growth in the Savanes region. Ultimately, the Beninese poultry sector could thus position itself as a pillar of national agricultural transformation and a major driver of wealth creation in rural areas.
