Benin has opened the door for private investors to participate in the development of a major agri-food logistics platform in Abomey-Calavi, part of a broader effort to modernize the country’s supply chain and strengthen its agri-food sector.
The Ministry of Living Environment and Transport, responsible for Sustainable Development, announced a call for expressions of interest in the construction of the Grand Nokoué platform. The project encompasses two key components: a wholesale agri-food market and a logistics platform.
A total of 60 hectares have been earmarked for the initiative. Of this, 35 hectares are reserved for the Autonomous Port of Cotonou (PAC) to develop its logistics facilities. The remaining 25 hectares are available to private operators seeking to build warehouses or other storage infrastructure.
Interested investors, whether individuals or companies, are required to submit a formal application to the President of the Logistics Platform Land Allocation Commission. Applications must include a letter specifying the desired plot and a project presentation outlining estimated costs, financing sources, and anticipated completion timelines.
A mandatory deposit of 50,000 CFA francs per square metre is required before signing the construction lease. This deposit will be fully refunded upon project completion, provided all technical and timing conditions are met. The construction period is limited to 12 months, with the lease offering a symbolic annual rent of one CFA franc for the first five years.
Developers have until 5 p.m. on October 30, 2025, to submit their applications. Submissions can be made in person at the Secretariat of the Real Estate and Urban Development Company (SImAU) on Boulevard Saint-Michel in Cotonou or via email at promo.rdp@simaubenin.com.
José Tonato, the minister overseeing the project, said the initiative aims to provide a structured and attractive framework for private actors to contribute to the creation of modern logistics infrastructure. He added that such facilities would be crucial to improving efficiency in the agri-food sector and enhancing Benin’s overall competitiveness in regional and international markets.
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