As Benin prepares for its 2026 general elections, the National Autonomous Electoral Commission (CENA) is taking bold steps to boost local industry by exploring domestic production of electoral materials.
On July 9, 2025, a delegation led by CENA rapporteur Laurentine Adossou Davo visited the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ), a flagship industrial park near Cotonou, to assess its capacity for manufacturing election equipment, including uniforms.
Welcomed by Létondji Behéton, Director General of the Société d’investissement et de promotion de l’industrie (SIPI-Bénin), which manages the GDIZ, the delegation toured several production units such as Benin Textile (BTEX) and Kaju Benin Cashew SA.
Behéton underscored the zone’s rapid growth since its commissioning in 2020, highlighting that out of 1,640 hectares, 400 have been developed with about 30 investors spanning textile, agro-industry, ceramics, and cosmetics sectors.
“This industrial zone is a cornerstone of the government’s vision since 2016,” Behéton said, noting over 20,000 direct jobs have been created with ambitions to reach 300,000 by 2030.
Impressed by the facilities, Laurentine Adossou Davo declared, “The CENA is used to ordering from outside.
This time, we decided to buy locally.” She also mentioned the possibility of producing election uniforms within Benin, a move reflecting broader government efforts to promote the “Made in Benin” brand across sectors.
Council member Sanni Gounou reinforced this commitment: “We came to confirm the discussions that have taken place. We are convinced that the order will be placed here.”
Meanwhile, fellow member François Abiola called the initiative “a national pride,” emphasizing the need to overcome lingering prejudices against local products.
CENA’s decision marks a significant step towards self-reliance and economic empowerment in election logistics, aligning with Benin’s push for sustainable industrial growth and local value addition ahead of a crucial electoral milestone.
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