Benin: Pierre de Gaëtan Njikam announces the launch of the Pierre Castel Prize 2026
For its first participation, Benin makes a strong showing by hosting the final of the Pierre Castel Prize 2026. With nearly 23 million CFA francs at stake and a tight selection, the competition promises to be a major accelerator for agri-food entrepreneurs. In front of the press this Wednesday at the Native hotel in Ouidah, Pierre de Gaëtan Njikam, director of the Pierre Castel endowment fund, unveiled the strategic reach of the program.
For the first time, Benin is invited into the arena of the Pierre Castel Prize, a pan-African initiative that highlights agri-food entrepreneurs. A strategic launch, led by the fund « Pierre Castel – Agir avec l’Afrique », which aims to make this 2026 edition a real springboard for Beninese talents. Face to the media this Wednesday during a press conference at the Native hotel in Ouidah, the fund’s General Director, Pierre de Gaëtan Ndjikam, set the tone. « Aujourd’hui, nous souhaitons déployer cette édition du Prix Pierre Castel au Bénin », he said, as a signal to send. The objective is clear: identify, support, and propel entrepreneurs capable of innovating in food systems.
The setup, on the other hand, is well-oiled. Les candidats peuvent postuler via notre plateforme sur le site fonds-pierre-castel.org. Les dossiers doivent être déposés au plus tard le 30 mai 2026, he specified. An initial step before a tight selection: “A technical committee, chaired by Sobébra, will preselect six Beninese finalists. The latter will appear before a national jury, also chaired by the Director General of Sobébra, for an announcement of results scheduled for 30 July.”
At stake is a prize worthy of the challenge. «Once the national laureate is designated — with a prize of 10 400 000 FCFA — they will compete with the winners from other African countries. This pan-African final will also be held in Cotonou, on 30 September, for an additional prize of 10 000 €. In total, a young Beninese entrepreneur can thus hope to win up to around 23 million FCFA», detailed Pierre de Gaëtan Njikam.
Beyond the numbers, a real ramp-up is taking shape. The choice of Benin is not by accident. « We have wanted, if I may say, “save the best for last”… », whispered the Director General. For Pierre de Gaëtan Njikam, each supported entrepreneur is a stone added to the edifice of food sovereignty. By connecting leaders of the local agro-industry, such as Sobébra, with innovative young startups, he outlines the contours of a more resilient economy.
The message is clear: the Pierre Castel Fund, driven by the vision of its Director General, is not only a funder, it’s a long-term partner committed to « transforming the African food systems ». Beninese youth, now at the heart of the game, have until 30 May to answer this call for excellence.
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