PDDAA : Benin leads agricultural performance in Africa
Benin has achieved an outstanding performance in agriculture, ranking as the top country in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
Benin has broken through in agriculture within the ECOWAS area, taking first place regionally and fifth on the continent, according to the results of the 5th Biennial Review of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).
With a score of 7.15 out of 10, the country recorded a 66% improvement between 2015 and 2024, confirming the effectiveness of the reforms carried out in the sector.
This remarkable progress is the result of a coherent and determined agricultural strategy, supported by the government since 2016.
In 2024, the budget allocated to agriculture accounted for 10.89% of the State’s overall expenditures, thus exceeding the 10% target set by the African Union.
The results achieved have had a direct impact on rural populations. More than 300,000 jobs have been created in the agricultural sector, while average annual incomes have seen a clear improvement.
On food security, coverage rates now stand at 156% for plant products, 50% for animal products and 41% for fishery products.
The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Gaston Cossi Dossouhoui, praised the combined efforts of all actors in the sector and reaffirmed the government’s determination to keep up the momentum.
According to him, the Government Action Programs (PAG 1 and 2) laid solid foundations, and the next program will aim to strengthen Benin’s competitiveness across several agricultural value chains on the continent.
It should be noted that this performance was officially presented on 24 October 2025 in Addis Ababa, during the 6th ordinary session of the African Union Specialized Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and the Environment, in which the Beninese minister participated via videoconference.
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