
Agriculture, Energy & Logistic 09-12 May 2017 to Cotonou-Benin
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In cooperation with Dutch Embassy in Benin, The Consulate of Benin in The Netherlands, NAFTC-AFRICA, CCIB and CCIT, AFRIC is organizing an European Trade Mission for the Top Sector such as ‘’Agriculture, Water, Energy & Logistic to Benin, from 09 to 12 May 2017 in Cotonou.
This trade mission aims to promote trade between The Netherlands, Benin and Togo by bringing together relevant stakeholders and exposing them to the business opportunities.
This Trade Mission took place 09 – 12 may 2017
Download the Mission booklet with background information and participants
The Mission & Program
In the presence of politicians, private sector representatives and international organizations, conferences and round tables will be organized. Several themes will be addressed in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. They will enable the delegation from the Netherlands to meet the set of actors of Beninese and Togolese agricultural sector. You will benefit from interventions of politicians, economists, businessmen and personalities who have already managed to settle their presence in African continent, or in above mentioned countries. Tailor made B2B Mach-making sessions will be organized on the second day of the trade mission. This business trip will allow you to understand the Beninese and Togolese business environment, to sign business agreements both public and private, find distributors or to settle the foundations for a future partnership.

Since the transition to democratic government in 1991, Benin has undergone a remarkable economic recovery. A large injection of external investment from both private and public sources has alleviated the economic difficulties of the early 1990s, caused by global recession and persistently low commodity prices (although the latter continues to affect the economy).
Benin, poor in natural resources, is traditionally a trading nation and its economy is heavily dependent on the success of its much larger neighbour, Nigeria. Benin is hugely dependent on its import/export trade with the latter. A large part of the economy is based on the re-export of goods to Nigeria.
Economy
Benin’s economy is principally agricultural – it is self-sufficient in basic foodstuffs, the main export commodities being cotton, peanuts, coffee and palm oil. The manufacturing sector is confined to some light industry, mainly involved in processing primary products and the production of consumer goods. A planned joint hydroelectric project with neighbouring Togo is intended to reduce Benin’s dependence on imported energy (mostly from Ghana), which currently accounts for a significant proportion of the country’s imports.
The service sector has grown quickly, stimulated by economic liberalisation and fiscal reform. Membership of the CFA Franc Zone offers reasonable currency stability, as well as access to French economic support.
Benin is also a member of the West African economic community ECOWAS. The economy remains fragile and largely dependent on international aid.

The Republic of Togo
Togo has worked hard since 2007 to boost its economy and build the foundation for the solid growth which has been among the most significant seen in the region. This relaunch of the economy has helped to reposition Togo as a dynamic player in the region and seen it achieve some significant initial economic success, thereby earning the confidence of international investors.
Lomé is home to the headquarters of regional airline Asky, pan-African bank Ecobank, and the Lomé Autonomous Port, the only port on the West African coast from which you can get to several capitals in one day. Using the Port of Lomé therefore for the carriage of goods means benefiting from very competitive timelines and costs. With their strong pro-business approach, the Togolese authorities have instituted reforms, including the introduction of a new investment code; they have improved the ease of doing business, joined the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and set up a commercial court.
Economy
The country’s economy is dominated by commercial and subsistence farming. Food and cash crop production accounts for 47 % of GDP, providing work for 65 % of the population. The mining industry is one of Togo’s most promising economic sectors, with the country being the world’s fourth largest phosphate producer. Its estimated 60 million metric tons of reserves have potential to give this industry a boost.
Preliminary programme
Date | Description |
Tuesday, 09 May 2017 | Flight Amsterdam or Brussels – Benin (arrivals) Optional Check–in hotel in (Azalai ****) Informal welcome-drink, briefing |
Wednesday, 10 May 2017 | |
08:30 – 12:30
|
Official welcome word by Dutch ambassador in Benin. Official opening by Beninese Minister of Water & Energy. Presentation of Dutch delegation (each Dutch company gets 5-10 minutes to present itself to the audience). Seminar “How to do business in Benin” by the chamber of commerce. Presentation of Beninese business opportunities in various sectors. Presentation of available funds from The Netherlands by Dutch Embassy in Benin. |
12:30 – 14:00 | Networking lunch |
14:00 – 16:30 | Presentation of a well established Beninese company and its activities Panel discussion & plenary session (questions) Additional registration for matchmaking for next day |
19:00 – 21:00 | Collective Dinner with Dutch delegation (requires extra fee) |
Thursday, 11 May | |
08:30 – 10:00 | Tailor-made B2B Matchmaking sessions |
10:00 – 12:30 | Roundtable (Water & Energy) Roundtable (Agriculture & Agribusiness) Roundtable (Logistic) |
12:30 – 14:00 | Business lunch |
14:00 – 16:30 | Site visit to Beninese historical island (Ganvier) |
End of day | Networking dinner by the swimming pool in the garden of hotel Azalai, with a demonstration of Beninese traditional dance in the background |
Friday, 12 May 2017 | |
10:00 – 12:00 | Tailor-Made Matchmaking with Togolese companies in Lomé |
12:30 – 14:00 | Network cocktail with Togolese entrepreneurs |
17:00 – 17:30 | Back to Cotonou, Resume of the mission with Dutch participants |
17:30 – 18:00 | Reception by Dutch Embassy in Benin |
19:00 – 22:00 | Flight – Amsterdam (departure around 23h.00) Optional |
What | Trade Mission |
For who? | For European and particularly Dutch companies actives in Agriculture, Water, Energy & Logistic industry. However it’s open for all entrepreneurs who are interested in doing business in Togo and Benin. |
When | 09-12 May (arrivals starting from 09 May 2017) |
Where | Cotonou (Benin) |
Registration | Open until 24 April 2017, first come first serve |
Fee | €1.850,- p.p. excluding VAT, accommodation and travel, including: Collectives local transport, matchmaking, seminars, sites visits, reception, Local assistance by the organization. You can use a Trade Mission Voucher to cover up to EUR 1.500,- of the participation fee for this mission. |
Organisation | AFRIC in collaboration with Dutch, Beninese and Togolese Government. |
Contact | Solange Domaye, AFRIC, info@afric-eu.com, +31 33 45 32 809 or +31 653 481 508 |
Visa | You need a visa to enter in Benin, the Beninese consulate base in The Hague will be please to issue you a visa. You also need a visa for Togo, it can be obtain at the Togolese Embassy in Brussels |
Flight | There are no direct flights from Amsterdam to Cotonou-Benin Check Air France for availabilities Brussels Airlines offers direct flights to Cotonou-Benin |
Hotel | The event will be held in hotel Azalai, therefore we recommend you to stay that hotel in order to be close, however if you prefer to stay in a different place than you can take a look at: Hotel du lac Airport shuttle to the hotel All hotel offers shuttle services however our staff will receive you at the Airport. |
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- Description
-
In cooperation with Dutch Embassy in Benin, The Consulate of Benin in The Netherlands, NAFTC-AFRICA, CCIB and CCIT, AFRIC is organizing an European Trade Mission for the Top Sector such as ‘’Agriculture, Water, Energy & Logistic to Benin, from 09 to 12 May 2017 in Cotonou.
This trade mission aims to promote trade between The Netherlands, Benin and Togo by bringing together relevant stakeholders and exposing them to the business opportunities.
This Trade Mission took place 09 – 12 may 2017
Download the Mission booklet with background information and participants
The Mission & ProgramIn the presence of politicians, private sector representatives and international organizations, conferences and round tables will be organized. Several themes will be addressed in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. They will enable the delegation from the Netherlands to meet the set of actors of Beninese and Togolese agricultural sector. You will benefit from interventions of politicians, economists, businessmen and personalities who have already managed to settle their presence in African continent, or in above mentioned countries. Tailor made B2B Mach-making sessions will be organized on the second day of the trade mission. This business trip will allow you to understand the Beninese and Togolese business environment, to sign business agreements both public and private, find distributors or to settle the foundations for a future partnership.
Since the transition to democratic government in 1991, Benin has undergone a remarkable economic recovery. A large injection of external investment from both private and public sources has alleviated the economic difficulties of the early 1990s, caused by global recession and persistently low commodity prices (although the latter continues to affect the economy).
Benin, poor in natural resources, is traditionally a trading nation and its economy is heavily dependent on the success of its much larger neighbour, Nigeria. Benin is hugely dependent on its import/export trade with the latter. A large part of the economy is based on the re-export of goods to Nigeria.
Economy
Benin’s economy is principally agricultural – it is self-sufficient in basic foodstuffs, the main export commodities being cotton, peanuts, coffee and palm oil. The manufacturing sector is confined to some light industry, mainly involved in processing primary products and the production of consumer goods. A planned joint hydroelectric project with neighbouring Togo is intended to reduce Benin’s dependence on imported energy (mostly from Ghana), which currently accounts for a significant proportion of the country’s imports.
The service sector has grown quickly, stimulated by economic liberalisation and fiscal reform. Membership of the CFA Franc Zone offers reasonable currency stability, as well as access to French economic support.
Benin is also a member of the West African economic community ECOWAS. The economy remains fragile and largely dependent on international aid.
The Republic of Togo
Togo has worked hard since 2007 to boost its economy and build the foundation for the solid growth which has been among the most significant seen in the region. This relaunch of the economy has helped to reposition Togo as a dynamic player in the region and seen it achieve some significant initial economic success, thereby earning the confidence of international investors.
Lomé is home to the headquarters of regional airline Asky, pan-African bank Ecobank, and the Lomé Autonomous Port, the only port on the West African coast from which you can get to several capitals in one day. Using the Port of Lomé therefore for the carriage of goods means benefiting from very competitive timelines and costs. With their strong pro-business approach, the Togolese authorities have instituted reforms, including the introduction of a new investment code; they have improved the ease of doing business, joined the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and set up a commercial court.
Economy
The country’s economy is dominated by commercial and subsistence farming. Food and cash crop production accounts for 47 % of GDP, providing work for 65 % of the population. The mining industry is one of Togo’s most promising economic sectors, with the country being the world’s fourth largest phosphate producer. Its estimated 60 million metric tons of reserves have potential to give this industry a boost.
- Program
-
Preliminary programme
Date Description Tuesday, 09 May 2017 Flight Amsterdam or Brussels – Benin (arrivals) Optional
Check–in hotel in (Azalai ****)
Informal welcome-drink, briefingWednesday, 10 May 2017 08:30 – 12:30
Official welcome word by Dutch ambassador in Benin.
Official opening by Beninese Minister of Water & Energy.
Presentation of Dutch delegation (each Dutch company gets 5-10 minutes to present itself to the audience).
Seminar “How to do business in Benin” by the chamber of commerce.
Presentation of Beninese business opportunities in various sectors.
Presentation of available funds from The Netherlands
by Dutch Embassy in Benin.12:30 – 14:00 Networking lunch 14:00 – 16:30 Presentation of a well established Beninese company and its activities
Panel discussion & plenary session (questions)
Additional registration for matchmaking for next day19:00 – 21:00 Collective Dinner with Dutch delegation (requires extra fee) Thursday, 11 May 08:30 – 10:00 Tailor-made B2B Matchmaking sessions 10:00 – 12:30 Roundtable (Water & Energy)
Roundtable (Agriculture & Agribusiness)
Roundtable (Logistic)12:30 – 14:00 Business lunch 14:00 – 16:30 Site visit to Beninese historical island (Ganvier) End of day Networking dinner by the swimming pool in the garden of hotel Azalai, with a demonstration of Beninese traditional dance in the background Friday, 12 May 2017 10:00 – 12:00 Tailor-Made Matchmaking with Togolese companies in Lomé 12:30 – 14:00 Network cocktail with Togolese entrepreneurs 17:00 – 17:30 Back to Cotonou,
Resume of the mission with Dutch participants17:30 – 18:00 Reception by Dutch Embassy in Benin 19:00 – 22:00 Flight – Amsterdam (departure around 23h.00) Optional - Practical info
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What Trade Mission For who? For European and particularly Dutch companies actives in Agriculture, Water, Energy & Logistic industry. However it’s open for all entrepreneurs who are interested in doing business in Togo and Benin. When 09-12 May (arrivals starting from 09 May 2017) Where Cotonou (Benin) Registration Open until 24 April 2017, first come first serve Fee €1.850,- p.p. excluding VAT, accommodation and travel,
including: Collectives local transport, matchmaking, seminars, sites visits, reception, Local assistance by the organization.
You can use a Trade Mission Voucher to cover up to EUR 1.500,- of the participation fee for this mission.Organisation AFRIC in collaboration with Dutch, Beninese and Togolese Government. Contact Solange Domaye, AFRIC, info@afric-eu.com,
+31 33 45 32 809 or +31 653 481 508Visa You need a visa to enter in Benin, the Beninese consulate base in The Hague will be please to issue you a visa. You also need a visa for Togo, it can be obtain at the Togolese Embassy in Brussels Flight There are no direct flights from Amsterdam to Cotonou-Benin
Check Air France for availabilities
Brussels Airlines offers direct flights to Cotonou-BeninHotel The event will be held in hotel Azalai, therefore we recommend you to stay that hotel in order to be close, however if you prefer to stay in a different place than you can take a look at: Hotel du lac
Airport shuttle to the hotel
All hotel offers shuttle services however our staff will receive you at the Airport. - Factsheet
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