AfDB Approves €102m to Boost Benin’s Poultry, Maize and Soy Value Chains

The programme focuses on integrating maize, soybean and poultry value chains to significantly expand domestic poultry meat production.

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a €102.12 million loan to support the first phase of Benin’s Agriculture Transformation Programme, a flagship initiative aimed at boosting food production, strengthening value chains and improving livelihoods in the country’s savannah region. The decision was made during the Board’s meeting in Abidjan.

The programme focuses on integrating maize, soybean and poultry value chains to significantly expand domestic poultry meat production. This approach supports Benin’s ambitions to achieve greater food sovereignty, reduced import dependence, and sustainable economic growth in rural areas.

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Driving Structural Transformation Through Innovation and Technology

The AfDB initiative draws inspiration from Brazil’s successful transformation of the Cerrado region into a highly productive agricultural zone. Benin aims to replicate similar results by adopting:

• Modern agricultural technologies

• Climate-resilient farming practices

• Improved value-chain integration

• Increased private-sector involvement

According to Robert Masumbuko, AfDB Country Manager for Benin, the programme will be implemented gradually:

“This phased approach will support the steady expansion of the poultry sector, especially broiler production, which requires reliable inputs and well-developed feed systems.”

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Key Agricultural Production Targets (2026–2030)

Over the programme’s implementation period, Benin will undertake large-scale cultivation and livestock expansion:

• 120,000 hectares of maize cultivated

• 80,000 hectares of soybean cultivated

• Annual poultry production reaching 41,000 tonnes

To enable these outputs, beneficiaries will receive:

• Broiler chicken starter kits

• Certified seeds

• Fertilisers and plant protection inputs

• Portable tools for sowing and crop management

• Training in good agricultural practices and water management

The programme will also promote climate adaptation, soil health, pest control and sustainable land use.

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Strengthening Storage and Post-Harvest Infrastructure

To address post-harvest losses and stabilise supply chains, the programme will significantly expand storage and processing capacity:

• 60 barns (1,000-tonne capacity each)

• 90 barns (500-tonne capacity each)

• 150 drying areas (each 200 m²)

These investments will help ensure that maize and soybean supplies remain consistent throughout the year, providing stable feed inputs for poultry producers.

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Boosting Research, Seed Quality and Innovation

The project will create a multi-stakeholder research platform dedicated to:

• Advancing maize–soybean cropping systems

• Developing nutrient-rich, climate-resilient seed varieties

• Promoting environmental sustainability

This collaborative platform will bring together researchers, local authorities, farmers and private-sector actors to drive ongoing innovation in Benin’s agricultural sector.

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Wide-Scale Economic and Social Impact

The programme is expected to directly benefit 50,000 people, including smallholder farmers, poultry producers and agribusiness workers. An additional 500,000 people will benefit indirectly through improved food availability, reduced prices and expanded market opportunities.

Women will make up 30% of both direct and indirect beneficiaries, reflecting the programme’s commitment to inclusive development.

The initiative is expected to generate:

• Increased rural incomes

• Stronger food systems

• Job creation in farming and agro-processing

• Enhanced nutrition through greater availability of poultry protein

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A Major Step Toward Benin’s Food Sovereignty

By integrating crop and livestock value chains, strengthening research, and modernising farming practices, the AfDB-supported programme represents a transformational investment in Benin’s agricultural future.

The initiative is aligned with the African Development Bank’s High 5 priorities, particularly “Feed Africa”, and supports long-term resilience, economic diversification and rural development in Benin’s northern savannah region.