The 7th edition of the "Consommons Local" month was launched at Afrikan Ceramics Solutions (ACS) in the Glo-Djigbé industrial zone of Benin. The ceremony was preceded by a guided tour of the factory, which specializes in the production of "Made in Benin" tiles. The tour allowed the Minister of Trade to discover the different stages of tile production at ACS. The factory transforms locally extracted minerals, including clay, kaolin, and granite, into tiles for walls and floors.
The ACS factory has a daily production capacity of 10,000 square meters of tiles, available in various finishes, including matte, glossy, and satin. The products are marketed under the Elano brand and distributed in the Beninese market. The choice of this factory to launch the 2026 edition highlights non-food products in the local consumption promotion campaign. The Minister emphasized the link between purchasing locally produced goods, transforming national resources, and creating value.
During the visit, Minister Alimatou Shadiya Assouman stated that the concept of "Consommons local" is not only about consuming what is produced locally but also about consuming what nature has offered. She stressed the importance of creating a chain of value and jobs from local resources. The Minister cited several areas of clay and kaolin supply, including Djidja, Kétou, and Zangnanado, to illustrate the government's willingness to connect underground resources to local industrial activities.
The production of tiles from Beninese raw materials relies on an industrial chain, whose supply was prepared by the public authorities. In July 2024, the Council of Ministers authorized the signing of a mining convention for the exploitation of kaolin in Kétou, intended for the operation of the factory. The government indicated that the project would generate several hundred permanent jobs.
The "Consommons Local" month has been organized in Benin since 2019. The 6th edition, held in 2025, focused on agro-industrial investments, the valorization of local know-how, and access to markets. The 7th edition, launched from an industrial unit dedicated to construction materials, expands the promotion of "Made in Benin" beyond food products.
The objective of the campaign, as defended by the Minister, is to encourage the purchase of locally produced goods while promoting the use of raw materials available on the national territory. The ACS production is an example of industrial activity presented within the framework of this campaign: raw materials are Beninese, their transformation is carried out in Benin, and the tiles obtained are intended for the national market and other outlets.
The GDIZ presents ACS as the first "Made in Benin" tile manufacturing factory installed in Benin. The Minister's initiative aims to promote local consumption and production, highlighting the potential of Benin's industrial sector.
Key points
- The 7th edition of "Consommons Local" month promotes local consumption and production, highlighting non-food products.
- The ACS factory produces 10,000 square meters of tiles daily, using locally extracted minerals.
- The campaign aims to encourage the purchase of locally produced goods and promote the use of national raw materials.
