The Cotonou Port in Benin recently hosted the second edition of the Cadreco Business Meeting, bringing together professionals from the port, logistics, transportation, and industry sectors. The event, held on October 30, 2026, aimed to address the port's challenges in the face of regional competition and global trade changes. The meeting's theme was "Cotonou Port: Logistics, Resilience, and Competitiveness in a Turbulent World." Organized by Cadreco and the Autonomous Port of Cotonou (Pac), the event provided a platform for discussing Benin's economic issues.
The meeting's opening session featured Claudia Kénou, Cadreco's communication and project manager, who introduced the afterwork-style discussions. These events offer a setting for addressing major economic concerns in Benin. The first edition focused on the limited presence of Beninese companies in the regional financial market. This time, the focus was on the Cotonou Port's evolution and ways to strengthen its position in sub-regional trade. Kevin Potier, commercial and marketing director of the Autonomous Port of Cotonou, presented the port's 2025 performance.
In 2025, the Cotonou Port welcomed 870 ships, a 15% increase, and handled nearly 580,000 containers, a 60% rise. The port also saw a 60% increase in vehicle traffic, reaching around 80,000 units. Overall, the port processed 14.71 million tons of goods, a 50% increase from 2024. The outlook for 2026 predicts a 10-12% growth, with a potential 16 million tons of goods. To accommodate this growth, the Pac is investing over 345 billion CFA francs in several projects to boost its processing capacity from 12 to 25 million tons.
The Pac's projects, estimated to be 70% complete, are expected to finish between 2027 and 2028. The Terminal 5 project has already added 21 hectares, and the fishing port project is set to be launched on November 15. Digitalization and corridors were also discussed as key challenges for the port's competitiveness. A panel, moderated by Hermann Yaotcha, featured industry experts who shared their experiences and addressed the realities of their respective sectors.
The panelists, including Christelle Adefemi Agossou, Wassi Abdou Chakirou, Sosthène Hounsou, Georges Abi Attalah, and Kevin Potier, discussed storage, transit, distribution of petroleum products, and industrial production. They also touched on the competition from neighboring ports in Lomé and Lagos. To stay competitive, the Cotonou Port must focus on service quality and reducing processing times.
The implementation of the integrated port information system (Sip) is planned for early 2027, aiming to improve efficiency. The port's growth and development were highlighted as crucial for Benin's economy. The event provided a valuable platform for stakeholders to engage in discussions and explore solutions for the port's challenges.
The Cadreco Business Meeting demonstrated the importance of collaboration and dialogue among industry players to address the Cotonou Port's challenges. By working together, stakeholders can help the port strengthen its position in the region and improve its competitiveness. The next steps for the port's development will be closely watched by industry experts and stakeholders.
Key points
- The Cotonou Port handled 14.71 million tons of goods in 2025, a 50% increase from 2024.
- The port is investing over 345 billion CFA francs in projects to boost its processing capacity.
- The integrated port information system (Sip) is planned for implementation in early 2027.
