Benin and Cuba map out trade revival across four priority sectors
Benin and Cuba have agreed to revive their economic and commercial ties, with a roadmap now in place to turn a decades-old friendship into measurable trade. The decision came out of a diplomatic audience held in Cotonou between Cuba’s ambassador, Denisse Amaro Salabarría, and the leadership of Benin’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI Benin), where both sides confirmed their intention to actively re-energise bilateral business.
An old friendship, a renewed economic agenda
Relations between the two countries rest on a long-standing friendship built on deep cultural affinity and steady South-South solidarity. On the institutional side, the current push builds on a framework agreement signed in 2002 between the two chambers of commerce. With global market conditions shifting, Cotonou and Havana now want to modernise that axis and turn it into a practical growth lever rather than a symbolic one.
Where the opportunities lie: four priority sectors
During the discussions, Cuban diplomats outlined the economic reforms recently adopted on the Caribbean island, reforms they say open new doors for Beninese investors and entrepreneurs. Both delegations identified several priority areas for future partnerships:
- Agro-industry and food production
- Renewable energy
- Tourism and cultural engineering
- Biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry, a field where Cuba is recognised worldwide for its expertise
Havana trade fair as a first concrete step
To move from intentions to contracts, Beninese companies have been invited to take part in the Havana International Fair (FIHAV), a major commercial gathering for the Caribbean region.
Benin positions itself as West Africa’s entry point
For its part, the CCI Benin delegation highlighted the country’s geostrategic position as a logistics and commercial platform that is hard to bypass in the West African sub-region. Pointing to the ongoing modernisation of the Autonomous Port of Cotonou, the Beninese side invited Cuban economic operators to use Benin as their gateway to West African markets.
A roadmap with regular follow-up
The meeting marks the starting point of a roadmap centred on regular monitoring of the commitments made, sealing the effective relaunch of a historic partnership that is now firmly looking ahead.
