Benin - 2 Logistics Infrastructure

Logistics Infrastructure Narrative

The provision of infrastructure and operations in all modes of transport in Benin is under responsibility of the state department of the transport (Ministry of the transport and public works). Regulatory frameworks of infrastructures exist, but the application of certain texts encounters difficulties. It requires an update by the government to address new challenges, particularly in the investment sector of road rehabilitation companies. The transport and logistics sector should benefit in equally from all investments when new companies are involved in the realization of road infrastructure projects. However, the question of government coordination and supervision reveal lot of questions and interests.

For years, especially with the advent of the “regime of change”, Benin is in a perpetual construction on almost the national territory, in terms of construction of road infrastructures.

The importance of building road infrastructures in one state is well known and has shown the real advantages. This contributes to the practicability of the roads and to allow movements of goods and people. Better, these constructions play a crucial role for the national economy because they allow heavy trucks to quickly touch the hinterland countries as well as al Benin main cities. A benefit opportunity consolidating the links between these countries and Benin. Indeed, the first major handicap is almost a total lack of the real separation of the bike path of the road. This generates complains between users and an opportunity of law enforcement. The most recent illustration is the last crackdown by the authority with respect to motorcyclists. Also, the absence of traffic lights in some main road causes huge road damage. Similarly, the lack of electric poles on or off these roads put users into a permanent risk of accidents. The bad cut of crossroads is sometimes source of "go slow" and collision between vehicles or motorcyclists. The actual erection of the route plates of the different roads leading into the city or city neighbourhoods contributes to and increases the rate of loss of the populations wishing to travel from point A to B.. This invite and challenges the various bodies involved in the latter to show patriotism and work well done for the eradication of these road problems.

Road

Road transport is, by far, the main mode of transport in Benin. It represents 93% of passenger transport and 73% of freight (BAD 2017).

However, despite the predominance of the road as the main mode of transport, paved roads represent less than 50% of national roads.

Road transport in Benin may be categorized into 4 main segments, namely urban, primary services, rural-urban and rural. The Road construction company EBOMAF oversees transforming Benin formerly considered as smuggling into a modern road will give way to a pavement of 7 m wide with shoulders ranging road from 1.5 to 2.5 m in open country and agglomeration. A series of sanitation works is planned along the route. "Lot 2 of pk 11 + 150 at KP 30 + 650 includes the carrying out of general earthworks, the construction of hydraulic and sanitation works (scuppers, gutters, ditches, curbs), the construction of roadways and shoulders", explained the Director General of Public Works.

Indeed, by this time, there is not much completed projects of road constructions and rehabilitation in Benin. However, some road construction works have been observed.

The axis Dassa-Savalou-Djougou, with a total length of 270.5 km as follows.
Dassa-Savalou-Djougou (255.7km)
and the development and asphalting of the Bassila-Manigri (9.3km),
Kpèrèkètè-Togo border (0.8km)
and Bassila-Togo border (4.7km).

The demand for urban passenger transport is mainly by residents commuting to work, school, and other economic, social and leisure activities. Most urban transportation in Benin is by road and provided by private transports including Benin taxis, the private taxis and two wheels motos-taxis. Taxis-brousse are the main mode of road transport in rural zones, accounting for about 70% of passenger movement. Recently, Benin Taxis account for only 12% while the remaining accounted for by private cars. One important trend in road transport (especially inter-city) is still under range of fluidity according to the low flow of daily passengers travelling. Overall, traffic densities are low, except in the large cities of Cotonou and Bohicon, Parakou, Natitingou etc. The intention of the government is to build some highways with tolls, cooperating with private sectors in the zone of UEMOA.

Railways

Benin's railway network was built between 1900 and 1936. It is divided into three lines: from Cotonou to Parakou (438 km); from Pahou to Segbohoue via Ouidah (33 km), and from Cotonou to Pobe via Porto-Novo (107 km). The former Benin-Niger Railway and Transport Organization (OCBN) operated the service until 2014, when it was delivered under concession to Beninrail.

The track and rolling stock are in poor condition and the operation of the line is in pause due to cancellation of the concession contract. There is a long-standing project to connect the central line to Niamey, Niger: the first part of the plan consisted of rehabilitating the existing Cotonou-Parakou line from 438 km and to build an extension of 625 km from Parakou to Niamey.

Air Travel

Currently, the country knows some progress in the air travel with some international landing and taking off in Cotonou. There is a construction plan of an international airport at Glo-Djigbé. It’s a district of the municipality of Abomey-Calavi, located in the department of Atlantic, in Benin. The National Agency of Civil Aviation of Benin (ANAC BENIN) is the civil aviation agency of Benin. ANAC is based in Cotonou.

Benin possesses one international airport in Cotonou and seven airfields in Natitingou, Parakou, Save, Porga, Bembereke, Kana and Kandi. The safety of air transports as well as the technical management of the country’s air space is the responsibility of ASECNA. ASECNA, through SGAB (Service de Gestion des Aéroports du Bénin) is also responsible for the management of Benin’s airport’s infrastructures.

The definition of Benin’s air transport policy, including the negotiation of traffic rights related to the country’s air space is the responsibility of the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC).

Water Transport

Rivers:

Some rivers are rather navigable in Benin. Transportation on the water is also done in small boats that flock the waters of the littoral. Artisanal fishing remains the reference element. The transport of people and goods on the waters of the Niger River and its tributaries in the department of Alibori are suspended until further notice. This is a measure aimed at protecting the population against the serious repercussions of the rising waters of the Niger River and the rivers of Sota, Mekrou and Alibori having already caused extensive damage and loss of life. Weather conditions are hostile to all human mobility in the Niger River Basin.

Sea:

Benin presents a gentle terrain with five different morphological landscapes including the coastal plain that favoured maritime trade. Until the end of the 19th century, maritime trade was done at two points along the coast: Grand - Popo and Ouida.

In these two points, the ships encountered difficulties of docking due to the phenomenon of the bar. Despite the breadth and the violence of this bar, the landing and embarkation of goods and passengers was carried out by transhipment on canoes which were the liaison between the ships anchoring in fairgrounds and the shore, which resulted in fatal accidents and adverse economic consequences.

Thus, was built in December 1891 the 1st wharf with winches with metal frame. But this wharf could not go far enough to facilitate the berthing of ships. It will be rebuilt several times in 1910; 1926; 1928 and 1950 following the doubling of traffic, which should reach 304,000 tons in 1960.

Faced with this inability of the wharf to meet the demands of the traffic, the French colonial authorities of the time entrusted various missions as well as the carrying out of several studies to the Central Bureau of Studies of Overseas Equipment (BCEOM) and the Company. Grenoble of Hydraulic Planning Studies (SOGREAH) from 1952 to 1959 to be able to find better solutions.

On July 10, 1952, Pelnard-Considère, the BCEOM engineer concludes that the best remedy is to establish a deep-sea port rooted on the coast. The in-depth examination of the different solutions (Port à

accumulation of sand, artificial sand transit port and island port) resulted for economic and political reasons to the choice of the Port of accumulation of sand, in deep water in Cotonou.

Thus, the activities of the Port of Cotonou started on December 1, 1964, and the latter experienced the docking of the first ship called "FOCH" at its docks on December 30, 1964. This marked the cessation of activities of the Wharf. As for the official inauguration of the Port of Cotonou, it took place on August 1, 1965. It must be recognized that according to the statistics, the first exercise of benefits of the Port of Cotonou gave a cumulative freight.

miscellaneous (import-export) of 365 000 tonnes. The work of the first extension launched in March 1979 ended in 1983 to respond to the increase in traffic.

The regional vocation of the Port of Cotonou has been confirmed with the maintenance of traffic at a significant level and has also materialized with the construction of bonded warehouses by the authorities of neighbouring landlocked countries (Niger, Mali, Burkina-Faso).

ICT, Telecom services and Internet

The Mobile phone network in Benin is regulated by Benin’s Ministery of Numeric economy and Communication. There are mainly three (3) telecommunication service providers: Moov Africa, Spacetel Benin (MTN) and CELTIIS. You can choose between a prepaid plan or a monthly plan, you will be able to purchase 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 2,500 and 5,000 CFA airtime. If you opt for a package, the price can start at 100 F CFA for 5 minutes of voice communication at Moov Africa for example. You can access the Internet in Benin by going to a cybercafé (few still exist) or investing in a mobile connectivity, modem/router key for this purpose. For one hour of connection, count 150 to 400 FCFA. Benin Telecoms Services, MTN, Moov Africa and Celtiis offer an unlimited or rechargeable plan. Count around 50 000 FCFA for a key, and 10 000 to 15 000 FCFA per month for a fixed price. To have a fixed telephone line installed in your home, it will be necessary to contact Benin Telecoms. The cost of activating a fixed line in Benin will be around 132,000 F CFA. The monthly subscription is 2,700 F CFA. La Poste in Benin is of good quality. But users must be careful, however, if you need to receive mail, you will need to contact your local office to get your PO Box number.

Summarized Views on the Cotonou Autonomous Port

Land access, for both road and rail, is restricted in many African ports since the latter are generally surrounded by densely developed areas. Resulting delays and congestion in both the delivery and removal of cargoes to and from the port affect port capacity while increasing the costs. In some cases, green field sites may be called for, rather than trying to heap more facilities onto an already overcrowded port infrastructure. The draft restriction of 10 metres at the bulk berths restricts vessels to a maximum DWCC (dead weight cargo capacity) of between 30,000 and 40,000 MT. Container vessel operators are pushing the port to increase the maximum draft beyond 10 metres.

The Port of Cotonou is entering now into the active phase of its modernization. The implementation of the 2021-2025 Master Plan contains six (06) value-added projects to renovate the infrastructures and equipment as well as the expansion of the port. The works are estimated at 255 billion FCFA.

The objectives of this work are:

Improved access for larger vessels (length 350m, width 52m)
Efficiency of handling operations
Reduction of waiting time in the harbour
Reduction of truck transit time in the port
Port capacity will be increased to over 20 million tonnes.

Cotonou used to handle about 3.8 million MT of transit cargo - this includes both liquid and dry cargo. About 2.1 million MT out of this tonnage is for Niger. The Cotonou to Niamey corridor is the shortest into Niger.  Abidjan, Lomé and Tema are also gateway ports to Niger for much smaller quantities. There is the cargo to northern Nigeria which goes via Cotonou and Niger.  Smuggling / illegal entry into Nigeria is also a part of the statistics. The goods are declared in transit to Niger, and at Maradi they are diverted to Kano or even taken across the porous border in smaller quantities. Containerised cargo would be in the region of about 300,000 TEU or close. But at least 80 percent of the containers are stripped, and the cargo sent as break bulk.

However, for the year 2022, it can be noted that goods traffic at the Port of Cotonou slowed from its usual flow of almost 1,120,000 tons on average per month between February and July 2022 to just 877,000 tons on average per month from September to December 2022,

Trucking from and through Benin.  

It is a mix of formal and informal.  Formal operators have modern trucks and practices, and the informal operators work with second hand vehicles.  The average age of a truck could be as much as 20 years old. The informal operators overload their trucks to improve profitability and hence they are prone to frequent breakdowns. etc.

The weakness of the framework regulatory framework includes road safety standards, vehicle standards and regulations relating to by weight. For example, overloading trucks is a common practice (concerning 80% of trucks). The SIRGPR theoretically supervises standards and procedures relating to vehicle weights and axle loads of heavy vehicles transporting goods, in accordance with the 2004 UEMOA regulations, but in the in practice, supervision is limited. Benin should build on regional initiatives and strengthen their implementation.

Key points

We should review sending break bulk cargo in jumbo bags for all ports under study. Several benefits have been noticed: Reduced theft, reduced breakages, easier handling, easy to tally etc.
Cotonou port can be heavily congested with commercial vessels having long delays at anchor.
The government has made considerable progress here in port operation, particularly in container terminal.
Until stevedoring is privatised for break bulk cargoes, slow discharge rates and poor handling resulting in cargo damage will continue to be noticed.
Avoid any storage in port itself because of poor warehousing and security.
Vegetable oil need to be shipped in containers.

The road from Cotonou to Parakou (also the rail head) is all asphalted and in good conditions. From Parakou to the border town of Malanville, the road is in bad condition and there are a lot of delays during the rainy season.

Positive aspects:

The WFP Benin’s office has good relationships with both the Benin government and the port. The port and the stevedoring can be influenced to assist WFP during emergency context. Positive developments with all the de-stuffing of containers are done outside port precincts which reduces congestion in the port.

Negative aspects:

There appears to be a growing emphasis on developing the container terminal at the expense of the bulk and break-bulk berths. Limited traditional berths are often congested during the export of cotton season and the imports of commercial fertilizer and commercial rice in break bulk vessels. Growing oligopoly of inland transport companies which limits transportation options and increases costs. It is important to consider the Unreliability of small shipping agencies and smaller transport companies. Slow discharge rates for break bulk vessels, theft in port precincts and unsuitable warehousing in the port itself.

Benin - 2.1 Autonomous Port of Cotonou

Autonomous Port of Cotonou

Port Overview:

The port of Cotonou (PAC) is among the most important ports of West Africa, alongside Abidjan, Lagos, Lomé and Tema. It is strategically located at 150 km east and west of the Nigerian complex Lagos-Apapa and the transhipment port of Lomé; in 2020, the port have handled a volume of 10 million tonnes (mt) of annual freight and 500,000 containers. In addition to serving as a preferred supply channel for the market internally, the PAC has a sub-regional role. It serves landlocked countries such as Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso for which it constitutes an important transit port. The port has a free zone available to landlocked Sahelian countries, mainly Niger. The PAC plays also the role of relay port for the Nigerian economy, which is the second largest transit volume after Niger.

The PAC trades with Europe, North and South America and Asia, making Cotonou a "warehouse city" generating intense trade, handling and logistics activity.

The government is closely working with the bilateral and multilateral partners to build the capacity of a second-deep terminal called Seme (not yet active), existing between Cotonou and Nigeria border: Seme Port

Seme Terminal
Port Authority: Seme Terminal
Country: Benin - BEN
Country time zone: +1
Port time zone: GMT +1
Latitude: 06° 15.0' N
Longitude: 02° 40.0' E
Current status : Port Closed
UNCTAD : BJSEM

Autonome Port of Cotonou website 

Key port information may also be found here.

PORT LOCATION & CONTACT
Country:	Benin
Province or District:	Cotonou, Littoral Department
Town or City: (Nearest location with distance from port)	Km:0
Port's Complete Name:	Port Autonome de Cotonou
Latitude:	6° 21' 00” N.
Longitude:	2° 25' 59” E.
Managing Company or Port Authority: (If more than one operator, break down by area of operation)	Port of Antwerp Bruges
Management Contact Person:	Didier HOUNGBEDJI Chef Service Commercial Port Autonome de Cotonou, dhoungbedji@pac.br/ contact@pac.bj   +229 290 25 78 95/ +229 21 31 28 93
Nearest Airport and Airlines: (Airlines with frequent international arrivals/departures)	Airport Name: Cotonou Cadjehoun Airport Airlines: Air Burkina; Air Côte d’Ivoire; Air France; Air Mali; Arik Air; ASKY Airlines; Brussels Airlines; Camair-Co; Ceiba Intercontinental Airlines; COTAIR; Cronos Airlines; Ethiopian Airlines; Interair South Africa; Karinou Airlines; Kenya Airlines; Mauritania Airlines International; Royal Air Maroc; Air Sénégal; South African Airways; Toumai Air Chad; Trans Air Congo; Westair Benin, Rwandair Cargo Airlines: Air France Cargo

Port Picture:

image-20240213115332-1

image-20240213115332-2

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

In the deep-sand accumulation of sand, the Port of Cotonou offers the great advantage of providing the ships with a sheltered body of water, which can enable them to carry out commercial and refuelling operations under excellent conditions.

The Cotonou Port Authority is a governmental entity that manages the port. For handling and manual labour SOBEMAP is a state-owned company that maintains monopoly for conventional handling, while Maersk and Bolloré competes in container handling through their subsidiaries COMAN and SMTC. A complete list of port partners, transit companies and more can be consulted at https://portdecotonou.bj/communaute-portuaire/

This provision contributes to the efficiency of the Port and the speed of stopovers. The Port of Cotonou is an economic space where several structures take charge of the operations necessary for the passage of ships, people and goods. The target of this research is not only to measure the performance of the PAC but also to show the contribution for the emergence of the Benin by enumerating some perspectives or initiatives.

Port Performance:

The different dimensions of the port of Cotonou are as follows:

Port area: 120 ha.
Limit of port jurisdiction on land: 1.62 km²;
Area of navigable waters of the port: 1.8 km²;
Limit of offshore port jurisdiction: 12 nautical miles (including the zone compulsory pilotage, the harbor and the anchorage area);
Total platform: 2,951.73 m;
Tidal range: - 0.2 to 1.8 m;
Draft of the largest vessel: 13.5 m;
Maximum draft: 15 m; And
Length of the largest vessel: 300 m (larger vessel size when current work is completed).

After the work, the new PAC should (1) have replaced its old infrastructure, adapted vessel access to the market demand (depth of 15m and length per station of 340m); (2) containerized cargo ship, vessels of 340m and 14m draft, handling capacity annual 1.8 to 2.0 million TEU; (3) created modern terminals adapted to demand and with increased capacity; (4) hydrocarbons: increase in vessel capacity and storage capacity; (5) added a dedicated Ro-Ro berth.

This should allow the port to operate more effectively in the coming years and its capacity as forecasted by 2027 will pass from about 20 million Tonnes to 25 million.

SAISONAL PERIOD IN BENIN
Départements	Saisons Sèches	Saisons pluvieuses
Alibori	November - April	May- October
Atacora	November - April	May- October
Borgou	November - April	May- October
Donga	November - April	May- October
Collines	December - March	April- July
Collines	August	September, November
Zou	December - March	April - July
Zou	August	September, November
Plateau	December - March	April - July
Plateau	August	September, November
Couffo	December - March	April – July
Couffo	August	September, November
Mono	December - March	April - July
Mono	Août	Septembre Novembre
Atlantique	December - March	April - July
Atlantique	August	September, November
Ouéme	December - March	April - July
Ouéme	August	September November
Littoral	December - Mars	April- July
Littoral	August	September, November

On the other hand, the stores and other facilities made available to the customers are

SEASONAL CONSTRAINTS
	Yes / No	From <month> to <month>
Rainy Season	Yes	May to Mi-November
Major Import Campaigns	Yes	Rice, Sugar, Construction materials and Equipment
Other	Yes	Year holidays. But it has been mentioned that the customs direction is in dynamic of perfection.

HANDLING FIGURES 2022
Vessel Calls:	340
Container Traffic: (TEUs)	526 000

Handling Figures Bulk and Break Bulk	Year 2022
Bulk (MT)	436,334
Break bulk (MT)	2,959,511

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges:

Port fees, which entails tugging, piloting, mooring and port dues will amount to about 5 000 000 XOF. General cargo handling is at about 5 000 XOF per tonne while bulk handling is around 2 500 XOF per tonne. For updates on conventional handling charges SOBEMAP can be consulted. Container handling charges are found in the table below and updates can be obtained from COMAN and SMTC.

The Container Terminal /The Benin terminal is owned and operated by Africa Global Logistics (AGL) who replaced Bolloré Africa Logistics as a public-private partnership together with the Port Autonome de Cotonou. The access channel is dredged to 11.00 metres and is designed to accommodate vessels of 10 metres maximum draft.

Storage areas / inland container depots in vicinity: Transit storage area of 100,000 m2 for cargo to Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali. Warehousing is either performed by SOBEMAP or AGL and there is 500,000 square meters of bonded warehouses inside the port. All port warehouse which adjoint the quay side are old and dilapidated with difficult access. The bad state of repair includes leaking roofs, cracked concrete surfacing, dirty and poor ventilation. It should be noted that SOBEMAP do not recognise the client tally on entering the warehouses. The only tally recognised is the SOBEMAP tally on exit from the warehouses which can result in considerable losses. Changes in handling containers in the port of Cotonou. Generally, the Un-stuffing (stripping) of containers does not occurs inside the port precincts. Cargos destined for Benin are taken to Zongo (less than 1 KM from the port) where the containers are stripped, inspected, and distributed for delivery in break bulk on trucks. For transit cargo to other countries, there is a new facility at Allada (about 40 KMS from Cotonou).

WFP has been granted a concession by the Port Authorities that all WFP cargo (transit to other countries or delivery within Benin) could be stripped inside the Port premises and be moved in breakbulk on trucks to destinations. One of the most important effects of this is the improvement of conditions in the port container area where there is much less congestion with a separate exit for all the trucks loaded with containers to leave the port. Located on a sandy coast on the southern edge of the city of Cotonou, the Port of Cotonou is located at 6 ° 11'22 "North and 2 ° 26'30" East. It has a water of 80ha, covers an area of 400,000m2 and has an exceptional location that makes it a regional port. The Port of Cotonou proves to be the nearest outlet to the sea, and the least rugged to serve the eastern landlocked countries such as Mali and Burkina Faso. In the sub region, the Port of Cotonou is approximately equidistant from the Ports of Lagos (Nigeria) and Lomé (Togo) respectively 115km and 135km. Finally, it is the first transit port of the Republic of Niger, the closest and fastest relay and transhipment port to Nigeria.

Stevedoring and Cargo Handling: SOBEMAP (Societé Beninoise des Manutentions Portuaires) is the only available stevedoring company in Benin with a concession to handle break bulk / bulk in the port. It can be best described as a QUANGO (quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisation).

As well as break bulk / bulk cargo, SOBEMAP also offers cargo handling for containers, RO-RO cargo and warehousing. There is speculation that SOBEMAP may be privatised, and it is believed that both Bolloré and Necotrans would have a strong interest in participating in the process. Container handling is already performed by Coman (APM Terminals) and SMTC (Bolloré). Grimaldi (with RO-RO vessels) and SOBEMAP control the stevedoring for loading and discharging vehicles. While organizations like the Millennium Project support the point of view that conventional cargo is being reduced and containerized cargo is increasing, break bulk and bulk cargos will continue to be imported. During our port visit, all bulk and break-bulk berths were occupied with vessels discharging rice and other bulk material. Several vessels were discharging rice in 50 KGS bags and others were discharging bulk rice into bagging machines alongside the vessels. In addition, the port handles bulk imports of fertilizer. Methods of handling cargo is very basic. In the instance of MV Black Eagle (WFP charter), a yoke was used for each hook, carrying 2 nets for either bags or cartons. To make a comparison, multiple bundles up to 25 tons are handled in Abidjan, using rope/web slings and no nets. (Source: Niels Olsen Report). All commercial rice vessels bringing rice in bags are using the same methods but obtain better results as they carry only one commodity and usually discharge from 4 hatches simultaneously which will result in a daily discharge figure of 2,000 MT discharged working 3 shifts. SOBEMAP, SMTC (Bolore), APM Terminals (COMAN) all do container handling and Grimaldi / SOBEMAP do handling of car importation which is a large element. Car carriers are given priority berthing as well. Only SOBEMAP have the concession for break bulk/bulk handling, which as mentioned earlier, is inefficient and unproductive.

Overland transport to Niger - Distances: Cotonou to Malanville: 735 KMS. Malanville to Gaya: 5 KM. Gaya to Dosso: 139 KM. Dosso to Niamey: 139 KM. Dosso to Maradi: 524 KM. Dosso to Zinder: 753 KM.

Transit times (from vessel berthing): Every freight forwarding company gives conflicting information on this issue. This is a result of insufficient trucks resulting in waiting times, inclement weather, customs, and inspections delays in route and delays at border crossings at Malanville. During the discharge of the MV Black Eagle in May and June 2017, our Port Captain Niels Olsen ascertained the following information for Bolloré and CAT Logistics.

Table below taken from WFP contracts with FFA during rainy and dry season – just as illustration.

Destination in Niger Bolloré and CAT Logistics Rain and DrySeason.

Destination	Bolloré		CAT Logistics
Destination	Leadtime in Rain season	Leadtime in Dry season	Leadtime in Rain season	Leadtime in Dry season
Agadez	36 days	23 days	28 days	18 days
Maradi	33 days	21 days	30 days	20 days
Niamey	27 days	18 days	35 days	23 days
Tahoua	33 days	21 days	33 days	21 days
Zinder	35 days	23 days	33 days	21 days

Seasons and competing cargoes possibly affecting cargo operations.

The principal rainy season is from April to late July, with a shorter less intense rainy period from late September to November. The main dry season is from December to April, with a short cooler dry season from late July to early September. Obviously, the transit times vary between the wet and dry seasons (as per above table). In addition, there is a transport competition for the import of commercial rice and fertilizers during the year. Also, the situation on the borders with large queues of waiting trucks and the slow processing of customs documents (SYDONIA system) at all points of the journey from exit to arrival exacerbates the situation. This creates a shortage of trucks for landlocked countries like Niger, that also has a quota system in force on the number of units with Niger or Benin registration that can be allowed. These issues exist even though both nations are members of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States). As per our observations in Cameroon, there is a good argument to avoid discharging break bulk vessels at Cotonou during the rainy seasons.

Rail connections

Benin's railway network is divided into three lines: from Cotonou to Parakou (438 km); from Pahou to Segbohoue via Ouidah (33 km), and from Cotonou to Pobe via Porto-Novo (107 km).

The former Benin-Niger Railway and Transport Organization (OCBN) operated the service until 2014, when it was delivered under concession to Beninrail.

The track and rolling stock are in poor condition and the operation of the line is in pause due to cancellation of the concession contract.

Berthing Specifications:

Type of Berth	Quantity	Length (m)	Maximum Draft (m)	Comments
Conventional Berth	5	150-300	10	2 Berth general cargo with 9.5m draft. 2 berth general cargo with 10m draft and 1 car carrier/heavy/general cargo/slag, gypsum, clinker with 150m length and 10m draft.
Container Berth	3	500	10	Berth containers & roro vessels
Silo Berth	1	150	10	Old Silo berth existing but to be rebuilt
Berthing Tugs	3
Water Barges	10

Berth number 5 is the only berth dedicated for heavy general cargo vessels. The vessel is often lighted at the berth and then shifted towards 3 berths. Two private container terminal operated by SMTC (Bollore) and COMAN (Maersk) operate two shore cranes at quay 6/7-8. Tanker vessels are only allowed to dock and sail in daylight. Draught is calculated on the of basis high tide. Work was done in 2011 to add two (2) berths of total 550 meters with a depth of 13.5 meters. The old berths will also be dug out to attain 13.5 meters. Below is the port layout with the new berths included.

Illustrations: Breakdown of WFP cargo into Cotonou and re-export from 2020 through 31 August 2023:

	2020	2021	2022	2023
Import Océan & Terrestre	1 349,48	3 487,25	4 096,02	3 019,39
Export Hinterland	6 42,635	4 357,80	3 510,50	411,756

(3) the extension of the area of hydrocarbons (fuel) and port access.

However, used vehicle storage activities have royalty rates of 2000 F / m2 / year (zone far from the Port), 5000 F / m2 / year (customs free zone), 8000 F / m2 / year (bonded area).

however, stores and other facilities made available to customers are subject to royalty rates that reflect the investments made by the licensor.

2019-2023: The actual ongoing work at the Port foresees an expansion on three levels:

(1) the pier;

(2) the capacity of container ship berths, and

For the year 2022, we can note that merchandise traffic at the Port of Cotonou experienced a slowdown in its usual flow, passing from nearly 1,120,000 tonnes on average per month between February and July 2022 at only 877,000 tonnes in average per month from September to December 2022.

It is true port of transit and transhipment, the Port of Cotonou represents in the sub-region, a privileged place of exchanges in the maritime and port domains. This strategic position that these assets confer on it cannot be meritorious, if the management of the spaces does not offer possibilities of implantation of various activities which made competitive the Port of Cotonou. The management of the Port Estate remains the bedrock and indispensable support for the exercise and development of port activities. With an area of approximately 1000 hectares with its water, the Port of Cotonou is, without a doubt the most attractive Port for operators and this in all areas (Safety of people and property, Ship Assistance, Manpower, etc.). Thus, the economic operator wishing to invest in the port area must approach the structure responsible for the management of the port area of the Autonomous Port of Cotonou to inquire about the formalities to be fulfilled. However, it is useful to remind customers that the Port district is subdivided into specific homogeneous spaces called Zones. Zones are defined as follows:

1st Zone From the edge to the quay to the rails bordering the store-holdings on the South side;

2nd Zone is between the rails and the customs fence which delimits the enclosure of the Port;

3rd Zone is between the customs fence and the boulevard de la Marina. It also includes the Fishing Port Zone;

4th Zone includes some land and buildings between the Boulevard de la Marina and Boulevard Jean Paul II;

5th Zone Extra Port Zone (ZEP) located in AKPAKPA, a peripheral district of Cotonou.

The Extension Zone, located after the container park to the west within the harbour enclosure.

The port constituency also includes land at EKPE (14 hectares) and DJEGBE (10 hectares) on the Porto Novo Road. Regarding the royalty rates, they are the most flexible compared to those practiced in the sub-region. As an indication, these rates vary from 600 F / m2 / year to 1200 F/ m2 / year depending on the area occupied for bare land-conceded under private investment.

Benin - 2.2 Aviation

Benin Aviation 

Link map and list of Benin Airports. The National Agency of Civil Aviation (ANAC) was created in the Republic of Benin, by decree N ° 2004-598 of October 29, 2004, replacing the Civil Aviation Directorate (DAC). It’s a public administrative and technical institution. It has moral personality and financial autonomy. ANAC is placed under the supervision of the Minister of Civil Aviation with strictly independent of the structures it controls, on behalf of the Rep of Benin.

ANAC oversees ensuring, on behalf of the state, regulatory and control missions in the field of civil aviation. Thus, it provides benefits for the state even if some of them are paid, they go into the account of the state. However, she is not compelled to make profits. It only ensures the sovereign functions in civil aviation. In addition, it defines and executes state policy and represents it with all international civil aviation organizations. It also controls all airlines operating on the territory of the Republic of Benin, both domestic operators and foreign operators (regional and international) by granting them authorization and approval.

Benin Government Contact – ANAC:

Airport names shown in bold indicate the airport has scheduled service on commercial airlines.

City served	Department	ICAO	IATA	Airport Name	Coordinates
Bembèrèkè	Borgou	DBBR		Bembereke Airport	10°16′25″N 002°41′46″E
Bohicon	Zou	DBBC		Cana Airport	07°07′32″N 002°02′49″E
Cotonou	Littoral	DBBB	COO	Cadjehoun Airport	06°21′26″N 002°23′04″E
Djougou	Donga	DBBD	DJA	Djougou Airport	09°41′31″N 001°38′15″E
Kandi	Alibori	DBBK	KDC	Kandi Airport	11°08′41″N 002°56′23″E
Natitingou	Atakora	DBBN	NAE	Boundétingou Airport	10°22′37″N 001°21′37″E
Parakou	Borgou	DBBP	PKO	Parakou Airport	09°21′25″N 002°36′33″E
Porga	Atakora	DBBO		Porga Airport	11°02′47″N 000°59′35″E
Savé	Collines	DBBS	SVF	Savé Airport	08°01′05″N 002°27′52″E

Procedures for Foreign Registered Aircraft

The application for the operating license of a foreign airline is handled in accordance with each company which is invited to appropriate. All the necessary guidelines and form could be found at the ANAC official platform.

The same rules apply to chartered flights and humanitarian flights. The company wishing to serve Cotonou must be designated by its Civil Aviation Authority of tutelage to the ANAC Benin. It must also take the necessary steps near its Authority so that the said designation is notified to the ANAC Benin through the diplomatic channel.

In addition, the company must complete this questionnaire carefully so that its file can be studied. In the said questionnaire, it is requested to attach certain valid documents. These documents (Copy of the articles of association, the commercial register, the PEA or AOC, the air operator's authorization or the company's operating license, certificates of airworthiness, registration, noise limitation, radio station, insurance of each aircraft, etc.) must be provided to facilitate the study of the company's file. It is important to specify that at the end of the documentary phase, the company must undergo, in accordance with the national regulations in force, an inspection at its base. If the inspection reveals no major discrepancy, it is authorized by a Decision of the Director General of ANAC. As part of the renewal of the operating authorization of a foreign airline, it must fill out the aircraft authorization application form , print it and submit it to the ANAC Benin for study. Any renewal of the operating license of a foreign airline must be requested no later than three (03) months before the expiry of the current authorization.

The aircraft authorization that usually accompanies the company's operating decision cannot, in any case, be valid for more than the company's PEA / AOC for which the company's authorized operating license is mentioned. For any difficulty or any need for clarification, do not hesitate to contact the competent services of ANAC who are at your service for a safe, orderly and prosperous civil aviation.

UEMOA Zone Community Membership regulations:

Community Code of Civil Aviation of UEMOA Member States:

Regulation No. 08/2013 / CM / UEMOA adopting the Community Civil Aviation Code of UEMOA Member States:

National Regulations:
Benin has a new Civil and Commercial Aviation Code. The code replaces the 1963 Ordinance, which was previously used as a basic document.

There are also new decrees; arrested, decisions, Aeronautical Regulations of Benin (RAB), and Procedure

Some application documents:

OPERATING PERMIT QUESTIONNAIRE FOR FOREIGN AIRLINES

Procedure Overview / Landing:

General Rules

The National Agency of Civil Aviation of Benin (ANAC - Benin) authorizes any overflight of the Beninese national territory or any landing on any of the aerodromes open to the international air traffic in Benin that under precise conditions and in close relationship with the Military Cabinet. As such, any request for overflight and landing must be sent to the ANAC within a strict deadline of at least 72 HOURS before the scheduled date of operation to allow for a processing and a procedure of checks and controls in force.

All requests must be made during the working days of service at the ANAC - Benin as follows: from Monday to Friday (except holidays in Benin). from 8:00 to 12:30 and 15:00 to 18:30 (GMT + 1).

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Weekends and holidays: In addition to the days declared "public" in the Republic of Benin, no permanence is available at the ANAC - Benin weekends (Saturday and Sunday).

As such, all the necessary provisions must be made by the operators to get possession of their overflight and landing numbers during the working days and hours of service specified above.

Specific case of EVASAN or "ambulance" aircraft: For specific cases of "ambulance" or "EVASAN" flights, subsequent special provisions derogating from point "1" of the "NB" will be published later.

Contacts and email to apply for overflight and landing

Any request for overflight or landing must be addressed to ANAC Benin through one of the following modes: Phone: (+229) 21.30.92.17, Fax. (+229) 21.30.45.71, Email: clearance@anac.bj , Or directly online.

Benin - 2.2.1 Cardinal Bernardin Gantin International Airport of Cotonou

International Airport (Aéroport International de Cotonou - Cardinal Bernardin Gantin)

Cotonou-Cadjehoun Airport is the only international airport of the country. It is located about 5km from downtown. Cotonou International Airport is the largest airport in Benin. Its international code (IATA code) is COO. This is the one that appears on your luggage labels when you take a flight to Benin. Its ICAO code is DBBB. It was renamed Cardinal Bernardin Gantin International Airport by President Thomas Yayi Boni. Cardinal Bernardin Gantin deceased on May 13, 2008, was a Benin cardinal who was the first African to head a dicastery in Saint-Pierre-de-Rome.

The Cotonou International Airport allows domestic service as well as international and intercontinental flights and is also a base of the Benin Air Force and a place of practice of leisure aviation.

Geo-location

Location Details
Country	Rep of Benin	Latitude	6° 21′ 26″ N
Province / District	Littoral	Longitude	2° 23′ 4″ E
Town or City (Closest)	Cotonou	Elevation (ft and m)	6 M (20 FT)
Airfield Name	Cardinal Bernardin Gantin International Airport of Cotonou)- COO	IATA and ICAO Codes	COO/ DBBB
Open From (hours)	00:00H	Open To (hours)	24H

image-20240213152324-1

Runways

The airport complex covers 250 hectares at an altitude close to that of the sea (6m). Its single-track measures 2400 meters over a width of 45 meters on a 06/24 orientation.

The parking space is wide and there are good security conditions. The airport is well equipped (light, markings on the ground, tie down facilities, etc). Maintenance and unloading areas are available. Fuel access is located on the parking area (Bouche RVT KER Fuel hydrant service: 6 M).

AD (Aérodrome) prohibited for ACFT not equipped with bilateral radio communications. Circuit pattem on the right obligatory for RWY 24 and circuit pattem on the right prohibited for RWY 06. U-turn on runway prohibited for ACFT superior to 40 T weight. Obligatory U-tum on the tum-over aeras at the end of runway.

So, the aircraft can taxi directly to the location for refuelling. There are five possible fuel connections. MIL: 4700 M2 - CIV: NA Surface: Bitumen and bituminous concretes Strength: B 747 and A300.

Width: 22 M (TWY A) - 21,10 M (TWY B) Surface: Bituminous concretes Strength: TWY A: B 747 - TWY B: NA

Guide lines at apron and ground markings. Ground guide lines on TWY. RWY: White lights LIH and yellow on the last 600 meters. Raquettes: Blue lights with B 747 tum-around system - TWY: Blue lights LIL.

There isn’t in the others AD in Benin, any local meteorological center able to provide air navigation protection. This service is provided, on requested, by COTONOU main meteorological center with which air protection request at the departure AD must be formulated with a minimum notice of 4 hours.

Runway #1
Runway Dimensions	2,400 M x 45M
Orientation	6/24
Surface	Concrete

Runway #1

Runway Dimensions

2,400 M x 45M

Orientation

6/24

Surface

Concrete

Helicopter Pad(s)

There is no Helicopter Pads at the Benin airport. The Airport authorities are using some nevertheless spaces of the aeroplanes for helicopters like the planes parking area inside the domestic terminal.

Airport Infrastructure Details

As per the news obtained from airport authorities, the Renovation work on the former parking area took place between May and September 2013. However, some of it still needs to be done continuously, as the car park routes on the renovated areas, including the positions for the wide-body aircraft. The new arrival hall has finally opened in early December 2017 after a delay of more than a year.

However, there is still a deterioration of the state of the airport equipment including for the most recent equipment with recurring breakdowns (eg all X-Ray emergency scanners are down).

Finally, the state of the airport fence is becoming more and more worrying with holes in some places. It is therefore necessary to rehabilitate and enhance it as soon as possible.

The airfield and the equipment are well maintained. Accessible sanitary facilities, shops, parking, refreshments and air-conditioned halls allow passengers to wait for their flight in the best conditions. With a flight timeliness greater than 90%, the Cotonou International Airport guarantees you a flawless air experience.

To facilitate the trip, they advise all the passengers to take all the necessary measures to be in order with the sanitary formalities (vaccines, vaccination book), customs and administrative (passport, visa, etc.).

Customs	Yes	JET A-1 fuel	Yes
Immigration	Yes	AVGAS 100	Yes
Terminal Building	Yes	Single Point Refuelling	Yes
Passenger Terminal	Yes	Air Starter Units	Yes
Cargo terminal	Yes	Ground Power (mobile)	Yes
Pax transport to airfield	Yes	Ground Handling Services	Yes
Control Tower	Yes	Latrine Servicing	Yes
Weather Facilities	Yes	Fire Fighting Category (ICAO)	Yes
Catering Services	Yes	De-icing Equipment	Yes
Base Operating Room	Yes	Parking Ramp Lighting	Yes
Airport Radar	Yes	Approach & Runway Lights	Approach Lights : N/A Runway lights : Yes
NDB	Yes	VOR	Yes
ILS	Yes

Passenger and Cargo Performance Indicator

Cotonou International Airport recorded for the month of November 2022:

❖42,631 passengers (20,462 arrivals & 20,355 departures),

❖684 movements and

❖395 tonnes of cargo (160 Import & 235 Export).

Passenger traffic (42,631): an increase of (+26%) compared to traffic in November 2021.

The Maghreb & the West occupies first place with 17,966 passengers, second place goes to West Africa with 12,223 passengers and Central Africa occupies 3rd place with 7,494 passengers. Cumulative traffic is +32% compared at the same time of year 2021.

Aircraft movements (684): an increase of (+5%) compared to aircraft movement traffic in November 2021. West Africa occupies first place with 313 movements, the Maghreb & the West occupies second place with 189 movements, Central Africa comes in third position with 189 movements, and finally East Africa & Australia occupies last place with 34 movements. Cumulative traffic is +18% compared to the same period of the year 2021.

Link to the statistics

Performance for November 2022	Annual Figures	Monthly	Daily
Total aircraft movements		684
Total passengers		42 631
Total capacity of the airport (metric tonnes)	25,000 Mt	2, 083 Mt	690 Kg
Current activity of the airport (metric tonnes Oct 2018 before Dec 2018)	24,000 Mt	2,400 Mt	800 Kg
Current use by Humanitarian flights (UNHAS)	N/A	N/A	N/A

Airport Operating Details

Cotonou Airport is managed by Paris International Airport (PIA). Based on the report of the Ad Hoc Committee set up by the Beninese State to define a better management framework for Benin's aerodromes, the Beninese Government authorized the creation of a public-law, the holding and management of airport assets in Benin. As such, it has been established that specialized companies recruited to manage. Therefore, the government has agreed to negotiate with Paris International Airport for the management of Cotonou Airport.

The contract for the completion of the work of Glo-Djigbé International Airport (40 Km out of Cotonou) was signed between Benin and China in 2017. The execution of this contract will last three (3) years, and the technical follow-up is entrusted to the Paris airport. China has promised to deliver the brand-new airport before 2021. It will be remembered that this project is one of the first to be tackled by the Government as soon as it is taken over and re-stated in the PAG Government's action program. From now on, its realization enters in its active phase and associates China, France and Benin. The Council of Ministers yesterday validated this project whose outcome will reveal even more Benin our country in the sub region and in the world. Slowly but surely the government of Patrice Talon accomplishes without hype the sites announced to the Beninese people

image-20240213152325-2

It’s to note that the former President Yayi Boni has inaugurated on April 5, 2016 (the day before the investiture of President Talon), Tourou airport located in the city of Parakou in the north of the country. Infrastructure is still under construction, and that work is still struggling to move forward.

Facilities details

Operating Details
Maximum sized aircraft which can be offloaded on bulk cargo:	AN 124 100/200
Maximum sized aircraft that can be offloaded on pallet	747 cargoes/A300
Total aircraft parking area (m²)	32,000
Storage Area (mt)	46,420	Cubic Meters (m³)	4,642,000
Cargo Handling Equipment Available (Yes / No)	Yes	If "Yes" specify below
Elevators / Hi Loaders (Yes / No)	Yes	Max Capacity (Mt)	45
Can elevators / hi loaders reach the upper level of a B747 (Yes / No)	Yes
Loading Ramps (Yes / No)	Yes

Storage Facilities

Modem handling facilities Weight limited under 14000 KGS

Airfield Cost

Navigation Charges

The Authorities of the airport applied to the passenger services the following charges:

1 700 XOF per departing passenger for domestic flights
10 000 XOF per departing passenger for international tax.
8 350 XOF per passenger for transportation charge
1 000 XOF per passenger for security for domestic flights
5 200 XOF per passenger for international flights.

Import	Rate US$ / kg
Handling Charge per kg	High Intensity -Cotonou, Airport 83,000 XOF / MT for aircraft of 75 tonnes or less 108,000 XOF / MT for Aircraft over 75 tonnes Low Intensity 40,500 XOF /MT
Break Bulk Fee	50 XOF/Kg
Diplomatic Mail	Free
Strong Room – per consignment	yes
Cold Storage Fee	No
Delivery outside normal working hours	21%
Preparation of substitute AOA – Invoice – Receipt
Storage per kg per day – Grace period? hours	Maxi 5 working days
Export	Rate US$ / kg
Handling charges – Unpalletized cargo	132/Mt
International Air WayBill	??
Local Air WayBill	??
Air Way Bill Amendment - Cancellation	N/A
Air Way Bill Documentation	??
Diplomatic Mail	Free
Storage charges per kg per day	50 XOF/Kg

Air-bridge Charges

The Air-bridges are not available at the airport. It has been directly negotiated directly by PIA.

Security

The security of the airport premises is ensured by the National Air Police agents who are also in charge of the safety of the interior. The level of security procedures is fair. CCTV is being installed in the airport premises. Scanning machines are available at the airport. The airport is fenced and guarded by security agents. Outing Gate Payment materials are being installed.

Companies Available 

COTONOU AIRPORT LINK TO COMPANY CONTACT LIST. 

Aircraft Weight - MTOW (kg)		Navigation (per journey) USD - $	Landing USD - $	Parking	Handling Charges
0 7,001 136,001	7,000 136,000 and over	Maximum take-off weight in Certificate of Airworthiness and distance flown. For MTOW up to 14 tonnes, the charge payable is fixed at the rate of EUR 211.69 on international flights, EUR 88.14 on national flights and 84.99 on regional flights	International First 25 tonnes: 2 616 XOF / MT From the 26th to the 75th tonne: 5 229 XOF / MT From the 76th to the l50th tonne: 7 397 XOF / MT Over 150 tonnes: 6 945 XOF / MT Domestic First 14 tonnes: 572 (min 1 439) XOF / MT From the l5th to the 25th tonne: 2 113 XOF / MT From the 26th to the 75th tonne: 4 218 XOF / MT From the 76th to the l50th tonne: 5 333 XOF / MT Over 150 tonnes: 4 984 XOF / MT Tourist aircraft weighing 2 tonnes or less: 1 439 XOF / MT	PARKING CHARGES First two hours free; thereafter: Aircraft Weight x hours x tariff: Tariff on traffic Aprons: 50 XOF x Tariff other areas: 25 XOF	High Intensity (at Niamey airport only) 83 746 F CFA / MT for aircraft of 75 tonnes or less 106 079 F CFA / MT for Aircraft over 75 tonnes Low Intensity 41 876 F CFA /MT


Note 1: Night landing hours are between 00:00 – 24:00 hours Note 2: Parking charges are for each 1 hour or part of. $0.4 per Mt / per hour from the second hour. Note 3: All these charges are administered by the PIA/ANAC

Fuel Services Charges

The SONACOP is the sole provider of the fuel services at the airport. The price of Jet A-1 varies if it is for a domestic flight or an international flight.

KER (JET A1): Flow 135 M3/H Capacity 760 M3. Payment in € and US$ or FCFACORLAY BENIN (MRS): KER (JET A1): Flow 180 M3/H Capacity 530 M3 - KER (JET A1): PUMA ENERGY BENIN. Flow 120 M3/H - Capacity 685 M3. Payment cash in US$ and € or FCFA. Payment by credit cards (UVAIR/WORLD FUEL SERVICES). Services period: 24 hours /24 - 7days /7. 24HR for volume upper above 465 M3Payment in € - US$ or FCFA. Credit cards (UVAIR). Card MRS, world fuel accepted only by service CORLAY-BENIN (MRS). Types of the fuel are KER (JET A1): CORLAY-BENIN (MRS), PUMA ENERGY BENIN et SONACOP

	Price per Unit
Jet A-1	1.1410/Litre
Avgas	0.97/Litre

Cargo Terminal Charges

For all the cargo terminal charges, it is preferable to negotiate directly with SOGEAC and obtain a quotation. Other charges that could be included are:

Passenger Service Charges of $26 from Africa to $31 Out of Africa

Passenger Security Charge of $5

ASU is $128.06 per start

Baggage Recognition of $248

Infrastructure Charge of $25 per Passenger

GPU: the first hour is $193 and is $96 from the second hour 

Passengers Transportation of $41 per flight

Toilets servicing of $96.29

Benin - 2.2.2 Parakou Airport

PARAKOU AIRFILED

Parakou Airport (IATA: PKO, ICAO: DBBP) is a public use airport located 1 km northwest of Parakou, Borgou, Benin. It is to be replaced by a new airport in Tankaro, about 10 km northwest of Parakou with an asphalt runway exceeding 2000 m. Parakou airfield is a national airfield without any facilities at the site and is considered as opened by the National Navigation Authority.

Airfield Details
Country	Benin	Latitude	9°21′25.6″N
Province / District	Depart of Borgou	Longitude	2°36′33.2″E
Airfield Name	Parakou	Elevation (ft)	1,289 ft / 393 m
IATA & ICAO codes	PKO/DBBP	Surface	GRASS
Town or City (closest)	Parakou	Runway Condition	Bad
NGO / UN (on ground)	N/A	Passenger / Cargo Security Screening (Yes / No)	No
Runway Dimension	5,250ft 1,600m	Ground Handling (Yes / No)	No
Refuelling Capacity	N/A	Runway Lighting (Yes / No)	No
Runway Heading	04/22	Fire Fighting Equipment (Yes / No)	No
Air Traffic Control (Yes / No)	No	Windsock (Yes / No)	No
Weather Information (Yes / No)	No	Aircraft Parking space (Yes / No)	No
Navigation Aids (Yes / No)	No	Perimeter fencing (Yes / No)	No

Fuel Services Charges

Fuel for airplanes is not available at Parakou airfield.

	Price per Unit
Jet A-1	N/A
Avgas	N/A

Royalties / Non-Objection Fees (NOFs)

There are no royalties to be paid at Parakou airfield.

image-20240213152723-1

Benin - 2.2.3 Bohicon-Cana Airport

Bohicon AIRFIELD

Bohicon/Cana Airport (ICAO: DBBC) is a public use airport located 3Km in south-southwest of Bohicon, Zou department.

Airfield Details
Country	Benin	Latitude	7°7′31.5″N
Province / District	Zou	Longitude	2°2′48.5″E
Airfield Name	Cana Airport	Elevation (ft)
IATA & ICAO codes	DBBC	Surface	ASPHALT
Town or City (closest)	Bohicon	Runway Condition	Good
NGO / UN (on ground)	N/A	Passenger / Cargo Security Screening (Yes / No)	No
Runway Dimension	8,450ft/2,576m	Ground Handling (Yes / No)	No
Refueling Capacity	N/A	Runway Lighting (Yes / No)	No
Runway Heading	04/22	Fire Fighting Equipment (Yes / No)	No
Air Traffic Control (Yes / No)	No	Windsock (Yes / No)	Yes
Weather Information (Yes / No)	No	Aircraft Parking space (Yes / No)	No
Navigation Aids (Yes / No)	No	Perimeter fencing (Yes / No)	No

Fuel Services Charges

Fuel for airplanes is not available at Bohicon Cana airfield.

	Price per Unit
Jet A-1	N/A
Avgas	N/A

Royalties / Non-Objection Fees (NOFs)

There are no royalties to be paid at the Bohicon Cana airfield.

image-20240213153306-1

Benin - 2.3 Road Network

Road Network

https://www.actualitix.com/carte-benin.html#routiere

Lien List of the national road (Routes nationales) in Benin

As the information indicated by the Ministry of transports officials, Benin National roads network represent about 16,000 km inventoried in the country.

The Road is the main mode of transport inside the country. The transport department indicated that it could be about 10% to 11% increase per year of traffic on asphalted roads and about 6% to 7% on non-asphalted roads over the last 15 years (2003 -2018).

About 11.25% of the primary roads in Benin are asphalted or paved. The paved stretch can be mostly found in the southern region (Zou, Littoral and Plateau) and the principal towns. The Secondary roads make up around 33% and consist of lateral and gravel roads. The roads network remained in poor condition despites some of them are under long plans of construction. There are different projects that the government intends to launch with the support of development partners. Benin’s geographical position makes it as a main corridor to other West African countries (including Niger and Burkina Faso).

The General Directorate of Land Transport is a technical structure of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport. In this capacity, she is responsible for the regulation of road and rail transport, the issuance and control of travel documents, transport authorizations and the coordination of road freight.

Today, there is no doubt that the transportation sub-sector plays a significant strategic role in Benin national economy. It is then essential to follow its evolution, to analyse its performance in order to appreciate its efficiency and the quality of its service.

The road projects contain a portfolio of 29 priorities of rehabilitations, Asphalts, estimated at 1.6 billion Euros (US $1.8 billion, FCFA 3.202 trillion). That includes some rehabilitations, modernizations and extensions of the national roads network for the period of 2016-2021, and Constructions of Hilaconji / Sanvéecondji Juxtaposed Control Stations for the period of 2016-2018, with a total cost of 19,946 million FCFA. Link

During the rainy season from mid-September to mid-November, muddy roads often become impassable.  Transporters are faced to deploy accommodated lighter trucks with 4-wheels drive. Full spare tires and other useful safety equipments are required. Most of the rural roads require other types of lighter vehicles (Moto tricycles and 2-wheels, are often used. However, the old bridges on the rivers are in places, the crossings of these rivers become almost impassable. Roads cut, or flooding is frequent, and the canoes are used to reach the villages along the rivers.

On the primary roads, the toll gates fees are applied and vary progressively from 150 XOF to 500 XOF.

Distance Matrix

Distances from Capital City to Major Towns (km)

	Cotonou	Porto Novo	Parakou	Abomey Calavi	Bohicon	Djougou	Kandi	Natitingou
Cotonou		41,9	413	14,4	125	507	633	585
Porto Novo	41,9		436	53,7	150	529	651	607
Parakou	427	436		401	291	135	216	213
Abomey Calavi	14,4	53,7	401		113	494	616	572
Bohicon	125	150	291	113		383	505	461
Djougou	507	529	135	494	383		280	78,2
Kandi	633	651	216	616	505	280		252
Natitingou	585	607	213	572	461	78,2	252

Travel Time from Capital City to Major Towns (km)

	Cotonou	Porto Novo	Parakou	Abomey Calavi	Bohicon	Djougou	Kandi	Natitingou
Cotonou		1	1	1	1	1	1	1
Porto Novo	1		1	1	1	1	1	1
Parakou	1	1		1	1	1	1	1
Abomey Calavi	1	1	1		1	1	1	1
Bohicon	1	1	1	1		1	1	1
Djougou	1	1	1	1	1		1	1
Kandi	1	1	1	1	1	1		1
Natitingou	1	1	1	1	1	1	1

Road Security

In general, Benin roads are in bad condition. The road security was poor in the past few years due to the road conditions and absence of proper regulations of road safety implementation. Therefore, thieves (Bandits) were operating on primary roads connecting the principal towns to the land borders.

Recently, the government took an excellent initiative to improve the roads security and safety by deploying the mobile police to different levels. The vehicle conditions, speeds limits and inspections are not respected in the country. Most of the drivers are driving without a minimum knowledge of road regulations, bad condition of vehicles no lights during the night and the overloading of trucks are all factors that impact the road security level in the country. In some regions, armed robberies might occur on certain roads. It is advisable not to travel during the night.

Weighbridges and Axle Load Limits

In Benin, there are Four (4) weighbridges at the Port Autonomous of Cotonou, installed at the trucks exit gates and the terminals for good exportations according to the standard norms of Verify Gross Mass (VGM). Despite this disposition in place, there are no real regulations on axle load limits in the Country. The remarks focused that the overloaded trucks accelerate the deterioration of the new roads constructed.

Axle load limits	LCA Country	Transit Country	Transit Country
Truck with 2 axles	Benin	18 MT	18 MT
Truck with 3 axles	Benin	26 MT	26 MT
Truck with 4 axles	Benin	31 MT	31 MT
Semi-trailer with 3 axles	Benin	30 MT	30 MT
Semi-trailer with 4 axles	Benin	38 MT	38 MT
Semi-trailer with 5 axles	Benin	43 MT	43 MT
Semi-trailer with 6 axles	Benin	51 MT	51 MT
Truck & drawbar trailer with 4 axles	Benin	38 MT	38 MT
Truck & drawbar trailer with 5 axles	Benin	46 MT	46 MT
Truck & drawbar trailer with 6 axles	Benin	51 MT	51 MT
Truck & drawbar trailer with 7 axles	Benin	51 MT	51 MT

Road Class and Surface Conditions

Benin - 2.3.1 Niger Malanville Border Crossing

Land Border Crossing Overview:

Located in the northeast of Benin, 732.4 km from Cotonou and within reach after a 12-hours’ drive via the RNIE2, the commune of Malanville extends over an area of 3016 km2. Its natural border is the Niger River and connected to the Republic of Niger by the Sota bridge, rebuilt by the Government of President Patrice TALON following its subsidence. Malanville is subdivided into 5 districts: Garou, Guéné, Madécali, Malanville and Tomboutou.

BORDER CROSSING LOCATION & CONTACT
Name of Border Crossing:	Juxtaposed Customs Post of Malanville
Province or District:	Malanville
Nearest Town or City: (Nearest location with distance from port)	Gaya (Niger) 10 km
Latitude:	11° 52′ 00″ N
Longitude:	3° 23′ 00″ E
Managing Authority/Agency:	Benin/Niger Customs Authority
Contact Person

Travel Times
Nearest International Airport:	Cotonou International Airport 732.4 Km Truck: 2 days Car: 1 day
Nearest Port:	Cotonou Autonomous Port 732.4 Km Truck: 2 days Car: 1 day
Nearest Major Market: (Nearest location with functioning wholesale markets, or with significant manufacturing or production capacity.)	Malanville and Parakou Town Markets 0 and 320 Km Truck: 1 full day Car: 12 hours
Other Information:	The weighing bridge is in Juxtaposed zone at the customs post. There is a bridge to cross River Niger.

Travel Times

Nearest International Airport:

Cotonou International Airport

732.4 Km

Truck: 2 days

Car: 1 day

Nearest Port:

Cotonou Autonomous Port

732.4 Km

Truck: 2 days

Car: 1 day

Nearest Major Market:

(Nearest location with functioning wholesale markets, or with significant manufacturing or production capacity.)

Malanville and Parakou Town Markets

0 and 320 Km

Truck: 1 full day

Car: 12 hours

Other Information:

The weighing bridge is in Juxtaposed zone at the customs post. There is a bridge to cross River Niger.

Hours of Operation
MONDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
TUESDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
WEDNESDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
THURSDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
FRIDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
SATURDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
SUNDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS:	Days off for Benin Customs as well.
SEASONAL CONSTRAINTS:	Rainy seasons, dry and winder (Harmattan periods Nov-Apr)

Daily Capacity:

Malanville Border is an important crossing point to Niger Republic. It is one of the main borders in Benin with high flow of all sizes of transit goods trucks using this passage.

Customs Clearance:

The ECOWAS vehicle insurance and the laissez-passer are most important document. For humanitarian cargo, all documents should be prepared at the Customs Office in Cotonou. Once these documents are approved, copies of the documents should be detained by the Superintendent and truck drivers to the Malanville customs which will verify the goods and mention ‘seen’ on the documents. Then, there is also a simple need to transmit the documents to the point of exit/entry.

Other Relevant Information:

The border is secured by all units of both national Customs authorities (Benin and Niger). There is also a strong Benin subdivision military camp in Malanville. Passing goods and trucks are inspected. 

Benin government Customs contact

List of the approved customs Commissioners

Benin - 2.3.2 Nigeria Nikki (Chicandou) Border Crossing

Land Border Crossing Overview:

Chicandou is the border small town of Nikki district in northeastern Benin, located in the department of Borgou, about twenty-three (23) kilometers from Nikki town at the border of Nigeria.

BORDER CROSSING LOCATION & CONTACT
Name of Border Crossing:	Post of Nikki-Chicandou
Province or District:	Nikki
Nearest Town or City: (Nearest location with distance from port)	Ndali (Benin) 3Km and Chikanda, Kwara State (Nigeria) 1Km.
Latitude:	9°50'11.8"N
Longitude:	3°21'34.7"E
Managing Authority/Agency:	Benin/Nigeria Custom Authorities
Contact Person

Travel Times
Nearest International Airport:	Cotonou International Airport 752 Km Truck: 2 days Car: 1 day
Nearest Port:	Cotonou Autonomous Port 752 Km Truck: 2 days Car: 1 day
Nearest Major Market:	Malanville, 339 Km Parakou,139 Km Truck: 1 days Car: 1 day
Other Information:	The weighing bridge has been established in new constructed zone of Benin customs post. There is a bridge to cross River Mopi.

Hours of Operation
MONDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
TUESDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
WEDNESDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
THURSDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
FRIDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
SATURDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
SUNDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS:	Days off for Benin Customs as well.
SEASONAL CONSTRAINTS:	Rainy seasons, dry and winder (Harmattan periods Nov-Apr)

Daily Capacity:

Nikki-Chicandou Border is a crossing point to Nigeria Republic. It is also one of the main border used with flow of all sizes of transit goods trucks. It has been noted that Fuel smugglers and other transit of goods activity is still intense between Nigeria and Benin at that point.

Customs Clearance:

The ECOWAS vehicle insurance and the laissez-passer are the most important document.

For humanitarian cargo, all documents should be prepared at the Customs Office in Cotonou. Once these documents are approved, copies of the documents should be detained by the Superintendent and truck drivers to the Nikki-Chicandou customs which will verify the goods and mention ‘seen’ on the documents. Then, there is also a simple need to transmit the documents to the point of exit/entry.

Other Relevant Information:

The border of Chicandou is secured by all units of both national Customs authorities (Benin and Nigeria). There is also a sub tactical division of military unit in Nikki covering Chicandou and surroundings. Passing goods and trucks must be inspected by the National Police and custom agents.

LIST OF OFFICIALS APPOINTED CUSTOMS CLEARING AGENTS

Benin - 2.3.3 Nigeria Iloua Border Crossing

Land Border Crossing Overview:

Iloua is one of the Benin-Nigeria new border zone, localised in Northern East of Benin, the crossing point is under the department of Alibori, about thirty-nine (39) kilometers from Malanville town at the border of Niger. There was still a pending issue of border line indication between Nigeria and Benin.

BORDER CROSSING LOCATION & CONTACT
Name of Border Crossing:	Post of Iloua
Province or District:	Garou
Nearest Town or City: (Nearest location with distance from port)	Malanville(Benin) 33Km.
Latitude:	11°40'09.0"N
Longitude:	3°34'44.4"E
Managing Authority/Agency:	Benin/Nigeria Custom Authorities
Contact Person

Travel Times
Nearest International Airport:	Cotonou International Airport 759 Km Truck: 2 days Car: 1 day
Nearest Port:	Cotonou Autonomous Port 759 Km Truck: 2 days Car: 1 day
Nearest Major Market:	Malanville, 39.2 Km Kandi,127 Km Truck: 1 day Car: 1 day
Other Information:	There is no weighing bridge established yet in customs post.

Hours of Operation
MONDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
TUESDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
WEDNESDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
THURSDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
FRIDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
SATURDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
SUNDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS:	Days off for Benin Customs as well.
SEASONAL CONSTRAINTS:	Rainy seasons, dry and winter (Harmattan periods Nov-Apr)

Daily Capacity:

Iloua Border is one of the new crossing points established in Benin Rep to Nigeria Republic. It is used with by all sizes of transit goods trucks. Fuel smugglers and other transit of goods activity has been noted between Nigeria and Benin.

Customs Clearance:

The ECOWAS vehicle insurance and the laissez-passer are the most important documents.

For humanitarian cargo, all documents should be prepared at the Customs Office in Cotonou. Once these documents are approved, copies of the documents should be detained by the Superintendent and truck drivers to the Iloua customs which will verify the goods and mention ‘seen’ on the documents. Then, there is also a simple need to transmit the documents to the point of exit/entry.

Other Relevant Information:

The border of Iloua is secured by the units of both national Customs authorities (Benin and Nigeria). There is no sub tactical division of military unit in Iloua. Passing goods and trucks must be inspected by the National Police and custom agents.

LIST OF OFFICIALS APPROVED CUSTOMS CLEARING AGENTS

Benin - 2.3.4 Togo Ouake (Djougou) Border Crossing

Land Border Crossing Overview:

Ouake is Benin-Nigeria border zone, localised in Northern west of Benin Rep (under the department of Donga). It is the crossing point to Togo Rep. Situated at about thirty-seven kilometers (40 min drive) from Djougou town.

BORDER CROSSING LOCATION & CONTACT
Name of Border Crossing:	Post of Ouake
Province or District:	Djougou
Nearest Town or City: (Nearest location with distance from port)	Malanville(Benin) 33Km.
Latitude:	9°40'18.8"N
Longitude:	1°21'49.3"E
Managing Authority/Agency:	Benin/Togo Custom Authorities
Contact Person

Travel Times
Nearest International Airport:	Cotonou International Airport 542 Km Truck: 1 or 2 days Car: 1 day
Nearest Port:	Cotonou Autonomous Port 542 Km Truck: 1 or 2 days Car: 1 day
Nearest Major Market:	Djougou, 36.7Km Ndali,162 Km Truck: 1 days Car: 1 day
Other Information:	There is no weighing bridge established yet in customs post.

Hours of Operation
MONDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
TUESDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
WEDNESDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
THURSDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
FRIDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
SATURDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
SUNDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS:	Days off for Benin Customs as well.
SEASONAL CONSTRAINTS:	Rainy seasons, dry and winder (Harmattan periods Nov-Apr)

Daily Capacity:

Ouake Border is the elder crossing points, established between Benin Rep to Togo Republic. As well as it is used by all sizes of transit goods trucks. As per the information received from Benin Custom and police post Officers, Ouake border is also used by trucks from Lomé port to Niger, Burkina Faso, Nigeria up to Chad. Thus, these trucks are crossing Benin territory to the different destinations mentioned.

Customs Clearance:

The ECOWAS vehicle insurance and the laissez-passer are the most important documents.

For all cargoes, the documents should be prepared at the Customs Office in Cotonou. Once these documents are approved, copies of the documents should be detained by the Superintendent and truck drivers to the Ouake customs which will verify the goods and mention ‘seen’ on the documents. Then, there is also a simple need to transmit the documents to the point of exit/entry.

Other Relevant Information:

Djougou -Ouake border is secured by the units of both national Customs authorities (Benin and Togo). There is no sub tactical division of military unit in Ouake. Passing goods and trucks must be inspected by the National Police and custom agents.

LIST OF OFFICIALS APPOINTED CUSTOMS CLEARING AGENTS

Benin - 2.3.5 Nigeria Seme-Krake Border Crossing

Land Border Crossing Overview:

The Border Seme-Krake is between Benin and Nigeria, about 37 Km from Cotonou on the principal coastal road between Cotonou and Lagos (Nigeria). Seme is a part of Ouéme Department in Benin Republic.

At least by three times, in the 2005-2009 period, violence has broken out in the border town, with fatal consequences. It is reportedly a regular occurrence for both Benin and Nigerian officials, were harassing travellers for money at the border and checkpoints along the road leading from the border. Seme -Krake is a major crossing point for immigrants entering or leaving illegally in both countries and for several smugglers of cars, drogues (marijuana) and other illegal goods due to its porosity. Thus, it has been mentioned an important influx of substandard products.

On 23rd October 2018, the Juxtaposed zone has been inaugurated by the Presidents of both countries (Talon and Buhari). The 17-hectare site, funded European and multilateral contributions with Union 18.3 million euros, is equipped with state-of-the-art scanners to detect illicit goods. Customs and immigration officers have got their real offices, whereas they huddled up in makeshift huts or converted containers.

However, it has been admitted that Seme-Krake joint border is one of the busiest boundary lines not only in West Africa but the whole continent, daily recording the huge movement of persons, goods and services.

BORDER CROSSING LOCATION & CONTACT
Name of Border Crossing:	Post of Seme-Krake
Province or District:	Oueme
Nearest Town or City: (Nearest location with distance from port)	Cotonou (Benin) 37.2Km. Porto Novo (Benin), 24.2 Km
Latitude:	6°22'44.8"N
Longitude:	2°42'14.8"E
Managing Authority/Agency:	Benin/Nigeria Custom Authorities
Contact Person

Travel Times
Nearest International Airport:	Cotonou International Airport 37.2 Km Truck: 1 day Car: 1 day
Nearest Port:	Cotonou Autonomous Port 37.2 Km Truck: 1 day Car: 1 day
Nearest Major Market:	Cotonou (Benin), 37.2Km Lagos (Nigeria), 86 Km Truck: 1 day Car: 1 day
Other Information:	There is no weighing bridge established yet in customs post.

Hours of Operation
MONDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
TUESDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
WEDNESDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
THURSDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
FRIDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
SATURDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
SUNDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS:	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
SEASONAL CONSTRAINTS:	N/A

Daily Capacity:

Seme- Krake Border is one of the major opened (24 hours, 7/7 days) crossing points established between Benin Rep and Nigeria Federal Republic. As well as it’s used by all sizes of transit goods and trucks. It is one of the economical lungs of Benin Customs system. As per the information received from Benin Custom and police post Officers, Seme-Krake border is also used by trucks which are crossing Benin territory to Nigeria.

Customs Clearance:

The ECOWAS vehicle insurance and the laissez-passer are the most important documents.

For all cargoes, the documents should be prepared at the Customs Office in Cotonou. Once these documents are approved, copies of the documents should be detained by the Superintendent and truck drivers to the Seme-Krake customs which will verify the goods and mention ‘seen’ on the documents. Then, there is also a simple need to transmit the documents to the point of exit/entry.

Other Relevant Information:

Seme-Krake border (Juxtaposed Zone) is secured by all units of both national Custom and Police authorities (Benin and Nigeria). There is no sub tactical division of military unit in passing goods and trucks must be inspected by the National Police and custom agents.

LIST OF OFFICIALS APPROVED CUSTOMS CLEARING AGENTS

Benin - 2.3.6 Nigeria Segbana-Wara Border Crossing

Land Border Crossing Overview:

Situated at 116 Km from Kandi, Segbana -Wara border is in the Alibori which is a department in Northern East of Benin. Recently, after long discussions between Benin and Nigeria authorities, Segbana-Wara border line has been established for consideration to come one of the majors opened border for the traffic flows.

BORDER CROSSING LOCATION & CONTACT
Name of Border Crossing:	Post of Segbana-Wara
Province or District:	Alibori
Nearest Town or City: (Nearest location with distance from port)	Cotonou (Benin) 686 Km.
Latitude:	11°07'52.1"N
Longitude:	3°43'08.8"E
Managing Authority/Agency:	Benin/Nigeria Custom Authorities
Contact Person

Travel Times
Nearest International Airport:	Cotonou International Airport 690 Km Truck: 1 or 2 days Car: 1 day
Nearest Port:	Cotonou Autonomous Port 686 Km Truck: 1 or 2 days Car: 1 day
Nearest Major Market:	Cotonou (Benin), 689 Km Tsamia (Nigeria), 36 Km Truck: 1 or 2 days Car: 1 day
Other Information:	Infrastructures are under construction. There is no weighing bridge established yet in customs post.

Hours of Operation
MONDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
TUESDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
WEDNESDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
THURSDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
FRIDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
SATURDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
SUNDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS:	0600 – 1800. No closing during holidays.
SEASONAL CONSTRAINTS:	N/A

Daily Capacity:

The border is informally closed for traffic between Benin and Nigeria. Private cars, persons and interested trucks with Goods loaded from Kandi, Segbana and other towns in Benin are the most important elements using this border.

Customs Clearance:

The ECOWAS vehicle insurance and the laissez-passer are the most important document.

However, to obtain a customs clearance, all the documents should be prepared and approved by the Customs authority in Cotonou, then transmitted to the department customs office respectively. A copy should be made available at the border post by the requester/transporter. The waybill and commercial invoice are the main documents requested by the customs at the border. There are no fees per truck, but trucks should have a laissez-passer and insurance card.

Other Relevant Information:

The government of Benin and its partners have deployed important funds for its road rehabilitation works from Kandi to Segbana-Wara border. But unfortunately, Nigeria side did not match their priority to the objective of that plan. No major traffic is implemented. The Benin customs office is under construction is visible as well as the work of bridge on river Wara did not start. Further details about customs process here.

LIST OF OFFICIALS APPROVED CUSTOMS CLEARING AGENTS

Benin - 2.3.7 Burkina Faso Porga Border Crossing

Land Border Crossing Overview:

Porga is a town situated at 104 Km of Natitingou, Big town in extreme Northwest of Benin Rep. The road is asphalted since long time ago. During the rainy season, some part can be deteriorated greatly. However, there is actually a rehabilitation project ongoing between Tanguieta - Porga.

BORDER CROSSING LOCATION & CONTACT
Name of Border Crossing:	Post of Porga
Province or District:	Atakora
Nearest Town or City: (Nearest location with distance from port)	Cotonou (Benin) 690 Km.
Latitude:	10°59'47.9"N
Longitude:	0°58'59.0"E
Managing Authority/Agency:	Benin/Burkina Faso Custom Authorities
Contact Person

Travel Times
Nearest International Airport:	Cotonou International Airport 690 Km Truck: 1 or 2 days Car: 1 day
Nearest Port:	Cotonou Autonomous Port 37.2 Km Truck: 1 day Car: 1 day
Nearest Major Market:	Cotonou (Benin), 37.2Km Lagos (Nigeria), 86 Km Truck: 1 or 2 days Car: 1 day
Other Information:	There is no weighing bridge established yet in customs post.

Hours of Operation
MONDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
TUESDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
WEDNESDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
THURSDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
FRIDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
SATURDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
SUNDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS:	0600 – 1800. No closing during holidays.
SEASONAL CONSTRAINTS:	N/A

Daily Capacity:

The border is open at any time to the intense traffic between Benin and Burkina Faso. Private cars, persons and trucks with Goods loaded from Cotonou port are the most important elements using this border.

Customs Clearance:

The ECOWAS vehicle insurance and the laissez-passer are the most important documents.

Other Relevant Information:

An inspection is done on each truck. Only the Benin national Police officers are controlling the goods and the persons travelling.

LIST OF OFFICIALS APPROVED CUSTOMS CLEARING AGENTS

Benin - 2.3.8 Nigeria Kétou (Ilara) Border Crossing

Land Border Crossing Overview:

The Ilara border is the most complicated point between Benin and Nigeria. Location is belonged to both Kétou District (Plateau Department) of Benin and the Imeko, Nigeria. This border is 16 Km from Kétou center of Benin.

BORDER CROSSING LOCATION & CONTACT
Name of Border Crossing:	Post of Kétou-Ilara
Province or District:	Plateau
Nearest Town or City: (Nearest location with distance from port)	Cotonou (Benin) 165 Km.
Latitude:	7°24'41.8"N
Longitude:	2°44'39.2"E
Managing Authority/Agency:	There is no Benin/Nigeria Custom Authorities
Contact Person	N/A

Travel Times
Nearest International Airport:	Cotonou International Airport 165 Km Truck: 1 day Car: 1 day
Nearest Port:	Cotonou Autonomous Port 165 Km Truck: 1 day Car: 1 day
Nearest Major Market:	Cotonou (Benin), 165 Km Imeko (Nigeria), 15 Km Truck: 1 day Car: 1 day
Other Information:	There is no weighing bridge established yet in customs post. No Post of Customs. Only a post of police exists at the point of crossing the border inside Ilara town.

Hours of Operation
MONDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
TUESDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
WEDNESDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
THURSDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
FRIDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
SATURDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
SUNDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS:	0600 – 1800. No closing during holidays.
SEASONAL CONSTRAINTS:	N/A

Daily Capacity:

The border is opened to any kind of the traffic between Benin and Nigeria. Private cars, persons, trucks with Goods are crossing in both directions.

Customs Clearance:

Nothing to recommend for llara border as well as no customs post has been established in place.

LIST OF OFFICIALS APPROVED CUSTOMS CLEARING AGENTS

Benin - 2.3.9 Togo Hilaconji Border Crossing

Land Border Crossing Overview:

The Hilaconji border is opened most to any kind of the traffic between Benin and Togo. Location is belonged to Grand Popo District (Mono Department) in Benin Rep and the Aného, Togo Rep. The border is located at 97 Km from Cotonou city center (Southwest). Road is practicable with a toll. The border itself is around 21 km from Grand Popo town.

BORDER CROSSING LOCATION & CONTACT
Name of Border Crossing:	Post of Hilaconji
Province or District:	Grand Popo
Nearest Town or City: (Nearest location with distance from port)	Cotonou (Benin) 97 Km.
Latitude:	6°14'26.5"N
Longitude:	1°37'44.7"E
Managing Authority/Agency:	There are Benin/Togo Custom Authorities
Contact Person	N/A

Travel Times
Nearest International Airport:	Cotonou International Airport 97Km Truck: 1 day Car: 1 day
Nearest Port:	Cotonou Autonomous Port 97 Km Truck: 1 day Car: 1 day
Nearest Major Market:	Cotonou (Benin), 97 Km Imeko (Nigeria), 15 Km Truck: 1 day Car: 1 day
Other Information:	There is no weighing bridge established yet in customs post.

Hours of Operation
MONDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
TUESDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
WEDNESDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
THURSDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
FRIDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
SATURDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
SUNDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS:	No closing during holidays.
SEASONAL CONSTRAINTS:	N/A

Daily Capacity:

The border is opened to any kind of the traffic between Benin and Togo. Private cars, persons, trucks with Goods are crossing in both directions.

Customs Clearance:

The speed of customs clearance and removal of goods requires transparency in the execution of these formalities.

This transparency requires the establishment of a customs clearance procedure which will eliminate the bottlenecks which destroy the efforts made to modernize the Customs Administration and improve performance.

This procedure manual is part of this vision. Import and export customs clearance operations can be summarized in three sentences:

Driving through customs
Customs clearance
Customs clearance itself.

For more detail about Hilla-Condji Border clearance process click here.

Required documents remained the ECOWAS travels and custom clearance papers. The waiting time for crossing might vary depending on the traffic. Goods are subject to some inspections by the different agencies operating at the post. Foreign cargo vehicles entering Benin must obtain Customs issues this document (laissez passer) at the border, which is valid for 30 days. If it expires, drivers must return with the vehicle to the same border entry to renew it. The maximum renewal period that may be granted is 90 days. Customs will require drivers to produce the following documents to process as follows: The international driver’s licence and the ECOWAS Brown Card.

LIST OF OFFICIALS APPROVED CUSTOMS CLEARING AGENTS

Benin - 2.3.10 Togo Aplahoué Border Crossing

Land Border Crossing Overview:

The Aplahoué border is also opened to any kind of traffic between Benin and Togo. Location is belonged to Aplahoué District (Couffo Department) in Benin Rep and Togo Rep. This border allows access to Togo by Tohoun.

BORDER CROSSING LOCATION & CONTACT
Name of Border Crossing:	Post of Aplahoué
Province or District:	Couffo
Nearest Town or City: (Nearest location with distance from port)	Cotonou (Benin) 97 Km.
Latitude:	7°00'22.2"N
Longitude:	1°37'59.0"E
Managing Authority/Agency:	There are Benin/Togo Custom Authorities
Contact Person	N/A

Travel Times
Nearest International Airport:	Cotonou International Airport 97Km Truck: 1 day Car: 1 day
Nearest Port:	Cotonou Autonomous Port 97 Km Truck: 1 day Car: 1 day
Nearest Major Market:	Cotonou (Benin), 97 Km Tohoun (Togo), 3 Km Truck: 1 day Car: 1 day
Other Information:	There is no weighing bridge established yet in customs post.

Hours of Operation
MONDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
TUESDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
WEDNESDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
THURSDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
FRIDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
SATURDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
SUNDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS:	No closing during holidays.
SEASONAL CONSTRAINTS:	N/A

Daily Capacity:

The border is opened to any kind of traffic between Benin and Togo. Private cars, persons, trucks with Goods are crossing in both directions.

Customs Clearance:

Aplahoué is required documents remained the ECOWAS travels and custom clearance papers. The waiting time for crossing might vary depending on the traffic. Goods are subject to some inspections by the different agencies operating at the post. Foreign cargo vehicles entering Benin must obtain Customs issues this document (laissez passer) at the border, which is valid for 30 days. If it expires, drivers must return with the vehicle to the same border entry to renew it. The maximum renewal period that may be granted is 90 days. Customs will require drivers to produce the following documents to process as follows: The international driver’s licence and the ECOWAS Brown Card.

LIST OF OFFICIALS APPROVED CUSTOMS CLEARING AGENTS

Benin - 2.3.11 Togo Athiéme Border Crossing

Land Border Crossing Overview:

The Athième border is also opened to any kind of traffic between Benin and Togo. Location is belonging to Athiéme District (Mono Department) in Benin Rep and Togo Rep. This border allows to access to Togo by Agomè Glozoun at 1 Km distance from the border.

BORDER CROSSING LOCATION & CONTACT
Name of Border Crossing:	Post of Athiéme
Province or District:	Athuème
Nearest Town or City: (Nearest location with distance from port)	Cotonou (Benin) 117 Km
Latitude:	6°34'00.8"N
Longitude:	1°39'52.0"E
Managing Authority/Agency:	There are Benin/Togo Custom Authorities
Contact Person	N/A

Travel Times
Nearest International Airport:	Cotonou International Airport 117Km Truck: 1 day Car: 1 day
Nearest Port:	Cotonou Autonomous Port 117 Km Truck: 1 day Car: 1 day
Nearest Major Market:	Cotonou (Benin), 117 Km Agomè Glozoun (Togo), 1 Km Truck: 1 day Car: 1 day
Other Information:	There is no weighing bridge established yet in customs post.

Hours of Operation
MONDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
TUESDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
WEDNESDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
THURSDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
FRIDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
SATURDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
SUNDAYS	24/24 Hours (7/7 Days)
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS:	No closing during holidays.
SEASONAL CONSTRAINTS:	N/A

Daily Capacity:

The border is opened to any kind of traffic between Benin and Togo. Private cars, persons, trucks with Goods are crossing in both directions.

Customs Clearance:

Athiéme Border requires documents as the ECOWAS travels and custom clearance papers. The waiting time for crossing might vary depending on the traffic. Goods are subject to some inspections by the different agencies operating at the post. Foreign cargo vehicles entering Benin must obtain Customs issues this document (laissez passer) at the border, which is valid for 30 days. If it expires, drivers must return with the vehicle to the same border entry to renew it. The maximum renewal period that may be granted is 90 days. Customs will require drivers to produce the following documents to process as follows: The international driver’s licence and the ECOWAS Brown Card.

LIST OF OFFICIALS APPROVED CUSTOMS CLEARING AGENTS

Benin - 2.4 Railway Assessment

Railway Assessment

image-20240213161336-1

Benin railway network was constructed during the colonial period, from 1900 to 1936. It’s structured around a single track, narrow gauge (1m) of 577 km in total and divided in three lines:

The central line from Cotonou to Parakou, 438 km.

The West line, linked to the central line at Pahou (Pobè). 32 km from Pahou to Segbohoue via Ouidah.

The East line from Cotonou to Pobe via Porto-Novo,107 km.

The two last railway lines have been put out of operation: Cotonou – Pobè and Cotonou – Sègbohoué.

In November 2013, Benin and Niger signed a memorandum of understanding for the construction of a railway line linking Cotonou to Niamey.

In addition to linking Parakou with Gaya, this project also aims to rehabilitate and modernize the Cotonou-Parakou railway line. The end of the work was scheduled for September 2015. Ultimately, the project was supposed to be implemented by Bolloré group. And strategically, with the partner, the aims was to connect Cotonou to Abidjan via Niamey and Ouagadougou ( with nearly 3,000 km of railway line in total).

For the moment, only the central line is being used. Normally, the track was supposed to reach Niamey, linking landlocked Niger to the Port city of Cotonou. The project was stopped by the Second World War and unfortunately was not followed through by both countries (Benin and Niger) after their independences.

In fact, as in many other African countries, investments in the rail sector have been very limited. Indeed, to improve this situation, both governments of Benin and Niger have decided to launch the project AFRICARAIL together with Togo and Burkina Faso. The objective of the project is for the first phase to build 1,300 km of rails to connect to the partner countries.

Travel Time Matrix

Travel Time from Capital City to Major Towns (Hours / Days)

	Cotonou	Abomey	Parakou	Kandi	Sègbohoué	Porto Novo	Pobè	Zangando
Cotonou	OH	2H	9h	-	-	-	-	-
Abomey	2H	0H	7H	-	-	-	-	-
Parakou	9H	7H	0H	-	-	-	-	-
Kandi	-	-		-	-	-	-	-
Sègbohoué	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Porto Novo	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Pobè	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Zangando	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

Railway Companies and Consortia

The former joint organization Benin Niger of Railways and Transport (OCBN) which was Bi-state company with capital of 23 billion of FCFA and created since 1959, was privatised by the President Former President Yayi Boni in 2014 to become Benin rails.

During the Assessment, it has been noted that on 04 September 2014, the Government of Benin published on its official portal a press release on the working visit of the Nigerien President to Benin and on the construction of the OCBN station in repair. The PETROLIN Group hereby strongly disagrees with the State's statement of facts concerning the construction and rehabilitation project for the Benin-Niger railway line. This project is presented on the official portal of Benin, as one of the segments of a "Railway Loop" from Abidjan to Lomé, including through Ouagadougou, Niamey and Cotonou. There is no global international agreement on such a "loop" or legal framework.

The Republics of Benin and Niger are in fact bound by formal agreements concerning the Benin-Niger railway and it is in this context that they launched an international call for tenders in August 2008 for the occasioning of the said railway network. its rehabilitation, construction, operation and management.

The PETROLIN Group won this call for tenders, which was notified to it on 22 July 2010 by final award letter N ° 001/2010/MTTA / MTTTATP/PR/CPC signed by Benin and Niger.

On the other hand, the Bolloré group, which had acquired the bidding documents, finally refrained from bidding.

The PETROLIN Group is therefore the designated concessionaire for the Cotonou-Parakou-Dosso-Niamey railway network. It is in this capacity that at the request of the Benin and Niger States, its President Mr Samuel DOSSOU-AWORET, was able to take part in discussions with private investors, the Bolloré Group, to give them the opportunity to participate in the PETROLIN Group project within the existing legal framework.

Also, the PETROLIN Group can only contest the declarations published by the Beninese Government on its official portal.

It should be remembered that it is the PETROLIN Group which is behind the "Dorsal Spine" project.

The main component of this project is the Cotonou-Parakou-Niamey railway line via Dosso with its two (02) terminals created by the PETROLIN Group, the already built Dry Port of Parakou and the Oil, Mineral and Commercial Port in water. Deep Seme Podji subject of a Special Agreement between the Republic of Benin and the PETROLIN Group.

This work and achievements were carried out in execution of the Framework Convention concluded on January 25, 2010, between the Republic of Benin and the PETROLIN Group in order to allow the development of the Dorsal Spine Project. This Framework Agreement has granted the PETROLIN Group exclusive rights, particularly over the Benin - Niger railway. These rights were reinforced by the call for tenders won by the PETROLIN Group on the Benin-Niger rail network.

It will be added that under the terms of Article 15 of the Framework Convention, the Beninese State undertook not to expropriate the PETROLIN Group in any way whatsoever from all or part of the assets of the back-bone Project. or to disturb the full and exclusive enjoyment of the rights related to the project.

The PETROLIN Group has already incurred significant expenditures, notably for carrying out the feasibility studies of the Sèmè Podji Railway, the Oil, Mineral and Commercial Deepwater Port, the construction of the Parakou Dry Port and intends that its rights be respected.

Also, the PETROLIN Group invites, the States of Benin and Niger as well as the BOLLORE Group, to abide by and respect the rights granted which they cannot claim to ignore without jeopardizing the implementation of the Public / Private Backbone Project, designed to participate in the economic and social development of Benin, the neighbouring countries and countries of the sub region; and to continue with the concessionaire designated this project in the existing legal framework, and this in the interest of the populations and the companies in Benin, Niger and in the sub-region.

Capacity Table

Today there is only a single operational line (Cotonou-Parakou) which partly ensures the traffic of goods in transit to the hinterland countries.

Key Route Information

Standard Route Information
	Route A  Cotonou -Parakou	Route B  Cotonou - Abomey	Route C  Cotonou - Pobè	Route D  Cotonou - Sègbohoué
Track gauge	1m	1m	1m	1m
Ruling gradient	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Total track distance (single and/or double)	438km.	144km.	107km.	60km.
Type of rail (weight and if welded or not)	Single track, Welded	Single track, Welded	Single track, Welded	Single track, Welded
Type of sleeper and fastenings	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Total track travel time	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
Maintenance (Good, marginal, bad)	marginal	marginal	marginal	marginal
Companies-consortiums operating on line	None	None	None	None
Traffic frequency (monthly/weekly/daily)	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
Security (Good, marginal, bad)	Marginal	Marginal	Marginal	Marginal
Main stations (Add details below)	Cotonou/Parakou	Cotonou	Cotonou	Cotonou

Key Stations

Key Station Information
	Cotonou	Abomey	Parakou
Location	Cotonou	Abomey	Parakou
Contact Information	N/A	N/A	N/A
Connections with other transport means (road/waterways/air)	Road	Road	Road
Storage Capacity (square meters and cubic meters)	N/A	N/A	N/A
Handling Equipment	N/A	N/A	N/A
Handling Capacity: MT / Hour TEU / Hour	N/A	N/A	N/A
Other Comments	No comment	No comment	No comment

Benin - 2.5 Waterways Assessment

Waterways Assessment

image-20240213161621-1

Benin has several rivers, the most important is the Pendjari river in the northwest (380 km), Couffo to the southeast (170 km), Ouémé to the center and south (150 km), Niger to the north and to the northeast and finally, the Mono to the west (100 km). Some of these rivers have important affluents. It is Niger with Mekrou (410 km), Alibori (338) and Sota (250 km) and Ouémé with Zou (150 km).

River transport is not very developed and is essentially focused on Lake Nokoue. It allows trading between the people living around the lake and the international market in Cotonou. They are mainly boat owners providing shuttle services.

For more information here.

Government Contact here.

The Niger Basin

Over 135 km, the Niger River is the border with the State of Niger. On this short route, the Niger has a straight line-oriented NW-SE and receives on the right back the contributions of four affluents which are from west to east:

The Mékrou (10,500 km²);
The Kompa Guru (1,980 km²);
The Alibori (13,740 km²);
The Sota (13,600 km²).

Southeast of the Sota basin are located the high basins of Nigerian tributaries including Wara and Olil. The Ouémé (400 km of which 200 are navigable), le Mono (350 Km of which only 100 km are navigable) and the Couffo.

The Pendjari basin (420 km in Benin)

Run off from the northern slopes and highlands of the Natitingou region will converge on the Atacora boutonniere. There are three main areas of drainage:

The Kounne: 550 km2 for a length of 46 km and 200 m of unevenness,
The Tigou: 317 km2 for a length of 27 km and 300 m of unevenness,
The Sarga: 567 km2 for a length of 48 km and 300 m of unevenness.

The Kounne and the Tigou will join to form the Pendjari which will receive 22 km further Sarga.

The Ouémé basin

We distinguish the part of the Ouémé basin on the Dahomeyen basement which is called the "Ouémé Supérieur", and is located on the sedimentary formations of the coastal basin that is designated the "Lower Ouémé".

The Upper Ouémé (46,500 km2 for a length of 523 km)

We can divide the hydrographic network of Upper Ouémé into three entities:

The left bank network, located east of the north-south axis consisting of the Alpouro and then the Ouémé valleys.

The north-west network, on the flanks of the reliefs of Atacora and Alédjo

The Zou basin.

Some of the most important tributaries are from upstream to downstream:

The Alpouro: 2 010 km2 for a length of 86 km,
Yerou Maro: 2 590 km2 for a length of 120 km,
The Biffa: 1 990 km2 for a length of 78 km,
Okpara: more than 10 000 km2 for a length of 362 km.

The lower Ouémé

After its confluence with the Zou, Ouémé deeply cuts the formations of Continental Terminal. The slope of the river then becomes extremely low (5 m of unevenness over 85 km) and the Ouémé Valley presents itself as a large flood zone where the hydrographic system is very complex. A river, the Sô on the right back, has a course parallel to the Ouémé with which it is connected by different arms sometimes diffluent, sometimes tributaries: Zounga, Agbagbe, Ouovu and Zouvi. It is this ensemble that forms the delta of Oueme. Sô and Ouémé flow into Nokoué Lake respectfully around Ganvié and west of Porto-Novo to the east.

Nokoué Lake communicates with the sea through the channel of the Cotonou lagoon and the Porto-Novo and Nigeria lagoons.

On highly permeable bar earth plateaus, there is almost no hydrographic network. In the Lama Depression very flat, the hydrographic network is very degraded. There are many areas of endoreism.

The Couffo basin (190 km)

The Couffo has its source in Togo at 240 m above sea level, near the village of Tchetti. It flows into Lake Ahémé 24 km long and whose outlet is the lagoon complex "Bouches du Roi".

The tributaries are of minor importance and have high slopes (from 5 to 13 m / km).

Let's quote from upstream to downstream:

The Aiokpe: 47 km2
The Gougou: 36 km2
The Honve: 166 km2
The Agougan: 90 km2
The Dra: 147 km2

On the land of the bar and the Cretaceous and Eocene formations, the hydrographic network is non-existent.

The Mono Basin (148 km in Benin) and the Sazue (150 km)

On the 148 km of its route in Benin, the Mono cuts the formations of the Continental Terminal and flows in a wide alluvial valley (about 10 km). The slope of the bed becoming very low (0.06 to 0.4 m / km), the Mono describes large meanders through flood zones before joining the lagoon system of "Bouches du Roi".

In the alluvial valley exists a degraded and complex hydrographic network, with the presence of ponds and lakes on its periphery. Two of the most important are Togbadji and Toho lakes.

Moreover, the Beninese territory has in the littoral zone, an important lacustrine and lagoon network of approximately 270 km2. The main lakes and lagoons, from west to east, Lake Toho, Lake Togbadji, Lake Ahémé (78 km2), Lake Nokoué (135 km2) and the lagoon of Porto-Novo. Further north of this range are very small dam lakes in the Ouémé and Mono plains. These different morpho-climatic and fluvial elements contribute to the formation of exploitable soils for agriculture.

Benin - 2.6 Storage Assessment

Storage Assessment

Storage facilities are available in all main towns in Benin. Most of these facilities are privately owned and are in an acceptable condition. Warehouses equipment such as pallets, tarpaulins, wheelbarrows, scales, weighbridges, etc. are available in the country and could even be imported from the Humanitarian Response Depot in Accra. As well, fumigation products can be purchased in Benin. It should be noted that is difficult to find big storage capacity in Benin. There is no high limited storage structures in all over the country. Only the cotton factories have big storage capacity.

Commercial Storage

Location	Owner	Available for Rent	Capacity	Type [1]	Access [2]	Condition [3]
Location	Owner	Available for Rent	(MT / m² / m³)	Type [1]	Access [2]	Condition [3]
Saclo, Bohicon- Dept of Zou	UEMOA	Yes	2,560 m²/17,920 m³	Concrete	Flat	Good
Honmèho, Bohicon -Dept of Zou	UEMOA	Yes	2,560 m²/17,920 m³	Concrete	Flat	Good
Seme Kpodji	DONGACO & SONIMEX	No	5 x 1,500 m²	Concrete	Flat	Good
Djidja, Dept of Zou	IFDC (International Fertiliser Development Compagny)	No	1,280 m² / 8 ,960 m³	Concrete	Flat	Good
Djidja, Dept of Zou	UCPC (Union Communale des producteurs du Coton)	No	1,584 m² / ,960 m³	Concrete	Flat	Good
Natitingou	UEMOA	Yes	1,280 m² / 8 ,960 m³	Concrete	Flat	Good
Djougou	UEMOA	Yes	1,280 m² / 8 ,960 m³	Concrete	Flat	Good
Kandi	UEMOA	Yes	1,280 m² / 8 ,960 m³	Concrete	Flat	Good
Cotonou	Benin Storage	Yes	1,000 m² / 10,000 m³	Concrete	Flat	Good
Malanville	UEMOA	Yes	1,280 m² / 8 ,960 m³	Concrete	Flat	Good

[1] Warehouse Type: Open storage, container, rub-hall, silo, concrete, other, unspecified

[2] Warehouse Access: Raised siding, flat

[3] Warehouse condition: Appears intact, appears damaged, under construction/repair.

Storage Used by Humanitarian Organizations

WFP’s government partner, the Direction Nationale des Projects, has a network of eight warehouses throughout the country, for a total storage capacity of 4,650 mt. These warehouses are in the following locations: Natitingou, Djougou, Parakou, Kandi, Lokossa, Porto-Novo, Cotonou and Bohicon.

Each humanitarian organization has its own warehouses where they are storing their items.

The current storage capacity available in Benin and which are used by WFP in the below table.

N°	Warehouse	Sites	Infrastructures	Capacite Magasin/MT	Notes
1	Cotonou	ONASA	Concrete	3 000
1	Cotonou	ONASA	Concrete	1 000
Total capacity COTONOU				4 000
2	Porto Novo	Tokpota	Rubhall	250
2	Porto Novo	Tokpota	Concrete	400
Total capacity PORTO-NOVO				650
3	Lokossa	Préfecture	Concrete	500
		Ahouamey	Concrete	500
		Ahouamey	Rubhall	350
		DDEMP	Concrete	-
Total capacity LOKOSSA				1 350
4	Bohicon	Saclo	Concrete	2 000
		Marché Bohicon	Concrete	900
		Carder Bohicon	Concrete	400
		FUPRO	Concrete	1 000	Rent
		Abomey	Concrete	-
Total capacity BOHICON				4 300
5	Parakou	Sous Bureau PAM	Rubhall1	250
			Rubhall2	400
			Rubhall3	350
			Concrete	800
		Sinangourou	Concrete	1 700	Temporary
Total capacity PARAKOU				3 500
6	Kandi	Face Hopital de Zone	Rubhall	250
	Kandi	Face Hopital de Zone	Concrete	500
	Gougounou	Gounarou	Gounarou	1 000	Temporary
Total capacity KANDI				1 750
7	Djougou	Face Barrage SONEB	Rubhall	250
	Djougou	Face Barrage SONEB	Concrete	500
	Copargo	Copargo	Concrete	500	Temporary
Total capacity DJOUGOU				1 250
8	Natitingou	Derrière Mairie	Rubhall	250
			Concrete	450
			Concrete	500
Total capacity NATITINGOU				1 200
9	Allada	Sekou/Allada	Concrete	12 000	Rent
Total capacity ALLADA				12 000
TOTAL				26 000	Tonnes

Public Sector Storage

There is some public storage available to be used by any kind of agency of humanitarian in different locations in Benin if the request and the need are formulated to the local authorities. But most of the existing warehouses need strong renovation works before their usage. The best option is to directly contact the Ministry or the Department heads in the locality who will help in identifying the available warehouses or locations to be occupied. 

Location	Owner	Available for Rent	Capacity	Type [1]	Access [2]	Condition [3]
Location	Owner	Available for Rent	(MT / m² / m³)	Type [1]	Access [2]	Condition [3]
ARAKOU	Ministry of Agriculture	Yes	664 mt/443 m²/1329 m³	Concrete	Easy	Appears intact
ARAKOU	Ministry of Agriculture	Yes	664 mt/443 m²/1329 m³	Concrete	Easy	Appears intact
KANDI	Ministry of Development and Plan	Yes	450 mt/300 m²/900 m³	Concrete	Easy	Appears intact
KANDI	Ministry of Development and Plan	Yes	450 mt/300 m²/900 m³	Concrete	Easy	Appears intact
DJOUGOU	Ministry of Development and Plan	Yes	389 mt/259 m²/778 m³	Concrete	Easy	Appears intact
DJOUGOU	Ministry of Development and Plan	Yes	389 mt/259 m²/778 m³	Concrete	Easy	Appears intact
COTONOU ONASA	Ministry of Agriculture	Yes	2210 mt	Concrete	Easy	Appears intact
COTONOU ONASA	Ministry of Agriculture	Yes	2210 mt	Concrete	Easy	Appears intact
NATITINGOU 1	Ministry of Development and Plan	Yes	210 mt/120 m²/420 m³	Concrete & Rubhalls	Easy	Appears intact
NATITINGOU 1	Ministry of Development and Plan	Yes	210 mt/120 m²/420 m³	Concrete & Rubhalls	Easy	Appears intact
NATITINGOU 2	Ministry of Development and Plan	Yes	625 mt/284 m²/1250	Concrete	Easy	Appears intact
NATITINGOU 2	Ministry of Development and Plan	Yes	625 mt/284 m²/1250	Concrete	Easy	Appears intact
PORTO NOVO (Déguè Topka)	Ministry of Agriculture	Yes	446 mt/223 m²/893 m³	Concrete	Easy	Appears intact
PORTO NOVO ( Topkota)	Ministry of Development and Plan	Yes	431 mt/287 m²/862 m³	Concrete	Easy	Appears intact
PORTO NOVO ( Topkota)	Ministry of Development and Plan	Yes	431 mt/287 m²/862 m³	Concrete	Easy	Appears intact
BOHICON (Cerpa)	Ministry of Development and Plan	Yes	431 mt/203 m²/509 m³	Concrete	Easy	Appears intact
BOHICON (Cerpa)	Ministry of Development and Plan	Yes	431 mt/203 m²/509 m³	Concrete	Easy	Appears intact
BOHICON (Impôt)	Ministry of Development and Plan	Yes	254 mt/560 m²/1680 m³	Concrete	Easy	Appears intact
BOHICON (Impôt)	Ministry of Development and Plan	Yes	254 mt/560 m²/1680 m³	Concrete	Easy	Appears intact
LOKOSSA (Ahaoumey)	Ministry of Development and Plan	Yes	840 mt /264 m²/800 m³	Concrete	Easy	Appears intact
LOKOSSA (Ahaoumey)	Ministry of Development and Plan	Yes	840 mt /264 m²/800 m³	Concrete	Easy	Appears intact
LOKOSSA (Commune)	Ministry of Development and Plan	Yes	310 mt/207/621 m³	Concrete	Easy	Appears inta
LOKOSSA (Commune)	Ministry of Development and Plan	Yes	310 mt/207/621 m³	Concrete	Easy	Appears inta

[1] Warehouse Type: Open storage, container, rub-hall, silo, concrete, other, unspecified

[2] Warehouse Access: Raised-siding, flat

[3] Warehouse condition: Appears intact, appears damaged, under construction/repair.

Cold Chain

There are not many cold chain facilities in the country.

Location	Organisation / Owner	Type [1]	Cooling /  Power [2]	Quantity	Total Capacity  m³	Condition
Location	Organisation / Owner	Type [1]	(MT / m² / m³)	Quantity	Total Capacity  m³	Condition
Cotonou	Ministry of Health	Container	Compression	6	300 m³	Appears intact
Parakou	PEV	Cold Room Positive	Compression	5	115 m³	Appears intact
Djougou	PEV	Cold Room Negative	Compression	1	20 m³	Appears intact
Save	PEV	Refrigerator	Absorption	10	1.69 m³	Appears intact
Lokossa	PEV	Freezer	Absorption	6	0.870 m³	Appears intact
12 Departments	PEV	Refrigerator & Freezer	Compression	8	1.76 m³	Appears intact

[1] Cold Room Positive, Cold Room Negative, Refrigerator, Freezer,

[2] Compression, Absorption, Solar, Other, unspecified

Benin - 2.7 Milling Assessment

Milling Company Les Grands Moulins du Benin

There is a commercial milling plant in Benin called Grands Moulins du Benin Flour Mill, which was the founding company of the Chagoury Group. It consists also one of the biggest functioning millings in west Africa and is based in Cotonou. The construction of the facility began in 1971, with production beginning at the plant in 1972. In 2010, the company was bought by a large group, which has relaunched the activities of the company with, therefore, the launch on the Beninese market of a flagship product: '' Scrunchy '' instant noodles.

Flour Mill Operating since 1972 with a production capacity of 300 mt per, acquired by an American company in 2017. Implementation of an ambitions business and industrial development plan. Multiplication of the production capacity and storage capacity by three (3). Launch a complete industrial restructuring program and successfully turned around the company. GMB is back to profit with today 60% Share of Market.

Company Name and Address

Contact Names and Email

Telephone and Fax

Grands Moulins du Benin

Cotonou - Quartier Akpakpa

01 BP 949 Cotonou, Benin

Name: Didier Balzaretti

Title: Managing Director

Email: info@gmbenin.com

Web:

Tel: (+229) 21 33 08 17/ 21 33 13 49

Fax: (+229) 21 33 01 49

Summary of Role and Services

Agri-food proceeding company

Facilities
Parking Area Inside Compound (m²)	Information not available, but the area is quite sufficient.
Drainage	Good
Fire Fighting Equipment	Yes
Number of Ventilators (screened)	No info
Electricity Load (KVA)	6 MW (Central of 4 generators running in rotation)
Backup Generator(s)	Yes	Yes

Milling Equipment
Origin of Machinery	Year of Mfg	Year of Installation	Condition
Suisse (Buhler)	2012	2015	Good

Maintenance
Duration	Hours / Week	Type of Maintenance	144

Other Equipment or Machinery Installed
Type of Equipment	Available	Number	Owned	Comments
Fortification Feeder	Yes	N/A	N/A	N/A
Bag Cleaning Plant	Yes	N/A	N/A	N/A
Moisture Tester	Yes	N/A	N/A	N/A
De-stoning Plant	Yes	N/A	N/A	N/A
Metal Extractor	Yes	N/A	N/A	N/A

Staffing
Number of Full Time Skilled Workers	±140
Number of Full Time Labourers

Building
	Length (m)	Width (m)	Height (m)
Building – Wheat Mill	No information found	No information found	No information found
Building – Maize Mill	No information found	No information found	No information found
Walls	Bounded wall
Roof	Good and large
Floor	Good and flat

Conditions & Cleanliness
	Outside	Inside
Cracks in Walls or Roof	Yes	No
Signs of Rodent Activity	Yes	No
Signs of Birds Entry	Yes	No
Damaged Gutters/Drains	Yes	No
Signs of Moisture	Yes	No
Adjacent Vegetation	Yes	No
Cleanliness	Good	Good

Pest Control
Fumigation	Yes	Frequency	Bi- Monthly	Contracted	N/A
Spraying	Yes	Frequency	Monthly	Contracted	Yes
Rodenticides	No	Frequency	N/A	Contracted	N/A
Rodent Trapping	N/A	Frequency	N/A	Contracted	N/A

Security
Security	Good
Compound	Fenced
Other Comments	N/A

Access
Distance from Main Town (km)	5 km
Travel Time if not Located in Town (hours)	City of Cotonou, Industrial zone Akpakpa
Road Condition to Mill	Good
Road Limitations (if any)	No limit
Rail Connections	No
On the Railway From	N/A	To	N/A
Other Comments

Milling Capacity
Commodities	Daily Capacity (MT)	Monthly Activity (MT)
Wheat	300	7500
Maize	300	7500

Storage Capacity
Storage in Metric Tons	Wheat – Covered (MT)	Flour – Covered (MT)
Within the Compound	5,000	5,000
Outside the Compound	8,000	8,000