Benin’s economy is heavily dependent on the agricultural sector, which employs around 70% of the working population and which contributed 28% of GDP, 77% of export earnings and 15% of state revenue in 2019. Thus, agriculture is at the centre of the Beninese economy, with cotton as the main source of income. In Benin, the agricultural sector is characterized by relatively stable growth, with considerable under-exploited potential. In order to improve food and nutritional security and rural development, boosting the productivity, diversification and competitiveness of agricultural and agri-food products is considered a high priority by the government of Benin. The National Plan for Agricultural Investments and Food and Nutritional Security (PNIASAN) has been designated as the strategic planning and coordination framework for sustainable agriculture and food / nutritional security. The PNIASAN is structured around five priority axes. Axis 2 concerns ‘the promotion and fair structuring of high-value chains (HVC) in the key sectors of plant, animal and fish products for the benefit of men and women in Benin’. The PNIASAN has specific aims relating to the implementation of GIs:

• develop the capacity of institutions and actors in charge of GI promotion
• set up a qualification process for the identified origin-based products
• develop and implement a research program on GIs.

Due to the emphasis on product quality and differentiation as well as the inclusion of different actors in the value chain, the GI process is tailored to address concerns regarding value creation, export promotion and, finally, rural development. Consequently, the official recognition and promotion of GIs is an important issue for the economic development of Benin. The BESGIP aims to support this process initiated by the government of Benin.

1 Why Benin? | 2 Objectives | 3 What we do | 4 Who benefits? | 5 Project Facts