Bénin: minister meets SMEs in Alibori and Borgou to boost local entrepreneurship

Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Employment Promotion, Awaou Baco, concluded a two-day visit to the Alibori and Borgou departments on July 28–29, engaging directly with local SMEs, artisans, livestock breeders, training centers, and young beneficiaries of the AZOLI program.

During her visit, Minister Baco assessed existing support mechanisms for youth, women, artisans, and persons with disabilities, emphasizing the government’s commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth.

First stop: Alibori department

The tour began on July 28 in Alibori, where the minister met with local officials and entrepreneurs in Malanville. Discussions focused on challenges faced by local SMEs, particularly in agriculture-related sectors such as rabbit farming and auto repair.

In Nikki, she visited a vocational training center for artisans, engaging with instructors and students to explore training programs and job placement opportunities. A working session in Kandi with young entrepreneurs highlighted public initiatives supporting entrepreneurship, vocational training, and job creation.

The AZOLI program: empowering youth and persons with disabilities

On July 29, the delegation traveled to Borgou, starting with a courtesy visit to the regional prefect. In Parakou, at the Amaldi Prestige Hotel, Minister Baco met with 50 young trainees from the four northern departments under the AZOLI program. The session reviewed training progress and post-program integration prospects.

A key highlight was the inclusion of 46 persons with disabilities trained in shoemaking and leatherwork—an initiative designed to enhance their professional skills and economic independence.

The tour also included a visit to ASAFMA, an SME specializing in welding, metal fabrication, and agro-processing equipment. The company is supported by the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency, the Benin Entrepreneurship Support Project, and the Chamber of Crafts and Artisan Trades.

Digital platforms as gateways to public support

In Parakou, the minister also met with artisans at Delika’s Tissage, a traditional textile weaving and custom product enterprise. Throughout the tour, she encouraged entrepreneurs to leverage digital platforms like SICA (www.sica.anpe.bj) and e-PME to access financing, business formalization, and professional training information.

She urged SME owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to remain persistent, underscoring the government’s ongoing reforms and investments aimed at empowering youth and women in the labor market.