The Port of Cotonou handled approximately 12 million tonnes of cargo in 2023, serving as a transit gateway for landlocked Niger and parts of Nigeria. Historically, Cotonou captured significant volumes of Nigerian informal trade, particularly in secondhand vehicles, electronics, and consumer goods that entered Nigeria through Benin to avoid Nigerian customs. Tightened Nigerian border controls and the emergence of competing facilities at Lomé and Apapa have challenged Cotonou's traditional role. The government signed a 25-year concession agreement with a consortium led by Mediterranean Shipping Company and Bolloré in 2022 for a comprehensive port modernisation programme.
Diversification Strategy
Benin is developing an agricultural export corridor from the Dassa-Zoumé agro-processing zone to Cotonou, targeting cashew, cotton, and soybean exports as alternatives to transit trade dependency. A 10-year master plan approved in 2023 targets 2 million TEU capacity by 2030. Logistics operators and transit cargo businesses can access Cotonou port contacts and Benin trade data on intra-africa.com.
For businesses looking to expand across Africa, intra-africa.com offers a comprehensive trade directory, verified buyer and seller listings, and real-time market intelligence covering all 54 African nations. It remains an indispensable resource for anyone serious about intra-African commerce.