Togo and Benin Set 30% Agricultural Trade Growth Target Under PRIMA

Agriculture

Friday, 21 November 2025 14:08

Togo and Benin Set 30% Agricultural Trade Growth Target Under PRIMA

PRIMA aims to raise agricultural transactions between Togo and Benin by 30% over six years.
The programme focuses on market integration, trade facilitation and rural entrepreneurship across targeted border corridors.
A parallel agricultural fair in Kara seeks to boost commercial opportunities for agribusinesses from both countries.

Kara is hosting until Friday, 21 November 2025, the second regional meeting between the chambers of commerce and industry of Togo and Benin. The event focuses on cross-border agricultural trade and forms part of the six-year Regional Programme for Agricultural Market Integration (PRIMA), financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

PRIMA aims to increase agricultural transactions between both countries by 30% across targeted border corridors. The programme seeks to integrate markets more efficiently, improve trade flows and strengthen the competitiveness of agricultural enterprises. The AARA oversees regional coordination under ECOWAS supervision.

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PRIMA operates through four components centred on agricultural trade and rural entrepreneurship. Mawadè Dogo, PRIMA-Togo’s deputy operational coordinator, said the discussions address market integration, trade facilitation and the structuring of rural entrepreneurial initiatives.

The programme also includes the construction of agricultural infrastructure, the development of planned agricultural zones and the rehabilitation of rural roads to ease product transport.

This second meeting follows the first edition held in December 2024 in Benin. It brings together public decision-makers, agribusiness leaders, farmers’ organisations and research institutions from both countries. Participants are reviewing progress on previous recommendations, operational advances, cross-border cooperation and opportunities to promote local agricultural products.

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In parallel, an agricultural exhibition runs until Saturday, 22 November 2025, on the esplanade of the Palais des Congrès de Kara. The fair enables agribusinesses from both countries to showcase products and seek commercial partnerships.

Alex Kpanté Bouab, representing the Togolese Minister of Agriculture, presided over the official opening. He highlighted agriculture’s contribution to national GDP and emphasised the need to accelerate growth through stronger commercial integration.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

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ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

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Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

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In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

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