Benin–Nigeria Business Forum: Strengthening regional trade, private sector partnerships

Benin–NigeriaBusiness Forum (BNBF) 2026 on January 26 and January 28, 2026 will mark a strategic effort to deepen economic cooperation and trade between the Republic of Benin and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Held under the auspices of the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FEWACCI), the Forum will convene distinguished public and private sector leaders for high-level strategic engagements in Abuja and Lagos.

The BNBF provides an exclusive platform to advance cross-border investments, strengthen business partnerships, and reaffirm the commitment of both countries to regional integration, private sector–led growth, and the effective implementation of ECOWAS and AfCFTA objectives.

Designed as a high-level gathering, the Forum will bring together investors, government officials, financial institutions, and private sector leaders from both countries.

Engagements will focus on priority areas with strong potential for collaboration and commercial impact, reflecting a shared commitment to unlocking regional value chains and expanding trade flows.

The strategic relevance of the Forum is underscored by the economic complementarity between Benin and Nigeria. The two countries share over 770 kilometers of land border, historically supporting significant trade activity.

Nigeria, with a population exceeding 230 million and a GDP of over $440 billion, represents a vast consumer and investment market for Beninese goods and services. Benin’s position as a logistics and port hub, particularly through the Port Autonome de Cotonou, further strengthens its role as a gateway to the West African Economic and Monetary Union and broader regional markets.

Organisers of the BNBF have emphasised a strong focus on outcomes.

The Forum will feature practical, action-oriented presentations, alongside structured networking and pre-scheduled business-to-business (B2B) meetings, designed to convert dialogue into measurable commercial partnerships.

Speaking on the intent of the Forum, Aminou Akadiri, CEO and Executive Director of the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FEWACCI), said the BNBF 2026 is designed to “catalyse concrete business partnerships, facilitate cross-border investments, and unlock new opportunities for private sector collaboration within the West Africa market.”

The Forum’s organizing institutions include the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ), the Agence de Promotion des Investissements et des Exportations (APIEx) of Benin, the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations du Bénin (CDC Bénin), and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).

Institutional partners span both countries and include the Embassy of Benin in Nigeria, FEWACCI, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), 234Finance, and other chamber organizations in Abuja and Lagos.

The Forum’s agenda highlights key sectors with strong cross-border investment potential, including agro-industry and food processing, infrastructure and construction, logistics and transport, maritime and port services, energy and renewables, as well as education and innovation.

By focusing on these sectors, the BNBF seeks to strengthen regional value chains and unlock new commercial opportunities for businesses operating across both markets.

Organizers expect participation from more than 400 business leaders, investors, and government representatives, alongside over 50 targeted B2B meetings designed to facilitate deal-making and partnership development.

Hosting the Forum in both Abuja and Lagos reflects a deliberate effort to engage Nigeria’s political and commercial centres, ensuring broad-based participation and impact.

The BNBF 2026 is taking place against the backdrop of broader efforts to formalize and enhance Benin–Nigeria trade relations.

Earlier in 2025, officials from both countries agreed on a joint trade framework aimed at reducing cross-border barriers and improving cooperation on customs and logistics, signalling sustained political support for deeper economic integration.

234Finance, a platform dedicated to promoting African entrepreneurship and private sector growth, is partnering with the Forum to support inclusive participation.

Through its engagement, 234Finance is amplifying the involvement of entrepreneurs and growth-stage companies by connecting them with investors, institutional partners, and regional opportunities.

The platform ensures that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and emerging businesses are represented in strategic dialogues and commercial opportunities arising from the Forum.

As the event approaches, stakeholders across both countries are preparing for structured engagements that could lead to new partnerships, co-investments, and expanded trade flows.

By facilitating direct dialogue between business leaders, investors, and policymakers, the Benin–Nigeria Business Forum 2026 is positioned to serve as a critical platform for advancing economic collaboration and private sector–led growth in West Africa.

Registration for the Forum closes on January 15, 2026. Interested participants, including investors, entrepreneurs, and public sector representatives, are encouraged to secure their place.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers.

She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay.

She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos.

As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender.

She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies.

Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category.

She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category.

She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations.

Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.

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