Kenya: New $49.7 million project to boost agricultural production
A significant celebration for a key player in the Beninese economy
From March 21 to 29, 2025, the Autonomous Port of Cotonou (PAC) celebrated its 60th anniversary. A historic event organized with the support of the Ministry of Living Environment and Transport in charge of Sustainable Development, and in partnership with Port of Antwerp-Bruges. This celebration brought together the main players in the maritime and port sector around a port considered the economic lung of Benin and a strategic hub for the West African sub-region .
Benin Terminal, a leading partner for the anniversary
A key player in the Beninese logistics chain, Benin Terminal , a subsidiary of Africa Global Logistics (AGL) , actively supported the festivities as a DIAMOND partner . Through this commitment, the company reaffirmed its desire to be part of the port’s long-term development and contribute to its influence.
“Kùdo jigbézǎn to the leading institution of the port community of Benin,” declared Fabrice TURE, General Manager of Benin Terminal, reaffirming the company’s commitment to the PAC’s vision of performance and excellence.
A central role in sub-regional trade
The Port of Cotonou handles an average of 80 to 90 commercial vessels per month and accounts for 90% of Benin’s international trade . It plays a strategic transit role for neighboring countries such as Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali and Nigeria , representing 49% of regional traffic and serving a market estimated at 100 million consumers . Through expansion and modernization works, the port is aiming for a capacity of 23 million tonnes by 2038 .
Benin Terminal: investments, jobs and social impact
Since 2013, Benin Terminal has invested 150 billion FCFA ( 229 million euros ) to make the container terminal a regional logistics hub . The company employs 480 Beninese and generates more than 1,000 indirect jobs through subcontracting. It also carries out social actions in partnership with NGOs: support for schooling, youth empowerment, environmental awareness, etc.
Conclusion
The celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Autonomous Port of Cotonou symbolizes much more than a simple anniversary: it is the recognition of a strategic pillar of national and regional economic development. Through the involvement of stakeholders like Benin Terminal, the port is firmly committed to a dynamic of modernization, performance, and sustainability. A clear ambition: to make the Port of Cotonou a model port for West Africa. A response to climate challenges in the country’s main agricultural area.
On March 28, 2025, the Kenyan Ministry of Cooperatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises launched an ambitious six-year agricultural transformation project. With a total budget of 6.4 billion shillings (US$49.7 million), this initiative aims to strengthen the climate resilience of the agricultural sector in the Lake Region Economic Bloc, the country’s main agricultural breadbasket.
Funding supported by international partners
The project, titled “Transforming Livelihoods through Sustainable, Climate-Resilient, and Low-Carbon Agricultural Value Chains,” is supported primarily by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and partners such as the FAO. Efforts will focus on climate change adaptation, access to smart agricultural services, and the sustainable restoration of degraded agricultural landscapes.
Wide range and precise targets
This initiative targets six priority value chains: dairy, poultry, coffee, tea, fruit trees, and vegetables. It is expected to directly benefit more than 572,000 vulnerable smallholder farmers across the 14 counties of the Lake Region Economic Bloc, including Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, and Kericho.
An increasingly hostile climatic context
According to the FAO, counties in the Lakes Region are experiencing increased droughts, rising temperatures, and heavy rainfall. These extreme conditions cause flooding, landslides, waterborne diseases, and pest infestations. In 2024, nearly 64,000 hectares of crops were destroyed by flooding, according to official data.
A strategic agricultural sector for Kenya
It’s worth remembering that agriculture accounts for 21% of Kenya’s GDP and employs approximately 32% of the workforce. In this context, strengthening the sector’s resilience is not only vital for food security but also for the country’s economic stability.
Conclusion
Through this new agricultural transformation project, Kenya affirms its commitment to building sustainable, resilient, and inclusive agriculture. By targeting smallholder producers and integrating climate-smart solutions, the government and its partners seek to ensure food security and economic growth while protecting ecosystems weakened by climate change.
