Benin Business Support Programme

Benin Business Support Programme (BBSP) is an 18-month, Dutch-funded programme accelerating business partnerships and investment between Dutch and Beninese companies in sustainable agriculture and water.

The Benin Business Support Programme (BBSP) is an 18-month initiative designed to strengthen and accelerate commercial partnerships between Dutch and Beninese companies and knowledge partners in the Sustainable Agriculture and Water sectors. Funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Benin and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), the programme supports Dutch companies already active in Benin while also positioning the Beninese market as an attractive destination for new Dutch investment.

Building on the momentum of the Sustainable Agriculture and Water Trade Mission to Benin held in September 2025, the programme focuses on translating connections into concrete business outcomes. Through targeted matchmaking, market intelligence, partner identification, and on-the-ground support, BBSP helps companies move from exploration to execution. The programme aims to facilitate sustainable partnerships, stimulate private-sector investment, and foster long-term Dutch–Beninese collaboration that contributes to resilient food systems and improved water management.

Programme Approach

The Business Support Programme is anchored on 4 interconnected phases: Assessment, Connection, Collaboration, and Continuity. Together, these phases are designed to facilitate connections that support Dutch and Beninese private-sector actors in progressing from initial contact towards concrete, sustainable partnerships and investments in the agriculture and water sectors.

Why Sustainable Agriculture and Water are Strategic Focus Sectors for Benin?

Agriculture and water management are central to Benin’s economy and societal wellbeing. Agriculture remains a core driver of employment and livelihoods, with the majority of the population depending on smallholder farming and rain-fed production systems. While the sector offers vital income and supports food security, it is highly vulnerable to climate variability, limited access to improved inputs and technologies, and low productivity — conditions that hinder economic growth and resilience. Persistent challenges include seasonal rainfall variability, drought, flooding, and limited irrigation infrastructure, all of which undermine yields and amplify food insecurity and rural poverty in many communities (FAO).

Benin’s water resources, including the Niger, Ouémé, and other rivers, are indispensable to agriculture, domestic use, and ecosystem services, yet water quality, management capacity, and infrastructure remain constrained. Climate change exacerbates these vulnerabilities by intensifying the frequency and severity of droughts, floods, and water scarcity in key agricultural zones. Integrated water resources management and innovative water-use solutions are therefore critical to strengthening agricultural productivity, climate adaptation, and sustainable livelihoods (IWMI).

At the same time, the Beninese government and international partners are advancing strategies to modernise both sectors, with priorities that include climate-smart agriculture, improved water governance, and value-chain development. Sustainable practices are essential not only to enhance productivity but also to broaden market access, reduce post-harvest losses, and support diversified, nutrition-sensitive food systems (Netherlands & You).

Dutch expertise aligns strongly with these needs. The Netherlands is globally recognised for its leadership in sustainable agriculture, agri-technology, and water management solutions — from precision farming and climate-smart production systems to advanced irrigation and water infrastructure. Dutch institutions and companies excel in deploying innovative technologies, efficient water-use systems, digital agriculture tools, and integrated approaches that improve crop yields, reduce environmental impact, and enhance supply-chain resilience. Dutch-led programmes and partnerships support capacity building, risk-management systems, and climate adaptation frameworks that are directly relevant to Benin’s context.

Why Explore Benin?

Market potential: Benin’s agriculture sector, including horticulture, fruits and vegetables, poultry, and processing, presents expanding demand for high-quality inputs, technologies, and services that boost productivity and link producers to regional and export markets.
Under-served needs: Water management solutions, from irrigation systems and early warning tools to wastewater and quality management, address persistent gaps and offer clear commercial opportunities.
Strategic positioning: Benin’s geographic location and growing investment climate make it a gateway into West Africa, especially for companies interested in regional distribution or scaling climate-resilient agribusiness models.
Partnership and support infrastructure: Dutch companies can leverage support from programmes facilitated by the Dutch Embassy in Benin, RVO, and business networks to navigate local regulatory environments, identify partners, and co-develop solutions that are both commercially viable and socially impactful.

By focusing on sustainable agriculture and water, the Benin Business Support Programme connects market demand, climate resilience needs, and Dutch private-sector strengths to unlock mutually beneficial opportunities that contribute to economic growth, sustainability, and long-term competitiveness.