In Benin, Benin Organics, one of the factories within the GDIZ (Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone) officially launched its activities on Monday 20 March.
Indeed, specialising in the processing of soybeans, the plant intends to process more than 30,000 tonnes of organic soybeans this year, supplied by more than 25,000 local producers, with the aim of doubling production capacity by 2024, according to corroborating sources.
Thus, it will produce crude soybean oil, degummed soybean oil, de-oiled meal and lecithin, the quality of which will be certified by laboratories meeting international standards in order to increase the competitiveness of “Made in Benin” products.
With the launching of Benin Organics, GDIZ continues to ensure job creation for Benin’s youth, generating over 300 direct and indirect jobs by the end of the year.
In addition, like cotton, cashew and shea, soya is now a priority product and has become one of the flagship sectors that the government has decided to promote by increasing productivity, supporting value chains and improving distribution channels. The reforms initiated by Benin’s executive in the sector include measures to ban the export of this legume from 1 April 2024. These measures aim to accelerate the processing of these agricultural products to increase job creation, wealth creation and diversification of value chains.
GDIZOpenDays
In addition, over the last few days, the GDIZ has organised a series of open days for Benin’s schoolchildren, pupils and students. Thus, more than 1000 young people went to discover this Beninese industrial hub. This was an opportunity for the organisers to make them understand the government’s industrialisation policy for the local transformation of raw materials produced in Benin. Then to introduce them to the different professions and job opportunities within the GDIZ. And finally, to encourage them to excel in their studies, so that they can become important actors in the industrialisation of Benin.
