Benin is taking a step towards becoming West Africa’s leading trade and logistics hub as the Africa Logistics Zone, a joint initiative between the Port Autonome de Cotonou (PAC) and Port of Antwerp-Bruges International (PoABI), becomes operational. Leveraging its strategic coastal location, the Port of Cotonou offers an important trade gateway for importation into landlocked countries such as Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. The Africa Logistics Zone aims to leverage the port’s regional significance through bringing together updated facilities and cutting-edge logistics infrastructure.
Since it began working with the Port Authority of Cotonou in 2018, PoABI has facilitated life-changing improvements in port productivity and day-to-day operations. These results have ranked Cotonou among the world’s top-improving ports, according to the Global Container Port Performance Index by S&P and the World Bank. The Africa Logistics Zone seeks to build on this momentum to make the port a competitive logistics center for West Africa.
The program has also brought onboard ASCELA as a strategic advisory partner, bringing in expertise in infrastructure planning, logistics efficiency, and sustainable development. ASCELA’s Managing Director Nivesh Chaudhary called the program “a visionary plan to unleash West Africa’s potential to become a regional trade hub.” He emphasized that ASCELA is committed to creating a strong, efficient, and future-proofed logistics network that will propel sustainable economic growth across Benin and the region at large.
The Africa Logistics Zone will be incorporated with next-generation infrastructure and smart logistics systems and green design. Warehousing, processing, and distribution centers will be connected with multimodal transport solutions to enable the easy transportation of goods by road, rail, and sea. The project will target value-added services, trade facilitation, and industrialization of the region, investment attraction, and economic growth.
Project execution will be coordinated from South Africa’s regional headquarters of ASCELA, supported by global offices located in Gurugram (India), Dubai (UAE), and Singapore. International synergy guarantees the execution of global best practices in logistics, technology, and sustainability throughout the project.
By creating Cotonou as a modern logistics hub, the Africa Logistics Zone will enhance trading efficiency, reduce transport costs, and enhance the connectivity of West Africa. The project will create jobs, attract regional and foreign investment, and make Benin a focal point in the continent’s supply chain. To the private sector and governments, the project represents the first giant step towards positioning West Africa as a significant player in global trade.