Afreximbank and Partners Host FocusSEZ 2026 to Boost Industrial Investment and Local Processing in Benin
The two-day forum brought together international investors, industrialists, buyers and development finance institutions to explore investment opportunities at the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone, including textile manufacturing and other value-added industries.
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in partnership with Société d’Investissement et de Promotion de l’Industrie (SIPI-BENIN S.A) and Panafritex, organised the Special Economic Zones Investment Forum (FocusSEZ 2026) on October 21–22, 2026. The event was held at the Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel and the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ).
Under the theme “Investing in Local Processing and Industrialisation”, the forum brought together international investors, industrialists, buyers and development finance institutions to examine opportunities for local processing, industrial investment and strategic partnerships within the GDIZ.
Local Processing and Value Addition Take Centre Stage
Addressing the forum on behalf of Ms Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank, Mr Jean Arsene Yemina, Regional Director of Operations for Francophone West Africa at the Bank, highlighted the importance of financing and industrial partnerships in converting Africa's raw materials into finished products.
He pointed to Benin's textile sector as an example of this industrial transformation. The Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone was established through a partnership between the Government of Benin and ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP), with Afreximbank contributing to its financing.
The zone hosts West Africa's first fully integrated cotton-to-garment manufacturing platform, operated by Benin Textile (BTEX). Its operations cover the entire value chain, from ginning and spinning to weaving and finished garment production.
Before the establishment of GDIZ, less than 1% of Benin's cotton was processed locally. Within three years, the industrial zone had reached a processing capacity of approximately 40,000 metric tons of cotton, representing nearly 12% of national production. It also produces millions of garments carrying the “Made in Benin” label for international brands, including US Polo, Kiabi and H&M.
Yemina also highlighted initiatives at GDIZ to strengthen local processing across the cashew, soybean and shea value chains.
Mr Létondji Beheton, Director General of SIPI-BENIN S.A, stressed the need for African countries to move beyond exporting unprocessed natural resources and develop stronger domestic industries.
“Our ambition can no longer be limited to producing and exporting raw materials. We must go further by processing more of these resources on our continent, developing competitive industries, strengthening our value chains and retaining a greater share of the wealth generated from our natural resources.”
He explained that GDIZ was established through a public-private partnership between the Republic of Benin and ARISE IIP to make local processing a driver of economic growth, employment and industrial development.
By attracting manufacturing investments and developing integrated value chains, the zone aims to convert raw materials into higher-value products, strengthen Benin's industrial capabilities and improve its competitiveness in regional and international markets.
Beheton added that the initiative supports the development of a more diversified economy capable of generating wealth and creating sustainable opportunities.
Panafritex Highlights Africa's Integrated Textile Manufacturing Potential
Mr Arvind Mathur, CEO of PANAFRITEX, discussed the role of ARISE IIP's textile platform in building an integrated African textile industry capable of converting locally grown cotton into finished, higher-value products.
He highlighted the need to develop industrial capabilities that can strengthen the sector's competitiveness and expand access to international markets.
“At PANAFRITEX, we are contributing to this momentum by developing a model that brings together industrial processing, business development and the promotion of finished products. Our own brands, Obalé and SúSú, are part of this approach, connecting Africa’s manufacturing capabilities with consumer markets.”
Mathur identified the commissioning of Panafritex's first industrial facilities at GDIZ in Benin as an important milestone in implementing this model.
He also outlined plans to expand the company's industrial presence through the development of new facilities in Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and Tanzania.
The expansion is intended to strengthen African textile value chains, generate skilled employment and retain a larger share of the value created through local manufacturing.
Financing, Market Access and Business Networking
The forum addressed several areas relevant to industrial development, including emerging African industrial hubs, the cotton value chain, textile industry financing, logistics and integrated supply chains.
The programme also included business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) meetings with selected public-sector institutions. These discussions aimed to identify investment opportunities, financing options and potential commercial partnerships.
Afreximbank presented its financial instruments and support facilities for businesses and investors seeking to establish or expand industrial operations. These include:
- Long-term financing and equipment financing.
- Trade finance and working capital facilities.
- Guarantees and risk-sharing mechanisms.
- Project preparation support.
- Equity investment through the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA).
The Bank also presented its Africa Buyers Programme, which connects African buyers with manufacturers operating in industrial zones across the continent. The initiative seeks to combine access to finance with market opportunities for products manufactured in Africa.
A dedicated day was organised for participants to visit GDIZ, explore its infrastructure and industrial facilities, and participate in business matchmaking sessions involving investors, manufacturers and buyers.
These engagements were intended to encourage the establishment of new manufacturing facilities and expand sourcing opportunities for “Made in Benin” products. Priority sectors included agribusiness, textiles, plastics, packaging and industrial equipment.
The wider objective is to increase production capacity across these industries and strengthen the availability of quality-certified products manufactured in Benin.
GDIZ's Integrated Industrial Development Model
Spanning 1,640 hectares, the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone is a strategic partnership between the Republic of Benin and ARISE IIP.
The zone is designed as an integrated industrial ecosystem supporting investors across the value chain. Its infrastructure connects locally sourced agricultural and mineral raw materials with industrial processing and finished-product exports, supported by links to the country's logistics network and the Port of Cotonou.
Through FocusSEZ 2026, Benin presented its industrial investment opportunities, regulatory framework and infrastructure to international investors and business partners.
The forum highlighted the role of special economic zones in strengthening local processing, attracting manufacturing investment and developing integrated supply chains. Its discussions also underscored the potential of Africa's textile industry to retain more value through domestic production, regional industrial partnerships and access to international markets.