• Benin approved the construction of three agricultural vocational schools in Bassila, Ouessè, and Zè, launching a broader program of 26 agricultural training institutions.

• The initiative forms part of a national strategy to expand technical and vocational education (TVET)to 70% of students by 2030, up from less than 30%.

• Agriculture generates around 70% of jobsand contributes about 24–30% of GDP, yet the sector remains dominated by small, low-productivity farms.

During a Council of Ministers meeting on March 11, authorities authorized the construction of agricultural training institutions in the municipalities of Bassila, Ouessè, and Zè. At the same time, the government approved technical supervision and monitoring of the worksites.

These three facilities represent the first phase of a national program that plans the construction and rehabilitation of 26 agricultural training institutions. According to the official statement, the program includes “the construction and rehabilitation of twenty-six agricultural training institutions, including 12 agricultural high schools and 14 vocational schools,”designed to train “a new type of agricultural operator.”

TVET, a New Direction for Benin’s Education System

The decision forms part of a structural reform launched in 2021. By prioritizing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), the government aims to reshape the country’s education system.

Under the policy driven by President Patrice Talon, authorities aim for 70% of Benin’s student population to enroll in TVET programs by 2030, compared with less than 30% currently, according to data from France’s Ministry of Agriculture.

This reform reflects the weight of agriculture in the national economy. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) estimates that agriculture generates roughly 70% of employment in Benin and contributes close to 30% of gross domestic product, although official Beninese statistics place the share slightly lower.

A Strategic Sector Still Below Its Potential

Data from the National Institute of Statistics and Demography (INStaD) show that the primary sector accounted for 24.2% of GDP in 2024, highlighting a structural transformation that remains gradual.

On the ground, the World Bank describes a sector dominated by small-scale farms with low productivity. About 34% of farms cover less than one hectare, and most operate in an informal environment.

Export data illustrate the same structural pattern. According to figures cited by France’s Treasury Directorate in July 2024, cotton represents 49% of Benin’s exports, followed by soybeans at 12.5% and cashew nuts at 11%. Producers export most of these commodities in raw form without processing.

The need to move up the value chain remains pressing. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that Benin’s economy grew by 7.5% in 2024. However, a 2025 INStaD study shows that the primary sector contributed only 1.6 percentage points to that growth, compared with 3.6 points from the services sector alone.

Authorities aim to address this imbalance by strengthening agricultural skills and professionalization. The remaining 23 agricultural training institutions planned under the program will play a central role in that strategy.

This article was initially published in French by Félicien Houindo Lokossou

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum