• Benin approves construction contract for Cotonou Cultural and Creative Quarter
• 12-hectare site to boost arts, cultural industries, and international exchange
• Project aims to position Cotonou as a major West African cultural hub

The Beninese government on Wednesday, Dec. 17 approved a construction contract for the Cotonou Cultural and Creative Quarter (QCC), paving the way for work to begin after several years of preparation.

According to the official statement, the project will cover more than 12 hectares and is designed to position the site as a major hub for Benin’s cultural and creative industries. The complex aims to foster artistic innovation while organising the creation and distribution of cultural works and strengthening their economic value through a network of interconnected facilities and programmes.

Construction has been awarded to an experienced consortium, operating under the supervision of the relevant ministries to ensure smooth implementation, the statement said. Beyond its urban development role, the government said it aims to turn Cotonou into a leading cultural hub in West Africa, connecting the city to major international artistic centres and encouraging cross-border cultural exchanges.

The project forms part of a broader effort to develop Benin’s cultural sector, supported by large-scale recurring events and sustained public investment. In terms of heritage and identity, the country reached a milestone with Vodun Days 2025. Data from the National Institute of Statistics and Demography (INStaD) show that the second edition attracted more than 435,000 participants over three days dedicated to Vodun arts, culture and spirituality, a sharp increase from the 2024 event.

At the international level, Benin also stepped up its cultural diplomacy at World Expo 2025 in Osaka, where it showcased its heritage and creative industries through a programme of cultural events and exchanges targeting a global audience.

First unveiled in June 2023, the Cotonou Cultural and Creative Quarter project seeks to turn arts and culture into sustainable drivers of job and wealth creation. Following technical studies and the design phase, the contract approval marks a concrete step towards the implementation of a project set to reshape Benin’s creative economy.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou