Local product markets launch in Togo and Benin to boost domestic consumption

New initiatives have been launched in Togo and Benin to promote the consumption of locally manufactured and processed goods.

In Lomé, Togo, the fifth edition of the Local Products Market officially opened on October 19, 2026. Organized by Amehame Akouvi Edi of Egbeze, the event focuses on the theme ‘Women entrepreneurs, builders of the local economy.’ The market aims to increase the visibility of Togolese products in sectors such as cosmetics, agri-food, and textiles, while supporting female entrepreneurship and the transformation of national resources into value-added goods.

In Cotonou, Benin, the seventh edition of the ‘Consume Local’ month introduced the ‘Panier-minute’ (Minute Basket) challenge. Led by the Minister of Internal Trade, Shadiya Assouma, the initiative encourages consumers to integrate local products into their daily diets through a timed challenge where participants attempt to fill a basket with domestic goods using a set budget. The program seeks to combine entertainment with awareness to strengthen the Beninese economy.