The event taking place at the Sofitel Hotel, Cotonou, with an industrial tour of the GDIZ site on the second day.
Held under the theme "Investing in Industrialisation and Value Addition," the two-day Forum brings together investors, industrial players, buyers, financial institutions, development partners and policymakers from across Africa and beyond. The programme is designed to convert opportunities into concrete projects through B2B and B2G engagements, investment discussions, buyer–seller connections and direct interaction with the GDIZ industrial ecosystem.
Speaking at the opening of the Forum, representatives of Afreximbank and GDIZ emphasised that Africa's industrialisation is taking shape through platforms that connect investment, production and markets — from resources to value chains, from investment to industry, and from opportunity to partnership.
As a Chamber dedicated to deepening trade and investment relations between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, NB-CCI's participation aligns squarely with its mandate to promote cross-border industrialisation, value addition and market integration. The Nigeria–Benin corridor remains one of the most dynamic commercial axes in West Africa, and Special Economic Zones such as GDIZ — with its 1,640-hectare integrated platform, one-stop shop and direct connectivity to the Autonomous Port of Cotonou — offer practical pathways for Nigerian and Beninese businesses to manufacture for African and global markets.
During Panel 1 on "Developing the Next Generation of Industrial Parks in Africa through the Afreximbank Initiative for Industrial Parks and Export Processing Zones," distinguished speakers including Mr. Letondji Beheton, Director-General of SIPI-Benin; Mrs. Maryse Lokossou, Director-General of the CDC-Benin; Mr. Lalsaga Sayouba, Managing Director of Capital Development; and Mr. Christian Ndikumagenge Senior Director, Export Development, (Afreximbank), under the moderation of Mrs. Miriam Furaha Karba, Regional Head of Communication at Afreximbank, examined how the Afreximbank initiative can accelerate the development of industrial parks and export processing zones across the continent.
NB-CCI used the occasion to engage partners on opportunities for Nigerian enterprises — particularly in agro-processing, textiles, manufacturing and logistics — to establish production units within GDIZ and leverage the zone's duty-free access to regional and international markets. The Chamber also explored collaboration with Afreximbank on financing solutions, trade facilitation and investment promotion for its members.
The delegation of NB-CCI commends Afreximbank, GDIZ and Panafricex for convening this strategic platform and reaffirms its commitment to transforming the Nigeria–Benin corridor into a hub of industrial production, value addition and shared prosperity.
The Forum continues on 22nd October 2026 with B2B meetings and a guided industrial tour of the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone.
For further enquiries, please contact the NB-CCI Secretariat.


About NB-CCI: The Nigeria–Benin Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a bilateral private-sector institution promoting trade, investment and industrial cooperation between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.
About FOCUS: The Special Economic Zones Investment Forum is powered by Afreximbank in partnership with GDIZ and Panafricex, convening investors, manufacturers, buyers and financing solutions under the theme "Investing in Industrialisation and Value Addition."