Benin defence minister Gildas Agonkan tours Cana military aviation school
Benin’s delegated minister of national defence, Gildas Habib Bignon Agonkan, conducted a working visit to the Cana military aviation school (EAM-Cana) on Friday, 9 October 2026, to assess its training capacity and identify infrastructure gaps.
What the Cana aviation school does
Based at the Cana air base, EAM-Cana develops aeronautical skills for the Beninese armed forces. Its curriculum covers piloting, aircraft maintenance, air traffic control and technical support. Classrooms, simulators, workshops and innovation spaces are designed to prepare military personnel for the growing demands of the air force. The school also contributes to training the 100 drone pilots recruited by the general staff.
Ministerial visit and high-level meetings
During the visit, the minister was received by Lieutenant Colonel Olayéni Thierry Monda, commander of the Cana air base. He attended presentations on the missions, equipment and challenges of several units stationed there, including the 1st Mixed Artillery Battalion, the National Officers School and the Peacekeeping Operations Training Centre.
Facilities, drone demo and runway inspection
The delegation then toured EAM-Cana’s teaching and technical infrastructure, including classrooms, flight simulators and maintenance workshops. A reconnaissance drone demonstration was flown by military trainees. The visit concluded with an inspection of the airfield runway, which base officials say is ageing and no longer meets current standards and operational needs.
Push for national training and regional ambition
At the end of the immersion, Agonkan praised the command’s work and the commitment of instructors and trainees. He stressed the importance of training pilots and technicians on national soil to strengthen Benin’s autonomy in military aeronautics.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s willingness to support the school’s development. The stated ambition is to turn EAM-Cana into a sub-regional reference hub. Achieving this will require investment in infrastructure, equipment and teaching resources, particularly to meet the growing demands of aviation training.
Sovereignty stakes
Through this visit, the authorities highlight the role of specialised training in modernising the Beninese armed forces. The development of EAM-Cana is presented as a key issue for aerial sovereignty.
