SEOUL — Bénin is actively positioning itself as a stable and strategic entry point to the broader West African market, according to Foreign Minister Corinne Amori Brunet. Speaking in an exclusive interview during the Korea-Africa foreign ministers’ meeting in Seoul, Minister Brunet underscored the nation’s compelling attributes for international investors, particularly those from South Korea.
Minister Brunet emphasized that while Bénin might appear as a smaller market in isolation, its true value lies in a combination of factors. She highlighted the country’s robust political stability, proactive investment-friendly policies, and its pivotal geographical placement. The minister clarified that the nation’s current focus is not on potential strategic mineral resources, but rather on leveraging its inherent strengths.
As an active member of both the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), Bénin naturally functions as a vital maritime gateway and a crucial distribution corridor for the entire West African region. This strategic advantage is cultivated through targeted policies, ongoing industrial transformation efforts, and robust connections with neighboring countries.
“While geological assessments might eventually determine the presence of critical minerals, that is not our immediate priority,” Minister Brunet stated. “Our primary focus remains on fostering trade and attracting investors who aim to engage with the regional market as a whole.”
The Foreign Minister expressed her optimistic vision for enhanced collaboration between Bénin and South Korea. She anticipates a strengthening of ties across various sectors, including investment, industrial development, and cultural exchanges, drawing parallels between the two nations’ shared experiences of transformation and growth.
Bénin has embarked on a journey of significant change over the past decade, marked by extensive modernization of its infrastructure and the implementation of a conducive policy framework designed to attract foreign direct investment from countries like South Korea. Minister Brunet noted that these reforms have seen accelerated progress under the administration of President Romuald Wadagni.
She highlighted concrete examples of this progress, including substantial upgrades to the Port of Cotonou, the nation’s primary commercial harbor, which now boasts smart logistics capabilities and digital customs processing. Additionally, the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone has emerged as a key industrial hub, complemented by a nationwide shift to digital administrative systems.
Minister Brunet described Monday’s meeting as a “significant milestone” following the 2024 Korea-Africa summit. She emphasized that this gathering provided a crucial platform to transition from previously made commitments to the implementation of tangible cooperation projects.
Beyond economic ties, the minister also expressed a keen interest in fostering increased cultural exchanges with South Korea, aiming to showcase Bénin’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant arts scene. She specifically mentioned the 2021 repatriation of 26 Béninois artifacts from France, proposing the idea of a touring exhibition of these historical treasures making a stop in Seoul.
Concluding her remarks, Minister Brunet drew a powerful parallel: “We share a common history with Korea. Korea transformed its national trajectory in less than a generation through discipline, reforms, and development. This is precisely what we have been striving for over the past decade.”
This official visit marks Minister Brunet’s first overseas trip since assuming her new cabinet role last month.