IFDC and the Republic of Benin formally renewed their Memorandum of Agreement at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 5. Along with nine other organizations operating in the country, IFDC was at the heart of the ceremony to reaffirm its strategic partnership with Benin.
“By renewing this agreement, we are committing to redouble our efforts, innovate continuously, and work hand in hand to ensure that Beninese farmers prosper sustainably on fertile soils.”
Adodo Abalo, IFDC Country Director in Benin
His Excellency Franck Armel Afoukou, Ambassador, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Benin, presided over the ceremony.
“The agreements we have just signed have a threefold significance: formal, political, and symbolic. Formally, they define the rights, obligations, and facilities granted for the smooth running of your activities on Beninese territory. Politically, they reflect the government’s willingness to collaborate with credible partners in line with national priorities. Symbolically, they reflect our shared commitment, yours and ours, to the well-being of the people,” remarked Afoukou.
According to Adodo Abalo, IFDC Country Director in Benin, the renewal of this agreement is not simply an administrative formality, but the seal of a lasting friendship and fruitful collaboration between IFDC and Benin, making Benin a strategic pillar of IFDC’s operations in West Africa.
After expressing IFDC’s gratitude to President Patrice Talon for his leadership and support for investment in agriculture, as well as to the technical teams of the Ministries for their diligence, Abalo said that the new phase of the partnership between IFDC and Benin is resolutely focused on the challenges of soil erosion and climate threats.
Abalo concluded by emphasizing IFDC’s commitment: “By renewing this agreement, we are committing to redouble our efforts, innovate continuously, and work hand in hand to ensure that Beninese farmers prosper sustainably on fertile soils. This new headquarters agreement is the foundation that will enable us to make Benin a hub of excellence for soil health in West Africa.”
This agreement covers IFDC’s next five years of intervention in Benin and will help lay the groundwork for deeper collaboration, greater innovation, and impactful results that will support the country’s agricultural ambitions and contribute to food security across West Africa.
