Cotonou vibrated on October 18, 2025 to the rhythm of the terroir and national pride. In an atmosphere both solemn and festive, Gari Sohoui de Savalou and Huile d'Agonlin received their certificate of registration as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), an official recognition carried by OAPI and the Government of Benin .
These two emblematic products, born from the know-how of the rural communities of the Collines and Zou departments, now join the prestigious list of PGIs recognized by the OAPI, alongside the Sugarloaf Pineapple from the Allada Plateau.
Another step forward for Benin, which is now establishing itself as a model in the protection and promotion of African local products.
Protecting our products means protecting our identities
Behind these two names that have become symbols, there are stories, traditions and families who, for generations, have perpetuated a unique know-how. Thanks to their labeling, these products are no longer known only for their taste or quality: they are now protected, valued and recognized for what they represent: local identity and creativity .
For the Director General of OAPI, Denis L. Bohoussou , this recognition brings hope and transformation: "Labeling local products means transforming local identity into sustainable wealth. It means offering our producers a tool for competitiveness and pride." The registration of these two PGIs, supported by the PAMPIG 2 and financed by the French Development Agency (AFD), is the result of a long collective effort, carried out with rigor and passion since 2019.
A lever for development and influence for Africa
For Benin's Minister of Industry and Trade, Mrs. Alimatou Shadiya Assouman , this step illustrates the realization of a clear national vision: "Geographical indications are not just a label, they are powerful instruments for economic growth. They promote our know-how, strengthen consumer confidence and open new markets for our producers."
By linking cultural heritage and economic value creation, Geographical Indications give African territories the means to distinguish themselves in global trade. They also enable young people, increasingly turned towards agricultural entrepreneurship, to believe in the profitability of “producing locally.”
Benin shows the way
With three protected products now under its belt, Benin has become one of the most advanced African countries in implementing the OAPI Geographical Indications system. This success perfectly illustrates the strategic role of Intellectual Property as a lever for sustainable development. For OAPI, this dynamic must extend to the entire continent: "Each African product carries within it a story, an identity, a promise. Protecting them means building Africa's economic future based on its own wealth," the Director General emphasizes.
And after?
Producers of Gari Sohoui de Savalou and Agonlin Oil now have a powerful tool to promote their products, conquer new markets, and strengthen community cohesion. But beyond Benin, this ceremony sends a powerful message to all of Africa: development can be born from our lands, our hands, and our pride .
