Cotonou vibrated to the rhythm of local produce and national pride on October 18, 2025. In an atmosphere that was both solemn and festive, Gari Sohoui from Savalou and Agonlin Oil Protected Geographical Indication registration certificate , an official recognition granted 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 Pain de Sucre pineapple from the Allada Plateau.
This is 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, which have become symbols, lie stories, traditions, and families who, for generations, have perpetuated a unique expertise. Thanks to their certification, these products are no longer known solely 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 the Minister of Industry and Trade of Benin, Ms. 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 enhance our expertise, strengthen consumer confidence and open new markets for our producers.”
By linking cultural heritage and economic value creation, Geographical Indications empower African territories to stand out in global trade. They also enable young people, increasingly drawn to agricultural entrepreneurship, to believe in the profitability of "local production".
Benin is leading the way
With three protected products now in place, Benin has become one of the most advanced African countries in implementing the OAPI Geographical Indication system. This success perfectly illustrates the strategic role of Intellectual Property as a lever for sustainable development. For OAPI, this momentum must extend across the entire continent: "Every African product carries within it a story, an identity, a promise. Protecting them means building Africa's economic future on the basis of its own resources," the Director General emphasized.
And then what?
The producers of Gari Sohoui from Savalou and Agonlin Oil now possess a powerful tool to promote their products, conquer new markets, and strengthen the cohesion of their communities. But beyond Benin, this ceremony sends a strong message to all of Africa: development can spring from our land, our hands, and our pride .
