Luxembourg finances port trade training in Benin with 15 million euros

A funding package of nearly 10 billion CFA francs for CAP-PORT

The signing of this memorandum of understanding took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in the United States, during the third Joint Cooperation Commission between the two nations. For the Beninese side, the document was signed by the Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of External Resource Mobilization and Debt Management, Hugues Oscar Lokossou. Opposite him, Xavier Bettel, Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Luxembourg, represented the Grand Duchy.

This funding of 15 million euros, or approximately 9.8 billion CFA francs, supports the project named "CAP-PORT: Skills and Professionalization for Port and Logistics Trades". This initiative aims to restructure technical apprenticeship and facilitate access to employment in the maritime ecosystem.

Integration of youth and women aged 18 to 35

The CAP-PORT program primarily targets populations aged 18 to 35, particularly women and young people who are unemployed or have low qualifications. It is also aimed at active professionals wishing to update their technical knowledge.

The training will cover several areas, including:

• operation and maintenance of handling equipment and vehicles;
• safety and security;
• documentary compliance;
• use of digital systems.

Towards a new indicative cooperation program

This agreement is part of a broader bilateral partnership whose active overall budget now reaches nearly 95 million euros. Beyond the port sector, the delegations explored future areas of work focused on security, advanced technologies, and artificial intelligence.

The two governments have begun discussions to design the next Indicative Cooperation Program. This future strategic framework will aim to align with the guidelines of the new Action Program of the Government of Benin.