How our embassies and regional trade agencies work together perfectly on the ground

An economic mission of the Wallonia Export-Investment Agency (AWEX) to Benin and Togo yielded fine results, partly thanks to the well-oiled cooperation with our embassy in Cotonou (Benin). It's a great example of how Team Belgium are united in the field to promote our country's image and prosperity.

In Belgium, supporting foreign trade and attracting investment is mainly the task of the regions. To this end, they each have an agency, namely FIT (Flemish Region), hub.brussels (Brussels-Capital Region) and AWEX (Walloon Region).

Excellent cooperation

This does not prevent the FPS Foreign Affairs from also playing a prominent role in promoting our foreign trade. We do this, in part, through our embassies and consulates - our antennae abroad - along with a network of economic advisors and honorary consuls.

Our FPS clearly has excellent cooperation on the ground with the regional trade agencies. A great illustration of this was the economic mission that took place in Benin and Togo in November 2024. The initiator was the Walloon trade agency AWEX and our embassy in Cotonou (Benin) primarily deployed its local contacts. The end result was a successful mission with satisfied Belgian companies and a remarkable boost to our country's image.

25 years as a partner country

The West African countries of Benin (population of 13 million) and Togo (population of 8 million) are among the least developed in the area. Trade with Belgium is limited: about €100 million annually with Benin and €700 million with Togo. Nevertheless, there are interesting opportunities for Belgian companies, including in the green economy (water, environment, energy) and in infrastructure and transport (ports, etc.).

In addition, Benin is not only a partner country of the Belgian Development Cooperation - managed by our FPS - but has also been a partner of the French-speaking body for international relations WBI and APEFE for 25 years. The head of AWEX, Pascale Delcomminette, is also Administrator General of WBI and Managing Director of APEFE. This is how the idea of combining the celebration of 25 years as a partner country with an economic mission came about.

Dozens of letters

AWEX has no representative in Benin or Togo, only in nearby Abidjan (Ivory Coast) - where it also represents FIT and hub.brussels. Our FPS does have an embassy in Cotonou (Benin), however, and can call on an extremely active honorary consul in Togo. With this close-knit Team Belgium, a well-oiled mission could be organised.

The AWEX representative in Abidjan made several trips to Benin and Togo to prepare for the mission. At her request, our colleagues at the embassy sent dozens of letters to local ministries and agencies to organise contact moments for the (Belgian) companies with the government (B2G).

During a pre-mission, she and the embassy visited AWEX's Beninese and Togolese counterparts and local trade ministers. Our honorary consul in Togo also helped on the ground to organise meetings with ministries and agencies. During the mission itself, she accompanied a few companies on their B2G meetings.

Event at the residence

Ultimately, a comprehensive programme was created. Our ambassador accompanied the delegation during the mission, especially when visiting ministers as it helps to open doors, particularly when the delegation has so many participants. The Belgians were even able to meet the prime minister in Togo.

Also, at the Benin-Togo border crossing - the delegation was transported by bus - our embassy tried to help AWEX through contacts with the protocol services of both countries. Passage for buses carrying so many foreigners can be difficult in this area and this was also the case during the mission, despite thorough preparation.

For a workshop on water in Benin, our embassy provided the residence in Cotonou and paid a percentage of the costs for the official reception in Togo. Together with AWEX, the embassy also compiled the list of invitees for that purpose.

Flemish and Brussels organisations too

In the end, some 40 Belgian companies and organisations participated in the mission, including some Brussels and Flemish companies. For Brussels, the banks ING and KBC, in addition to BESIX and credit insurer Credendo; for Flanders, ADLC (Antwerp start-up for cargo drones) and Frisomat (steel industrial buildings).

On balance, the results from the mission look extremely positive, both economically and politically. Many companies were able to make useful contacts that could later develop into real contracts. But this requires some follow-up and our embassy has a role to play in this too. It mainly maintains relations with local authorities and supports Belgian companies that want to return.

Benin and Togo themselves were also delighted. After all, it's not that often that these countries receive large economic missions in their territories. The local press also reported extensively on the event, on radio, TV and social media as well as in newspapers. Finally, our embassy benefitted greatly from being able to forge close ties with ministers from both countries thanks to this mission.