Germany – Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security – 10021316-Lot 1: Strengthening MSME Competitiveness, Market Access and Business Environment Reform in Benin

Benin's economy has experienced sustained economic growth in recent years, with GDP growth estimated at approximately 6.4% in 2023 and 7.5% in 2024. Despite this positive trend, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which represent more than 95% of registered enterprises in Benin, continue to face major structural constraints limiting their competitiveness and job creation potential. These constraints include limited managerial and technical capacities, weak market integration, insufficient access to finance and qualified labour, low levels of digitalisation, and limited access to quality infrastructure and certification services. The Government of Benin has identified private sector development, employment promotion and economic transformation as key priorities through the National Development Plan 2018-2025, the national SME promotion strategy and the national employment promotion strategy. In parallel, the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) creates new opportunities for regional and international trade, while increasing the need for enterprises to comply with quality and certification requirements. In this context, the project "Employment-oriented promotion of the competitiveness of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises" (ProPME 2), implemented by GIZ, aims to strengthen the competitiveness of MSMEs with employment impact. The project focuses particularly on MSMEs operating in sectors with high employment potential, including agri-food processing, renewable energies, crafts and services. Special attention is given to women-led enterprises, young entrepreneurs and enterprises located in northern regions of Benin. The overall objective of the module is: "The competitiveness of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in selected regions and sectors in Benin has been improved with employment impact." In addition, the project contributes to the implementation of the Alliance for Product Quality in Africa (AfPQ),...