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During the first official visit by a Canadian foreign minister to Benin, Anita Anand and Benin’s Corinne Amori Brunet launched a new Canadian embassy in Cotonou, marking a step to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties. The move aligns with Canada’s Africa Strategy and reflects Benin’s role as a regional trade hub, with both sides highlighting existing development cooperation in key sectors. The new embassy will serve as a platform to diversify trade and investment between the two countries.

The ministers signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a permanent consultation mechanism for bilateral dialogue, focusing on regional security challenges such as violent extremism and maritime piracy in West Africa. Discussions also involved multiple Beninese ministers, underscoring a coordinated approach across diplomatic, economic, and financial portfolios to advance shared priorities.

Trade between Benin and Canada surged by 77% in 2025, reaching Can$77.1 million, with both countries identifying agribusiness, digital technologies, clean energy, and sustainable finance as key economic priorities. They committed to deepening business partnerships to create jobs and enhance value chains, while Canada announced over Can$5 million in funding for regional security initiatives to address West Africa’s stability concerns.

Canada also pledged approximately Can$11.5 million to support women’s economic empowerment, digital transformation, and social inclusion projects in Benin. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and international law, emphasizing ongoing cooperation within the United Nations and the International Organisation of La Francophonie to address shared global challenges.