In central Benin, Abomey is moving forward methodically. The former capital of Dahomey, the city is transforming its heritage into a measurable economic driver. Between political memory and territorial strategy, a structured repositioning is underway. The stated objective: to convert history into sustainable and quantifiable value.
With over 92,266 inhabitants spread across 142 km², resulting in a controlled population density of 650 inhabitants/km², Abomey benefits from an organization into 7 districts and a strategic location 145 kilometers from Cotonou. This territorial equation combines accessibility and urban coherence. Founded in the 17th century by Houégbadja, the city was home to a centralized state for nearly 300 years, until the fall of King Béhanzin in 1894. This historical foundation transcends mere memory, continuing to shape contemporary dynamics. Today, this heritage has become a significant economic asset. The Royal Palaces of Abomey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, cover 47 hectares, encompass 10 palaces, and house over 1,050 preserved artifacts. This substantial heritage is now integrated into a strategy of cultural development.
In Abomey as well, we have received the first deliveries of equipment, including what we call the ‘café,’ the new ‘café,’ which is the royal family’s administrative center, where the king essentially meets to work on a daily basis. This obviously allows us to free up the site so that the work can begin. There too, we are in the tendering phase to select the companies so that the museum construction can begin, as well as the rehabilitation of four former palaces.
JEAN-MICHEL ABIMBOLA, Former Minister of Culture
Within the framework of the Government Action Program 2021–2026, the ambition is being quantified and structured: an internationally renowned museum dedicated to the Amazons and the kings of Dahomey, integrated tourist circuits, the Vodun convent route and the Tata route, developed and accessible sites, and a cultural arena large enough to host major events.
The most important thing for us, and for the 2026 fiscal year, is, as I told you, the completion of the major projects currently underway. Regarding museums, tourist sites, and a number of reforms—since the various projects differentiate them—they will be delivered and operational starting in 2026-2027, when we should have all the projects completed, perhaps the last ones in 2028, but everything will be operational by then.
JEAN-MICHEL ABIMBOLA, Former Minister of Culture
In parallel, cultural training programs are being implemented to train a new generation of professionals capable of producing and exporting content. Since 2016, the change in scale has been clear. Over 100 kilometers of improved roads, several strategic routes opened up, a renovated multi-sports stadium: the infrastructure is redefining traffic flow and improving regional competitiveness. Added to this is the gradual return of historical works, which strengthens the available cultural heritage.
