The West African poultry industry is booming. Driven by urbanization and changing dietary habits, chicken is emerging as the most accessible and popular source of protein. It is even expected to become the most widely consumed meat in the world by 2027.

In Africa, poultry consumption is expected to increase by 21% to reach 7.54 million metric tons in the coming years (source: Ecofin).

Despite this momentum, the West African market remains largely dominated by imported frozen chicken, particularly from Brazil. As a result, local producers struggle to remain competitive: the prices offered by buyers, which are aligned with those of imports, do not cover production costs.

Furthermore, dependence on inputs (day-old chicks, feed, veterinary products) undermines profitability. According to a study by the Center for Rural Development (SLE), these constraints weigh heavily on the competitiveness of local chicken.

Developing local poultry production is a key driver for strengthening food security, creating jobs, and stimulating the rural economy.

A strong poultry sector also generates spillover effects in related sectors such as grains, logistics, veterinary services, and processing. Investing in poultry, therefore, means investing in food sovereignty and the economic development of the entire West African subregion.

Several actions are needed to realize this potential, including:

• Organizing producers and cooperatives: Agricultural clusters foster ties between livestock farmers, processors, and retailers, while improving market access.

• Facilitating access to financing and technical support: In Benin, initiatives such as the National Agricultural Development Fund (FNDA) or theSME Development Agency (ADPME) support poultry farming initiatives and centralize assistance for project leaders.

• Boosting productivity and biosecurity: better-equipped and better-trained farms help reduce costs and improve animal health.

• Support through proactive public policies: Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Nigeria have already restricted poultry imports, while other countries are continuing their efforts to achieve their goals of self-sufficiency.

Our team worked with PORTEO Group to enhance the reliability of its business plan for the future Togolese poultry industry.

This work involved adapting an integrated poultry production model—including feed production, a hatchery, rearing facilities, and a slaughterhouse—drawing on our experts’ experience and a benchmark analysis of similar projects carried out across Africa.

The goal: to develop a solid theoretical business plan capable of attracting investors and laying the foundation for a high-performing and sustainable national poultry industry!