Benin backs exhibition, live ambitions with 9,000-cap arena
Cotonou is set to welcome the country's first arena-level venue, which also forms a key pillar of the government's economic strategy
News By Tochi Louis | 18 June 2026
In a region where conversations around live infrastructure have historically centred on Lagos, Accra, or Kigali, the pace of activity in Benin Republic’s Cotonou is starting to register across the industry.
Festivals such as WeLove Eya and Vodun Days have attracted artists including Burna Boy, Wizkid, Aya Nakamura, Dadju, Davido and Ciara, as the government leans into culture and tourism as key pillars of its economic strategy.
A new 9,000-capacity multipurpose arena planned for Cotonou is the most significant…
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