About the Chamber
The Benin–US Chamber of Commerce is a business platform dedicated to strengthening economic and commercial relationships between Benin and the United States. We connect businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, professionals, and institutions while promoting trade, investment, strategic partnerships, and sustainable opportunities across both countries.
Our Story
The vision for the Benin–US Chamber of Commerce grew out of its founder Victor Gbenou’s professional experience working with American companies since 2007. Through this experience, he observed that many African businesses—particularly those operating in French-speaking countries—had limited access to American technologies, technical expertise, business networks, and potential strategic partners.
One of the earliest expressions of this vision was the creation of the American Business Club together with Mr. Haider. This initiative was complemented by a series of thematic business luncheons designed to bring together companies and professionals interested in developing commercial relationships and business opportunities with the United States. These early experiences demonstrated the importance of creating a structured and sustainable platform capable of connecting businesses across both markets.
The Benin–US Chamber of Commerce builds upon that experience. It is being developed to facilitate technology transfer, promote investment, support the creation of strategic joint ventures, and foster long-term partnerships between businesses in Benin, Francophone Africa, and the United States. Its purpose is to help businesses share expertise, access new technologies, identify reliable partners, enter new markets, and grow together on both sides of the Atlantic.
Our Mission
Our mission is to strengthen economic and commercial relations between Benin and the United States by connecting businesses, facilitating investment, promoting entrepreneurship, and creating strategic partnerships that generate sustainable growth and mutual opportunities.
Our Vision
Our vision is to become a trusted gateway for trade, investment, technology transfer, and strategic cooperation between the United States, Benin, and Francophone Africa. We aspire to create an environment in which American innovation and expertise can connect with African talent, market potential, and entrepreneurial ambition—leading to sustainable joint ventures, stronger businesses, and shared economic growth.
Our Values
Integrity
Partnership
Excellence
Innovation
Opportunity
Meet the Founder
Victor Gbenou is a legal and business consultant, corporate administrator, and entrepreneur with professional experience connecting American and African business environments. Since 2007, his work with American companies and his initiatives to bring together organizations interested in developing business relationships with the United States have shaped the vision behind the Benin–US Chamber of Commerce.
His objective is to create practical pathways for technology transfer, strategic joint ventures, investment, and trusted long-term partnerships between businesses in the United States, Benin, and Francophone Africa.
“Business connections create lasting value when they lead to shared expertise, access to technology, trusted partnerships, and measurable growth.”
Victor GBENOU – Founder
Leadership & Board
The leadership and governance structure of the Benin–US Chamber of Commerce is designed to combine strategic oversight, responsible management, and expertise in trade, investment, technology transfer, membership development, and international partnerships.
Name to be confirmed
Chair of the Board
Name to be confirmed
Vice Chair
Name to be confirmed
Secretary
Name to be confirmed
Treasurer
Name to be confirmed
Director – Trade & Investment
Name to be confirmed
Director – Technology Transfer & Innovation
Name to be confirmed
Director – Membership & Strategic Partnerships
Governance
The Benin–US Chamber of Commerce is committed to transparent, responsible, and accountable governance. Its governance framework is designed to protect the Chamber’s mission, ensure balanced representation of its members, prevent conflicts of interest, and support sound strategic and financial oversight.
Governance Structure
- Board of Directors
- Executive Leadership
- Standing Committees
- Advisory Council
- General Membership