The Cotonou port in Benin is adjusting to shifting regional dynamics by diversifying its trade routes and markets. Traditionally, the port has been heavily reliant on a limited number of transport corridors, making it vulnerable to geopolitical changes in the region. With this in mind, the port is adapting by expanding its reach to new markets, such as Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Chad, to reduce its dependence on any single country. This strategy is being supported by the increasing flow of goods to Burkina Faso, which has become a major market since 2025. According to Kévin Potier, the commercial director of the Autonomous Port of Cotonou (PAC), nearly 1 million tons of goods—mostly hydrocarbons—transited through the port to Burkina Faso last year. This shift reflects a broader restructuring of the port's operations, which has also seen Nigeria rise to second place among the markets it serves. Nigeria benefits from the proximity of the Cotonou port, which helps alleviate the congestion at its own ports. Meanwhile, Chad is emerging as another potential market for the port, with Cotonou aiming to become a key entry point for goods heading to this landlocked country. Efforts by Chad to diversify its supply routes have led to increased engagement with coastal ports, including a visit by a delegation from the Chad Carriers Council to Cotonou in 2025. Despite these new directions, Niger still plays a role in the port's operations. However, the nature of the trade has changed, with Niger now exporting its hydrocarbons through the Sèmè-Podji platform, located near Cotonou, rather than through the port itself. The Cotonou port is also seeing a rise in its own exports, driven in part by the industrial platform of Glo-Djigbé (GDIZ), which is promoting the development of new goods for external markets. Overall, the port has experienced a significant increase in activity. Total traffic rose from 9.6 million tons in 2024 to 14.7 million tons in 2025, with containerized traffic surpassing 500,000 TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units). In the first half of 2026, the port handled 7.7 million tons of goods, with exports increasing by nearly 30% compared to the previous year. This growth is supported by an investment program launched in 2021, which includes 12 major projects valued at nearly 500 billion CFA francs (approximately 859 million USD). These projects aim to enhance the port's capacity and infrastructure. In the long term, the port hopes to handle 25 million tons of traffic annually and more than 1 million TEU. However, maintaining this momentum will depend on factors such as the competitiveness of land corridors, logistics costs, and efficient customs procedures. The port must also contend with competition from other regional ports vying for the same landlocked markets.