The bespoke solution was designed by a Beninese entrepreneur in a bid to enhance access to fresh produce. 

In 2020, Beninese startup DigitAll Farmer introduced Aliments Bénin, an e-commerce platform that aims to enhance fresh product accessibility. The platform bridges the gap between consumers and producers, fostering a vibrant marketplace for agricultural goods.  

Founded by Novalie Houngbédji, Aliments Bénin operates as a web-based platform, eliminating the need for a dedicated mobile application. Users access the platform via their browsers, where they register by providing their email address and creating a secure password. At this juncture, users make a pivotal choice, choosing the “seller” status for those marketing their products or the “customer” status for those seeking to make purchases.

Aliments Bénin boasts an extensive array of offerings, ranging from locally-produced beverages to butchered meats, grocery staples, fresh fruits, vegetables, cereals, tubers, and seafood. By connecting producers directly with consumers, the platform has catalyzed awareness and amplified sales for nearly a hundred agricultural entrepreneurs. Households, restaurants, and pastry shops alike have embraced the convenience of ordering quality agri-food products at equitable prices.

“We were able to help nearly 100 producers increase the awareness of their products and increase their sales by more than 7,000,000 FCFA [11,500 USD] in 2021. Several households, restaurants, bakeries, and others were able to order and have quality agri-food products delivered to them at fair prices,” Novalie said in 2022. 

To ensure swift fulfillment, Aliments Bénin also operates a delivery service. Once orders are placed, the platform takes charge, dispatching goods to customers across multiple communes within the country. The solution has earned DigitAll Farmer several recognitions, including the Encouragement Award (XOF5 million) at the 2021 Tremplin Startup UEMOA competition. Additionally, in November 2022, the platform secured third place in the inaugural Moov Africa Startup Challenge, earning an XOF1 million check and in-kind prize worth XOF540,000.

Adoni Conrad Quenum