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2026-07-28 to 2026-08-02AZALAÏ HOTEL COTONOU (GANHI DISTRICT, COTONOU, BENIN)

FDC 2026: Forum Diaspora Connect in Cotonou

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Schedule

July 28, 2026
Job Dating
A strategic job-dating session organized in partnership with the French Embassy in Benin. Networking with the country's key organizations and fellow diaspora talents.
July 30, 2026
Culture and coming home
An exclusive art exhibition opening, followed by culture panels and a dedicated session on experiences of returning to live in Benin.
July 31, 2026
Business & Funding
Expert panels on the administrative groundwork and funding options for projects in Benin.
July 31, 2026
The Grand Gala
The closing gala for the business and culture days — a moment for networking and celebration.
August 2, 2026
Cultural excursion
A trip to Village Indigo, a tourism and cultural outing closing out the forum.

The Forum Diaspora Connect (FDC) 2026 is the annual gathering point for the Beninese diaspora in Cotonou. Driven by a young generation of Beninese organizers, the forum brings the diaspora together with local players across four days: professional networking, culture, business and funding, and a tourism outing.

Goals for this edition

  • 500+ participants, a targeted 40% growth over the 2025 edition.
  • 20 countries represented, strengthening the forum's pan-African reach.
  • 50 partnerships signed during the event.
  • A network of real connections and opportunities between the diaspora and Beninese stakeholders.

Why attend

FDC brings together diaspora members who want to reconnect with one another, meet thought leaders, help build a Benin that stays connected to its diaspora, share their projects and ambitions, find partners or funding in Benin, draw inspiration in a welcoming and inclusive setting, and be part of a movement that goes well beyond a single event.

The venue

The forum takes place at the Azalaï Hotel in Cotonou, in the Ganhi district — a central location that's easy to reach for participants coming from abroad as well as from within Benin.