By Oluyinka Onigbinde
Fresh concerns are mounting within the West African trading community following allegations that only one company has allegedly been granted authorization to import rice into the Republic of Benin, a situation stakeholders say is negatively affecting businesses and fair competition across the region.
According to information obtained by our correspondent, the company at the centre of the controversy is reportedly “Rice Champion Corporation” allegedly linked to businessman Manoj Khiyani.
In a chat with our correspondent, an importer who only identified himself as “Mr Sharma” claimed that the alleged exclusive import arrangement has created serious difficulties for traders and importers who depend on the Benin corridor for commercial operations, particularly within the rice trade.
“Many traders are suffering because access to import permits is allegedly being restricted to a single company.
This is affecting competition and creating major business challenges for operators who have invested heavily in the sector over the years,” the source alleged.
The development, according to stakeholders, is already generating anxiety among regional importers, freight operators, clearing agents and other players in the supply chain who fear that such an arrangement could distort market prices and weaken open trade within the sub-region.
Industry observers note that Benin Republic has traditionally remained a major transit and commercial hub for rice distribution across West Africa, making any perceived restriction in import participation a sensitive economic issue with regional implications.
Some traders who spoke on condition of anonymity warned that monopolistic practices in essential commodities such as rice could negatively impact smaller businesses and reduce opportunities for independent importers operating across neighbouring countries.
They further argued that a competitive and transparent import licensing process is essential for maintaining stability in the regional food supply chain and sustaining confidence among investors and trading partners.
However, as of the time of filing this report, there has been no official confirmation from the government of Benin Republic or its relevant trade authorities regarding claims that only one company has been granted rice import permits.
Efforts to obtain comments from representatives of Rice Champion Corporation and businessman Manoj Khiyani were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
Stakeholders are now calling on authorities in Benin Republic to provide clarity on the country’s rice import licensing framework and ensure that trade policies remain open, transparent and beneficial to the wider business community across West Africa.
The allegations have continued to spark discussions among operators in the maritime, logistics and import sectors, many of whom insist that maintaining a level playing field is critical to economic growth and regional trade integration.
