While we often talk about people leaving for Canada, the United States or Europe, we tend to forget that many countries in West Africa, and indeed across the continent, also rely on the expertise of their citizens. In some countries in the region, these workers are highly valued and make a significant contribution to various sectors. In Porto-Novo, the political capital of Benin, construction artisans enjoy an excellent reputation. Their expertise is recognised well beyond the country’s borders, particularly in neighbouring countries.

On 1 July 2025, Dialogue Migration met Cyprien Ahouanmènou in the heart of Porto-Novo’s Ouando district. He is a carpenter in his late-thirties. After a few strokes of the plane and hammer, he opened up to us. He was making display units for a shop, an order to be completed and delivered. “I’d also like to go to Nigeria and work on building sites, but I haven’t found anyone reliable to take me there yet,” he said. He subsequently learns that his apprentices have gone ahead to work on a site in the city.

“I don’t want to have to wander around there. But if I’m asked to take part in a major construction project, I’ll go,” he says.

Ahouanmènou uses the nearby construction site as an example of the situation that is driving skilled workers from his area to seek employment elsewhere. “As you can see, the colour of this metal gate is slightly different to that of the one over there,” he explains. “The site owner was only supposed to hire one person to make all three gates, but with different workers coming and going, two people ended up with the contract. Normally, one person should be able to manage a project like this.” He adds that a third worker would occasionally show up to finish the job. For Ahouanmènou, this fragmented approach is a clear sign that skilled workers are increasingly seeking better and more stable opportunities elsewhere.

“The workmen travel to various countries in the sub-region, such as Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire,” says Bienvenu Bankolé, manager of a busy shopping centre located in a residential neighbourhood. “Nigeria used to be in high demand, but with the fall of the naira currency, Côte d’Ivoire and Niger are now attracting more of these workers. Those countries have infrastructure projects underway, and more and more workers are heading there to take advantage of the opportunities they offer,” he adds.

From his and others’ explanations, it is clear that skilled workers are leaving the country.

“These are skilled workers who are leaving. They don’t receive training there — they’re trained here. You don’t go there to learn. You have to be competent; otherwise, you risk being shamed for your lack of skills on the construction site. You have to prove yourself and demonstrate your abilities,” says Bankolé.

Dialogue Migration spotted him at a construction site on the outskirts of the city while he was laying the eleventh row of bricks. As soon as the topic came up, a colleague at the base of the building mentioned his name.

“You should speak with Désiré. He travels all over the world for work, to places like Niger, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire. They’re internationals.”

Logic of skilled workers

Is the reasoning behind skilled workers’ decisions to emigrate specific to those leaving Africa for Canada, the United States or Europe? In certain parts of southern Benin, particularly the Ouémé and Plateau departments, skilled workers (artisans) have a different reputation.

A video shared on social media provides an example of this: a young stonemason visits a recording studio to release a single and shares his story. He introduces himself as being from Ifangni, a town in the Plateau department near the Nigerian border. He says that he is a recent graduate who travels to Nigeria to earn a living.

“Generally, they stay there for several years. However, some return home for the end-of-year holidays each year, before heading back again. They save up to fund personal projects, such as buying motorbikes or land, or building houses. Once they are abroad, they are able to save money for these goals. Being far from home frees them from certain everyday obligations, although they still support their families from time to time,” he explains.

Skilled workers from certain regions of Benin have an excellent reputation in countries across the sub-region. According to those interviewed, some have even settled permanently in countries such as Gabon, Congo or Nigeria, where they have lived for decades.