In West Africa’s Benin, Women Transform Centuries-Old Salt Production with Solar-Powered Project

Women in rural Benin are adopting solar-powered salt production methods through the ProSEL Benin initiative, a collaboration between the Benin government, IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa), and the UNDP, to reduce environmental harm and improve health outcomes, according to official records and local reports.

How the ProSEL Benin Project Aims to Modernize Salt Production

The ProSEL Benin project, launched in 2021 with a $1 million grant from the IBSA Poverty and Hunger Alleviation Fund, replaces traditional salt-making methods that rely on burning mangrove wood with solar evaporation techniques. This shift addresses health risks for women and reduces deforestation, as the project estimates 20,000 cubic meters of mangrove wood are cut annually for salt production, according to the UNDP.

“The traditional method is labor-intensive and harmful to health,” said Robina Marks, former South African ambassador to Benin and Togo, who worked on the project. “The new system uses solar energy, making it cleaner and more sustainable.”

Challenges in Transitioning from Traditional Methods

Despite the benefits, transitioning from centuries-old practices has been complex. Salt-making in Benin’s coastal regions, particularly among the Xwla ethnic group, is deeply rooted in cultural rituals. For example, women sprinkle salt on the ground before setting up market stalls, believing it wards off “bad spirits,” as noted by local project director Luc Obale.

“The old method is their ancestral way of producing salt, so it has significance,” Obale said. “Some women fear changing it may have negative implications.”

Economic and Environmental Impact of the Project

The project targets five coastal areas, including Ouidah, where traditional salt production is seen as superior due to cultural beliefs. However, the rainy season—April to August—floods marshes, halting production for months, according to Aoualé Mohamed Abchir, former UNDP resident representative in Benin.

“Using seawater to make salt is less painful and allows year-round production,” Abchir said. “Women now save six hours of labor daily, and the salt is cleaner, fortified with iodine, and sold at a higher price.”

Market Expansion and Cultural Recognition

Benin’s food safety agency, ABSSA, certified the solar-produced salt for public consumption in December 2025, enabling it to be sold under the “Xwlajè” label, which highlights its cultural origin. The salt is now available in seven supermarket chains across Cotonou and is being considered for sale at Cotonou International Airport, according to Obale.

“The goal is to create a sustainable income for women while preserving cultural heritage,” said Mireille Adjovi, a ProSEL worker who uses her earnings to support her family. “This project gives us independence.”

Broader Implications for Sustainable Development

The ProSEL Benin project aligns with three UN Sustainable Development Goals: gender equality, decent work, and responsible consumption. It also supports Benin’s tourism strategy, which highlights Indigenous practices, as the solar salt production site is located near traditional methods for visitor education, according to Obale.

“The local team prioritized understanding community needs to build trust,” Abchir said. “Without this, the project would not have succeeded.”