PIGIER Entrepreneurship Challenge 2026: six young talents awarded for their innovative projects in service of the development of Benin.

The grand finale of the second edition of the PIGIER Entrepreneurship Challenge (PECH) took place in a festive atmosphere on July 10, 2026, at the Noahgarden hotel in Cotonou. Centered around the theme “ Innovate today to impact tomorrow “, this competition initiated by PIGIER Benin aims to foster a new generation of entrepreneurs capable of turning their ideas into concrete solutions to address the economic and social challenges of the country.

Over several months, nearly 200 applications were recorded. After various selection phases, training sessions, practical workshops, and entrepreneurial support, 12 projects secured their spots in the grand finale. Following the jury’s deliberations, six initiatives were awarded.

GOGAZ wins the first prize

The top spot went to Amoussou Rostique, a student in Restaurant Management, co-author of the GOGAZ project. He leaves with the first prize of this edition, accompanied by a cash prize of 1.5 million CFA francs. His project proposes a digital platform intended to modernize the distribution of domestic gas in Benin. The goal is to connect licensed distributors, consumers, and delivery services to simplify access to the product.

Thanks to this solution, users can identify available sales points, order gas, track their delivery, and make payments online. Very emotional after his victory, the young entrepreneur expressed his gratitude to all those who supported him in this adventure. “ I thank God, I thank my parents, PIGIER Benin, and all my mentors who helped us make it this far “, he stated.

Canaan and Clinika complete the podium

The second place went to Ayivi Josué, a student in Entrepreneurship and Project Management, with his initiative CANAAN. Awarded a prize of 1.2 million CFA francs, his project aims to contribute to the development of the poultry sector in Benin by reducing dependence on imports of poultry products. Already engaged in farming, the promoter intends to use this financial support to strengthen his production capacity and continue expanding his business.

The third spot on the podium is held by Nowe Dachirel and Novatohi Sossi Rénée, students in Networks, Mobility, and IT Security, with their project Clinika. This digital health platform aims to improve the management of healthcare facilities through the centralization of patient data, automated appointment management, and inventory tracking for medications. Following this distinction, the team plans an incubation phase to refine the solution before its deployment.

The three other distinguished projects are:

• Helicibio, led by Bossu Priscillia, ranked fourth;
• My Timer, developed by Armante Atoboga, finished fifth;
• Ochilet Fanya, the sixth laureate of this edition.

“Training creators, innovators, and builders of enterprises”

In his speech, the franchise director of PIGIER Benin, Vihotogbé Victor Assogba, recalled the primary ambition of the PECH: to evolve the perception of higher education by placing greater emphasis on entrepreneurship. “ When we imagined the PECH, our ambition was simple, yet deeply meaningful: to make PIGIER Benin an institution that not only trains graduates seeking employment but also creators, innovators, builders of enterprises, and agents of economic development in our country “, he explained.

For the academic leader, entrepreneurship must go beyond being just a subject taught; it needs to become a genuine culture. “ Beyond technical skills, our youth must develop an initiative spirit, creativity, the courage to dare, and the ability to create value ,” he insisted. Addressing the finalists, he also highlighted the relativity of the final ranking. “Regardless of the outcome of this evening, you have already won an essential victory: the victory of having dared to undertake,” he stated. According to him, this competition represents a step in a broader journey of supporting young idea bearers. “ Tonight’s finale does not mark the end of your entrepreneurial journey. It is merely the beginning,” he added.

The ministry praises an initiative that prepares the future

Present at the ceremony, the Director General of Higher Education, Issaka Abdou Karim Youssao, applauded the efforts of PIGIER Benin and the importance of developing an entrepreneurial spirit from the early years of education. Reflecting on the evolution of the job market, he explained that economic realities now require a new approach. “ We, people of my generation, were trained to become civil servants. In our time, that was the natural path. But since the 1980s, the public service has started to become saturated. Hence, we had to rethink our model and promote another vision: that of entrepreneurship “, he recalled.

The official from the Ministry of Higher Education particularly appreciated the integration of this entrepreneurial culture into the academic journey of students. “ We cannot wait until the end of their studies to ask them to create a business. This culture must be developed from the early years of education “, he supported. Before sending a message of encouragement to the students: “ You have a future. Keep working hard to become, tomorrow, creators of wealth and jobs, rather than mere job seekers “.

A competition that has become an entrepreneurial event

For the Director of Studies at PIGIER Benin, Arsène Vigan, this second edition confirms the growing interest of students in entrepreneurship. He recalled the demanding journey of the candidates, from the official launch of the competition on December 1, 2025, to the finale. “ Since December, their journey has not been easy. They have worked tirelessly, despite classes, exams, and numerous academic constraints. They chose to believe in their dreams and fully embrace the entrepreneurial adventure “, he emphasized.

According to him, the true success of the PECH does not lie solely in financial rewards but in the transformation of the participants. “ Beyond the figures and rewards, the true success of this project lies especially in the transformation of these youths “, he stated. With this second edition, PIGIER Benin intends to permanently include the PECH in its annual calendar to foster projects capable of contributing to job creation and the economic development of Benin.