Benin's Young Entrepreneurs: Making a Living at the Tabaski Market

Cotonou's Vossa Market: Young Entrepreneurs Find Success Amidst Tabaski Preparations In Cotonou, Benin, the Vossa livestock market buzzes with activity in the days leading up to the Tabaski festival. While many focus on the sheep themselves, a smaller, yet equally important story unfolds: the entrepreneurial spirit of young boys who find economic opportunity amidst the chaos. These boys, some as young as twelve, offer services such as tying up and guiding sheep for customers, earning a small but significant income. "We wash the sheep, and if the customers buy them, we help tie them up," explains Nafissou, a 14-year-old who considers himself the leader of a small team. "If we finish early, we can go to their houses and they give us a little something extra." The boys charge between 200 and 500 CFA francs per task, a sum that can quickly add up over a day's work. Their work highlights the resourcefulness of young people in finding ways to participate in the economic activity of the festival. It also shows the informal economy at play in Benin, where opportunities often arise outside of traditional structures. The earnings, while modest, allow these young entrepreneurs to celebrate Tabaski in their own way, purchasing new clothes and shoes. The scene at Vossa market is a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of young people in Benin, proving that even small-scale ventures can make a big difference in their lives.