The 'Mois du Consommons local' initiative is serving as a platform to promote the consumption of local literature within Bénin. Prudentienne Gbaguidi Houngnibo, who serves as the president and founder of the Association des libraires professionnels du Bénin and as the vice-president of the Association internationale des libraires francophones (AILF), is leading the effort to shift public perception regarding domestic products. As the head of the Association des libraires professionnels du Bénin, Prudentienne Gbaguidi Houngnibo is spearheading the integration of books and written works into the national dialogue on consumption. In her capacity as the vice-president of the Association internationale des libraires francophones (AILF), she brings an international perspective to the domestic campaign. The 'Mois du Consommons local' initiative is being used to encourage the consumption of local literature in Benin, broadening the scope of what citizens define as a local product.
Prudentienne Gbaguidi Houngnibo stated, "Le plus souvent, quand on parle d’un mois de consommation locale, on voit sur des stands tout ce qui est lié à l’alimentation, aux artistes et autres. Non, le Consommons local, c’est aussi dans la littérature." She emphasized that the scope of the initiative extends beyond traditional sectors like clothing or food items, noting, "Ne pensez pas seulement aux habits, ne pensez pas seulement à la nourriture. […] Tout ce qui est fait au Bénin, tout ce qui est fait dans notre pays, sur notre terroir, c’est ça qui est Consommons local."
The initiative seeks to connect readers with cultural heritage through written works. Regarding the value of these local publications, Prudentienne Gbaguidi Houngnibo explained, "C’est un auteur qui a écrit, qui s’est rappelé, qui a essayé de rappeler à la jeune génération les contes de nos grand-mères." By integrating literature into the broader campaign, the Association des libraires professionnels du Bénin aims to ensure that domestic writing receives visibility alongside other local industries.
The focus remains on the tangible benefits of reading materials produced within the national borders. Prudentienne Gbaguidi Houngnibo continues to advocate for a holistic view of the economy where intellectual and literary outputs are held in the same regard as tangible commodities. By leveraging her dual roles within the Association des libraires professionnels du Bénin and the Association internationale des libraires francophones (AILF), she works to build a sustainable ecosystem for writers and booksellers. The 'Mois du Consommons local' initiative serves as the primary mechanism for this outreach, ensuring that the message reaches a wide audience. Through the efforts of the Association des libraires professionnels du Bénin, the goal is to transform how the public interacts with local literature, fostering a deeper appreciation for the stories and knowledge preserved by Beninese authors. This commitment to local literature is part of a larger strategy to bolster the cultural identity of the nation through the promotion of domestic intellectual property.
