Recently, a batch of 10-meter polygonal distribution steel poles manufactured by Milky Way Steel Poles has completed production and inspection, and been shipped to Benin. The delivered pole type matches the main distribution pole specification of the World Bank-funded Benin Electricity Access Scale-up (BEAS) Project. It brings Chinese manufacturing strength to West-African distribution network upgrading and deepens economic and trade cooperation between China and Benin in power infrastructure.
    Officials from Benin’s Ministry of Energy have attended power-connection ceremonies for districts under the BEAS Project. Launched in 2021, the project has a total investment of approximately 183 million US dollars. It plans to build 1 600 km of medium-voltage lines and 4 000 km of low-voltage lines. So far, it has connected 144 000 households to the national grid across the country, covering numerous rural settlements. The project fills gaps in Benin’s medium- and low-voltage distribution network, improves power access for residents, and boosts development of local education, medical services and small-and-micro businesses. It serves as a core livelihood initiative for Benin to achieve its universal electricity access target by 2030.
    Benin features diverse geographical conditions: high-salinity coastal zones along the Gulf of Guinea in the south, tropical savannas in central areas, and arid wind-erosion zones in the north. The locally dominant specification is 10-meter octagonal polygonal steel poles with 200-300 daN bending-moment rating, which is highly consistent with Milky Way’s supplied products. The poles fit Benin’s mainstream 15-33 kV distribution voltage. General-purpose poles adopt Q235B / Q355B steel with slip-joint and flange-based CKD split structures. Customized solutions are provided for different working conditions: design wind speed of 25-28 m/s for inland savanna regions; wind speed upgraded to 31-33 m/s for salt-spray coastal areas such as Cotonou with enhanced corrosion allowance. Reinforced high-moment special poles are applied for angle and terminal positions.
    Products comply with IEC-60826 and ISO-1461 international standards. Production processes include laser cutting, polygonal bending and submerged-arc welding with non-destructive testing. Hot-dip galvanizing coating reaches minimum 85 μm for inland applications and 90-100 μm for high-corrosion coastal zones. All fasteners are grade 8.8 hot-dip galvanized high-strength bolts. Earthing and cross-arm mounting holes are pre-fabricated in factory. Steel stamp markings are applied on each pole with French-language labels, adapting to Benin’s hot-humid climate, strong UV radiation and frequent thunderstorms.
    Shipping and customs clearance follow full export requirements for Benin. Poles are packed as CKD split components inside containers. Spacers are installed between pole sections to prevent galvanizing-layer damage caused by sea-transport friction. Wooden packages carry valid IPPC-ISPM15 fumigation marks. Goods are shipped from domestic ports to Cotonou Main Port, Benin, then transported overland to project sites nationwide after customs clearance. Before shipment, DCI conformity declaration under     Benin’s ABENOR system and ECTN electronic cargo tracking note are completed. Full documentation including material certificates, galvanizing test reports, welding NDT reports, commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and French-language technical documents are prepared to avoid detention, fines and demurrage at destination port and ensure smooth customs release.
The BEAS electricity access scale-up project is a benchmark rural electrification programme in Benin. The 10-meter polygonal steel poles supplied by Milky Way Steel Poles are mass-adopted main equipment for this project, balancing structural performance, on-site installation convenience and local regulatory compliance. Going forward, Milky Way Steel Poles will further explore West-African overseas markets and deliver customized power-transmission hardware to support Benin’s progress toward universal electricity access.

To date, our products have been exported to more than 100 countries and regions as listed below:
Africa: Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Niger, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Guinea, Benin, Togo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mauritania, Gambia, Guinea‑Bissau, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Burundi, Djibouti, Seychelles.
Asia: Mongolia, Republic of Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Timor‑Leste, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Israel, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Türkiye.
America: Canada, United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Cuba, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand.
Europe: Sweden, United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus.