The conference was co-organized by LASDEL (Laboratory for Studies and Research on Social Dynamics and Local Development, Niger and Benin) and LADYD (Laboratory for the Analysis of Development Dynamics, Faculty of Agronomy of the University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin), in partnership with the University of Abomey-Calavi. More than 120 papers were presented during the conference. The conference took place from November 17 to 20, 2015 at the university and at the Hôtel du Lac in Cotonou.