World Factbook
Benin
République du Benin
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) to the right, with a vertical green band on the left side meaning: green stands for hope and revival, yellow for wealth, and red for courage history: uses the colors of the Pan-African movement
Capital
name
Porto-Novo (constitutional capital); Cotonou (seat of government)
etymology
the name Porto-Novo is Portuguese for "new port"; Cotonou means "mouth of the river of death" in the native Fon language
time difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
6 29 N, 2 37 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Benin
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
10 years
Constitution
history
previous 1946, 1958 (pre-independence); latest adopted by referendum 2 December 1990, promulgated 11 December 1990
amendment process
proposed concurrently by the president of the republic (after a decision in the Council of Ministers) and the National Assembly; consideration of drafts or proposals requires at least three-fourths majority vote of the Assembly membership; passage requires approval in a referendum unless approved by at least four-fifths majority vote of the Assembly membership; constitutional articles affecting territorial sovereignty, the republican form of government, and secularity of Benin cannot be amended
Country name
former
Dahomey, People's Republic of Benin
etymology
the current name comes from a local ethnic group, the Bini, whose name may be related to the Arabic word bani , meaning "sons;" the former name, Dahomey, comes from a previous kingdom in the area called Dan Homé
local long form
République du Benin
local short form
Benin
conventional long form
Republic of Benin
conventional short form
Benin
Independence
1 August 1960 (from France)
Legal system
civil law system modeled largely on the French system and some customary law
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
note
note: jurisdiction of the High Court of Justice is limited to cases of high treason by the national president or members of the government while in office
highest court(s)
Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of the chief justice and 16 justices organized into an administrative division, judicial chamber, and chamber of accounts); Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle (consists of 7 members, including the court president); High Court of Justice (consists of the Constitutional Court members, 6 members appointed by the National Assembly, and the Supreme Court president)
subordinate courts
Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Court for the Repression of Economic and Terrorism Infractions (CRIET) or Cour de Répression des Infractions Economiques et du Terrorisme; district courts; village courts; Assize courts
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court president and judges appointed by the president of the republic on the advice of the National Assembly; judges appointed for single renewable 5-year terms; Constitutional Court members - 4 appointed by the National Assembly and 3 by the president of the republic; members appointed for single renewable 5-year terms; other members of the High Court of Justice elected by the National Assembly; member tenure NA
Executive branch
note
note: the president is both head of state and head of government
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the president
chief of state
President Patrice TALON (since 6 April 2016)
election results
2021: Patrice TALON reelected president in the ; percent of vote - Patrice TALON (independent) 86.3%, Alassane SOUMANOU (FCBE) 11.4%, Corentin KOHOUE (The Democrats) 2.3% 2016: Patrice TALON elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Lionel ZINSOU (FCBE) 28.4%, Patrice TALON (independent) 24.8%, Sebastien AJAVON (independent) 23%, Abdoulaye Bio TCHANE (ABT) 8.8%, Pascal KOUPAKI (NC) 5.9%, other 9.1%; percent of vote in second round - Patrice TALON 65.4%, Lionel ZINSOU 34.6%
head of government
President Patrice TALON (since 6 April 2016)
most recent election date
11 April 2021
election/appointment process
president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term)
expected date of next election
12 April 2026
National holiday
Independence Day, 1 August (1960)
National color(s)
green, yellow, red
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
3 (2 cultural, 1 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Royal Palaces of Abomey (c); W-Arly-Pendjari Complex (n); Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba (c)
Political parties
African Movement for Development and Progress or MADEP Benin Renaissance or RB Cowrie Force for an Emerging Benin or FCBE Democratic Renewal Party or PRD Progressive Union for Renewal Republican Bloc Sun Alliance or AS The Democrats Union Makes the Nation or UN (includes PRD, MADEP)
note: approximately 20 additional minor parties
Legislative branch
note
note: seat total includes 24 seats reserved for women
term in office
4 years
number of seats
109 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
National Assembly (Assemblée nationale)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
1/8/2023
expected date of next election
January 2026
percentage of women in chamber
26.6%
parties elected and seats per party
Progressive Union for Renewal (53); Republican Block (BR) (28); Democrats (28)
National anthem(s)
title
"L'Aube Nouvelle" (The Dawn of a New Day)
history
adopted 1960
lyrics/music
Gilbert Jean DAGNON
National symbol(s)
leopard
Administrative divisions
12 departments; Alibori, Atacora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Couffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 265-1996
chancery
2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 232-6656
chief of mission
Ambassador Agniola AHOUANMENOU (since 24 July 2025)
email address and website
ambassade.washington@gouv.bj https://beninembassy.us/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[229] 21-30-03-84
embassy
01BP 2012, Cotonou
telephone
[229] 21-36-75-00
mailing address
2120 Cotonou Place, Washington DC 20521-2120
chief of mission
Ambassador Brian SHUKAN (since 5 May 2022)
email address and website
ACSCotonou@state.gov https://bj.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AU, CD, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MNJTF, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction