(WIPO code: BJ) (latest review October 2023)

by CABINET ISIS CONSEILS, Mandataire OAPI, Yaoundé, Cameroon

General Information

Area

112,620 sq. km

Population

14,219,908 (2023).

Capital

Porto-Novo.

Official language

French.

Currency

C.F.A. franc.

Main agricultural and natural products

Cotton, manioc, Indian potatoes, cocoa, palm products, grain, groundnuts, forestry.

Main Mineral Products

Petroleum, gold, phosphate, marble, iron.

Main exports

Cotton, petroleum, cocoa.

Tourist Industry

Lake of “Ganvié”; natural reserves.

GNI

(per capita): U.S.$ 1,400 (estimated 2022).

General Remarks

A former French colony, part of French West Africa, Benin obtained its internal administrative autonomy and became a member of the French Community in 1958 and later achieved its complete independence on August 1, 1960.

The country’s economy is mainly based on agriculture (approximately 60%).