Benin
At a glance
- Official language
- French
- Currency
- West African CFA franc (XOF)
- Government
- Republic
- Legislature
- National Assembly
- Demonym
- Beninese
- Time zone
- UTC+01:00
- Driving side
- Right
- Calling code
- +229
- Internet TLD
- .bj
- ISO 3166
- BJ
- Established
- 1960
- Highest point
- Mont Sokbaro (658 m (2,159 ft))
- National anthem
- L'Aube Nouvelle
Facts via Wikidata.
Economy and developmentLower middle income
Ranks are among sovereign countries with data; ★ marks a top-5% finish. Sources: World Bank Open Data and Our World in Data (UNDP, UN, V-Dem; CC BY 4.0). Each figure is the most recent year available.
Alliances & Organisations2 full memberships
Full memberDashed border = Candidate / ApplicantItalic = Dialogue / Observer
Leadership History17 leaders · click to expand
Romuald Wadagni✦ Current
2026–PresentPresident
Patrice Talon
2016–2026President
Thomas Boni Yayi
2006–2016President
Mathieu Kérékou
1996–2006President
Nicéphore Soglo
1991–1996President
Mathieu Kérékou
1972–1991President
Justin Ahomadégbé-Tomêtin
1972–1972President
Hubert Maga
1970–1972President
Paul-Émile de Souza
1969–1970President
Émile Derlin Zinsou
1968–1969President
Alphonse Alley
1967–1968President
Christophe Soglo
1965–1967President
Tahirou Congacou
1965–1965President
Justin Ahomadégbé-Tomêtin
1965–1965President
Sourou-Migan Apithy
1964–1965President
Christophe Soglo
1963–1964President
Hubert Maga
1960–1963President
| Name | Role | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Romuald Wadagni✦ Current | President | 2026–Present |
| Patrice Talon | President | 2016–2026 |
| Thomas Boni Yayi | President | 2006–2016 |
| Mathieu Kérékou | President | 1996–2006 |
| Nicéphore Soglo | President | 1991–1996 |
| Mathieu Kérékou | President | 1972–1991 |
| Justin Ahomadégbé-Tomêtin | President | 1972–1972 |
| Hubert Maga | President | 1970–1972 |
| Paul-Émile de Souza | President | 1969–1970 |
| Émile Derlin Zinsou | President | 1968–1969 |
| Alphonse Alley | President | 1967–1968 |
| Christophe Soglo | President | 1965–1967 |
| Tahirou Congacou | President | 1965–1965 |
| Justin Ahomadégbé-Tomêtin | President | 1965–1965 |
| Sourou-Migan Apithy | President | 1964–1965 |
| Christophe Soglo | President | 1963–1964 |
| Hubert Maga | President | 1960–1963 |
Power over timeThe Power Atlas →
The powerline is the headline share of world power, running from the state’s first ranked year (benchmark estimates with wide error bars before 1816). Latent power is material mass a state could mobilise (population, manpower, heavy industry). Recognised power is what the system actually treats it as (military spending, productive economy, reach, and status such as a Security Council seat or nuclear arsenal). When latent runs above recognised, a power is rising or under-rated; when recognised runs higher, it is punching above its weight or coasting on prestige. Material sub-indices run 1816 through 2016.
National Teams
Benin on the international stage. Click a card for the full record.
Benin metro footprint
5 metrosPolygons shaded by composite tier. Hover for rank, click to open the metro page. Boundaries derived from Overture Maps administrative divisions; metros without source coverage are omitted.
5 tracked metros
| Rank | Metro | State | Population | Score | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1534 | Cotonou▲ Largest | Littoral | 1.6M | 0.8 | Local Metro |
| #2937 | Porto-Novo★ Capital | Ouémé | 564K | 0.2 | Local Metro |
| #3129 | Djougou | Donga | 268K | 0.1 | Local Metro |
| #3138 | Bohicon | Zou | 264K | 0.1 | Local Metro |
| #3148 | Parakou | Borgou | 255K | 0.1 | Local Metro |