The Lion King | 17
changed to its present name in 1975.
The political capital of Benin is Porto-
Novo, while Cotonou is the economic
capital, and one of the key trade
centres in West Africa. Benin has been
a democratic country since 1989 and
seen the emergence of 13 democrat-
ically elected presidents including
current President Yayi Boni.
Economy
Benin is a country that essentially lives
on its ports and agriculture. The country
provides a strategic gateway to a vast
Francophone and Anglophone market
of about 200 million consumers.
Its open port on the Gulf of Guinea
provides sea access to the three
landlocked West African countries of
Ganvie Lake Village
stands on stilts in
the middle of Lake
Nokoue. About
500 years ago, the
founders of the
village fled there to
avoid Fon warriors.
Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali.
The country supports revenues from
its open port with agricultural activ-
ities. Major agricultural outputs from
Benin include; cotton, maize, cassava,
sorghum, oil palm and millet. Its
geographical proximity and linguis-
tic affinity to Nigeria enhances its
economic prospects.
Areas of economic growth
Benin has a large untapped potential
in several economic sectors including;
agro-industry, tourism, mining, energy
and hydrocarbons.
In the agricultural sector, the Benin
government is promoting Cotton culti-
vation and export. In the service sector,
telecommunications is thriving and
attracting a lot of investment into the
country with the presence of 4 private
national and international operators.
The banking and energy sectors are
also emerging as thriving sectors in
Benin Republic with the entry of new
financial institutions, creating a more
competitive market, more funding
opportunities for businesses and the
capacity to fund bigger infrastructure
projects.
Languages
All the ethnic groups in Benin Repub-
lic have their own language, though
Gate of no Return
is
a monument located
in Ouidah, South of
Benin, from where
slaves were traded
by the Portuguese,
French and English.
B
enin Republic is described as a
land of peace, water and cultural
diversity. It covers a surface area
of 112,620 km2 from River Niger in the
North to the Atlantic Ocean in the
South. The country’s population was put
at 9, 877, 292 in 2013.
Benin is a member of the Economic
Community of West African States
(ECOWAS), and shares borders with
Togo in the West, Nigeria in the East,
and Niger and Burkina Faso in the
North. The country’s strategic position
means it serves as a trade corridor for
other West African countries.
Benin Republic, then called the
Republic of Dahomey, gained full
independence on 1st August 1960 and
Photo: flickr/jbdodane
