Benin Flag

The flag of Benin consists of a horizontal red and yellow band on the right-hand side and a vertical green band on the mast side. This flag was originally adopted on 16 November 1959 to replace the flag of France when the country was known as the Republic of Dahomey. After a new regime has taken power in 1975 the country was known as the People's Republic of Benin and used a different flag until 1990 when this version was re-adopted.

The flag of the People's Republic of Benin consists of the Pan-African colours associated with independence in many nations of the continent. Red is often associated with the blood that has been spilt in order to achieve an independent and free African nation, this is seen in the flags of Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, and many more. Furthermore, the yellow is a symbol of the savannas in the northern part of the country and the green is symbolic of the palm groves in the south. The symbolism of this flag is also explained in the national anthem.

The original design is meant to reflect solidarity with other African nations who had gained independence around the same time. The colours are also important cultural, religious, and regional symbols in Benin which is why this design was selected. The same colours are featured on the flag of Ethiopia which is the oldest independent nation in Africa.

As Benin was previously a French colony, the flag of France was flown from 1892-1959 across the region. One year before full independence in 1960, the current flag was officially adopted. From 1975 until 1990 a Marxist government took power and renamed the country the People's Republic of Benin. The flag that was used during this time consisted of an army green field with a red, five-pointed star in the top left-hand corner.

This page was last modified on May 1st, 2018

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Published on 2019-11-06


Capital	Porto-Novo
Languages	French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)
Ethnic Groups	Fon and related 38.4%, Adja and related 15.1%, Yoruba and related 12%, Bariba and related 9.6%, Fulani and related 8.6%, Ottamari and related 6.1%, Yoa-Lokpa and related 4.3%, Dendi and related 2.9%, other 0.9%, foreigner 1.9% (2013 est.)
Religion	Muslim 27.7%, Catholic 25.5%, Protestant 13.5% (Celestial 6.7%, Methodist 3.4%, other Protestant 3.4%), Vodoun 11.6%, other Christian 9.5%, other traditional religions 2.6%, other 2.6%, none 5.8% (2013 est.)
Government	Presidential republic
Independance	1 August 1960 (from France)
Area	112,622.00 km²
Water Area	2,000.00 km²
Land Area	110,622.00 km²
Population	10,741,458.00
Location	Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo
No. Bordering Countries	4
Bordering Countries	Burkina Faso 386 km, Niger 277 km, Nigeria 809 km, Togo 651 km
GDP(PPP)	$24,310,000,000.00 (USD)
GDP (Per Capita)	$2,200.00 (USD)
Export Partners	Its major export partners are India, Gabon, and China.
Export Commodities	Its main exports are cotton, cashews, and shea butter.
Import Partners	Its major import partners are China, the United States, and India.
Import Commodities	Its major imports include foodstuffs, capital goods, and petroleum products.
Climate	Tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
Terrain	Mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains
Learn More	Benin

Benin Flag

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