Benin Government

The political system of Benin takes place in a presidential representative democratic republic. The President of Benin is the head of government as well as the head of state. The current system is outlined in the 1990 Constitution of Benin before the transition to democracy in 1991. This constitution reformed the political and economic system of the country after the collapse of the Soviet Union which had influenced and funded the Marxist government from 1975-1990. Executive power in Benin is held and exercised by the government and legislative power is vested in the government and the national legislature.

Elections in Benin for the presidency usually take place every six years but the next election is scheduled for 2012, 5 years after the last election in March of 2016. All 83 seats in the National Assembly are elected by the people of Benin every five years. These seats are divided among 24 multi-member electorates or constituencies. Voters must be 18 years of age and candidates for the government of Benin must be at least 25 years old.

The legislature of Benin is known as the National Assembly and is located in the capital city of Porto-Novo which is in the southern part of the nation. This parliament was first founded in 1959 and prior to this time, citizens of Benin took part in heavily controlled elections to vote a representative to the French National Assembly. The National Assembly has pledged to combat corruption, illiteracy, and lack of transparency in many sectors in Benin.

Benin has a multi-party system with multiple political parties. The most popular parliamentary parties include the Union for Future Benin, the Impulse to Progress and Democracy, and the Alliance of Progress Forces.

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 Government

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