Professional French Translation Services in Your Business
There are many businesses around the world that are using French translation services. Do you know that the benefits of French translation in Your Business is a great opportunity?
It’s estimated that there are a total of 300 million French-speaking people living in various countries around the world. Other than countries like France, Monaco, Brussels and Wallonia in Belgium, the Romandy region in Switzerland, the Canadian regions of Acadia and Quebec where French is used as a first language, there are also other countries like Algeria, Gabon, Benin, Djibouti, Madagascar, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, Togo, and Central African Republic where French is used is used as an official language.
The United Nations uses French as an official language. With such a big market of French-speaking people, it’s a great opportunity for businesses to increase their sales.
Many companies in the world think that English is the language of the web and they don’t see the tremendous potential of making their products and services to people who speak other languages such as French.
Plus, they don’t have the necessary language skills or tools to expand into these markets so there are lots of untapped markets so various products and services. French translation services are essential if your company wants to break into another country where French is the primary language.
If you want to set up an office in France or Quebec in Canada, you need to use services of French translation for Your Business to hire workers, select the best suppliers, build marketing channels, build distribution networks, and so on.
In the modern business climate, marketing and promotional tools are instrumental in the success of a company. Marketing and advertising campaigns can be the difference between success and failure. This is where French translation services come in. To reach the local markets on a deeper level, the advertising campaign should be catered to the consumers, taking into account their culture and history.
Some of the common advertising tools include catalogues, brochures, TV ads, newspaper ads, radio ads, online ads, and so on. Many successful companies make the mistake in assuming that what works in their country will work in a foreign country but in many cases, the opposite is true.
Benefits of Professional French Translation Service in Your Business
Our Professional French Translation Services will help you out in French Translation for Your Business? with a professional touch.
Benin Republic travel Guide and advice. Travel agencies in Benin Republic can help in organizing an effective journey to this country and save money on such things as visas, flight connections, hotel rooms, or other types of accommodation.
Benin Republic is a small West African country. One comes here to meet with the tribes, whose way of life remains almost as it was in the Stone Age. This is one of the few places on the planet, where one never celebrates birthdays, where no one reads newspapers. Instead, the people hold the magic rites of sacrifice, worship voodoo and believe in the existence of spirits. Such a lifestyle cannot but impress the modern man. It seems to be a return to the distant past.
In Benin Republic, it is easy to imagine what the earth was like in its original form, before the rapid development of mankind and the advent of progress.
The architectural landmarks of Benin are represented by historic cathedrals, botanical gardens, and numerous museums. Tourism began to develop in the country not so long ago, but the number of people wishing to get acquainted with the pristine nature of the country is constantly increasing.
The main natural attraction of Benin is the jungle. However, the tropical evergreen forests could not resist the onslaught of civilization. Most of them have been cut down, so the landscape of Benin is predominated by tall-grass savannah. The animals, however, are quite diverse and include elephants, antelopes, buffaloes, and panthers.
Porto-Novo is the nominal capital of the country, but the government and most businesses have moved to Cotonou. However, Porto-Novo, with its 180 thousand inhabitants, is a quite beautiful historic site. Its proximity to the Nigerian border offers certain advantages in trade. The famous Grand Marche d’Adjara is still functioning and you can buy tom-toms, fabrics, handmade baskets and the best in Benin pottery here.
The Ethnographic Museum of Porto Novo has a large collection of Yoruban religious objects. One can also admire the decorative style of the Brazilian Church, which is now a mosque. Covered with palm leaves, the fishing villages in the lagoon near Porto-Novo look very unnatural, as if being aliens from the past.
The largest city of the country is the port of Cotonou. First of all, tourists are attracted to the Cotonou National Museum and the Botanical Gardens. Cotonou offers a huge selection of local and international restaurants, as well as a lot of bars and nightclubs in the Zhonke area.
To the north of Cotonou lies the town of Ganve. Its 20 thousand people live in bamboo huts on stilts, scattered over several kilometers along Nokue Lake. The local buildings, restaurants, shops, and even a hotel are only 2 m above the water. The local residents object to being photographed, so it is recommended not to take pictures on the territory of Ganve.
The city of Abomey is the ancient capital of the kingdom of Dahomey. The main attraction of the city is the restored Royal Palace and the museum inside the palace. Most of the buildings, constructed in 1645, were destroyed by fire. The remaining houses are very beautiful and attract the attention of the visitors with the reverend age.
The interior of the Palace is decorated with unique bronze bas-reliefs, which have been declared by UNESCO as universal heritage objects. The museum has an extensive exhibit showing the ‘voodoo’ cult objects, encrusted skulls, the items of Portuguese colonization period, and traditional homes of local people. Photography is strictly prohibited here, too.
Several hundred kilometers to the north-west of Cotonou, on the border with Togo, there is the city of Bokumbe, widely known for its market, which is regarded as the best market in the country. Only here you can buy rare, authentic traditional folk sculpture and pipes made of precious wood. These items are the pride of local craftsmen.
Benin Republic travel Guide agencies are the rated and checked travel professionals who can organize a nice tour. Concerning Benin Republic travel Guide, tour operators are the companies who provide the actual travel service, such as hotel bookings, tour guides, transport, etc. fill the form below or contact us on +229 98130984
French-speaking countries
With French-speaking countries, French spans the entire globe with its language heard in all the continents. Roughly around 300 million people around the world speak French.
This number includes people who speak French as a native language, as a second language, and students of all ages who do not live in a francophone (French-speaking) country but have learned French.
In fact, French as a foreign language is the second most commonly taught language worldwide after English.
It is also the only foreign language that can be useful throughout the world as well as in the United States and other French Speaking countries. French comes in second after English on the list of the world’s 10 most influential languages. Proof of this is the pivotal role French holds.
It is one of the official working languages in French-Speaking countries and in dozens of powerful international organizations such as the European Union (EU), United Nations (UN), World Health Organisation (WHO), World Trade Organisation (WTO), and a host of other worldwide institutions.
The French language of today is a direct result of long periods of evolution. France, one of the French-Speaking countries, throughout its long history, had been invaded by different ethnic tribal groups. The most distinguished of these are the Franks. They adopted the Latin being spoken at that time.
Thus, the French language is a descendant of Latin. It is one of the Romance languages which include Catalan, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. They are called such because their parent tongue Latin was the language of the Romans. Over the years, the early French language has undergone changes in words and grammatical structures. It has evolved into today’s global French.
The French-speaking countries span the entire globe with their language in all the continents. Aside from English, French is the only language that people speak as a native or first language on 5 continents.
In Europe, French is the official language of France, Luxembourg, Monaco, Belgium, and Switzerland. France with a population of more than 60 million is one of the most modern countries in the world. It is one of the predominant leaders in the European Union.
French is a co-official language in Switzerland. This picturesque country is one of the world’s richest countries. It is the center of many international associations. Belgium, in the half past century, has emerged as a progressive European state. Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is home to the headquarters of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
In Africa, the French-speaking countries include Algeria, Burundi, Benin, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Comoros. Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Guinea, Madagascar, Morocco, Rwanda, Togo, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Tunisia, Mauritius, Reunion, and Seychelles.
In Australia and the Pacifics, Vanuatu and the overseas French territories French Polynesia, New Caledonia, and Wallis and Fortuna are French-speaking.
Among many other countries, French plays a significant role either as an administrative, commercial, or international language. Some of these countries are Andorra, Argentina, Brazil, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Egypt, Greece, India, Italy, Laos, Lebanon, Mauritania, Poland, Syria, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom (Channel Islands), United States particularly Louisiana and New England, the Vatican City and Vietnam. Clearly, they speak the French language everywhere.
Convinced now to learn global French? It is quite easy. Browse through this site’s French Language Program and master French in the best place – the comfort of your own home.
Leadpreneur Academy delivers a variety of quick language learning programs Campus and online courses check our Leadpreneur Academy Language course here
Benin International Arts Festival at Dakar
The year 2010 gave the city of Dakar the opportunity to host the largest arts festival of Africa. The event was held for thirty days starting from 7 May and ending on 7th June. Thirty-eight artists took part in this art competition from 16 countries. The next event will give space to represent 87 other artists from 27 countries.
It forced visitors as well as artists to take flights to Dakar this year. One thing very interesting about this event is that it takes place in even numbers years on a biennial schedule. A number of institutes as well as artists participating in this competition. It was started in the year 1992 and has now become the leading arts festival in the region.
Artists taken Dakar flights to participate in this show belonged to Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Congo, Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo Brazzaville, South Africa, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Benin International Arts Festival at Dakar: the Benin Republic cultural festivalIt is said that it was attended by almost 50,000 visitors that included both locals and flights to Dakar Although it included artwork from many artists but most popular ones out of them are; Jack Beng-Thi, Louis Cameron, Arjan Martins, Kori Newkirk, Senam Okudzeto, Keith Piper and William L Pope.
These artists got appreciation from cheap Dakar flights takers from all over the globe. Participants of this event took part in the motive of rewriting history.
The decision for the best artwork was made by an international jury which consists of a pool of five commissioners. The Benin International Arts Festival at Dakar 2010 was held under the theme “Retrospective and Perspective”. As it attracted 50,000 audiences from almost all countries of Africa it is estimated that the next festival will also be greatly capturing cheap flights to Dakar and the number of attendees will increase to almost one million.
The displays in this festival were both traditional styles such as paintings and sculptures and more modern expressions. Due to the success of the event, it will result in the holding of a large number of other parallel events in Dakar. It will capture flights to Dakar from the UK and other parts as well as from Africa.
Holiday in Benin Republic
Benin constitutes a long stretch of land perpendicular to the Coast of the Gulf of Guinea. It is former Dahomey, the so-called most beaten track by Europeans of any Africa. You can root the history of Benin in the chain of kingdoms.
Benin is a conservative country and you should dress well and behave in order to respect their culture and so as not to offend. I would suggest the best time to visit this place, with regards to its climate, the idea is to visit the Southern area from December to March and July/August while visiting times for the Northern part of the country is from December to April.
If you are interested in exploring the history of Benin, one extraordinary and astonishing museum is the Abomey which is referred to as the Royal City, the capital of Dan-Home and is known as the ancient Kingdom. It has one of the most remarkable museums in Africa. The artists and craftsmen, weavers, jewelers, woodcarvers, iron, and brass workers are famous far beyond the boundaries of the Republic of Benin.
Tourists can also try visiting another museum, the Quidah, known as Whydah in English, the Museum City. Quidah shows the European invasion with the earliest Portuguese, English, Danish, and French trading posts or strongholds. It is great to see and discover the remains of the ancient haven from which the slaves were boarded and shipped to America.
The unique Porto Novo offers a good experience. This is the City with three Names (Porto Novo, Hogbonou, Adjatche). It is the administrative capital of Benin, right in the middle of the Yoruba land.
There are also important museums in this particular area but the difference here is Adjogan music which is prevalent in Porto-Novo. The style of music is played on an alounloun, a stick with metallic rings attached which jingle in time with the beating of the stick. They say that the alounloun descend from the office staff of King Te-Agdanlin. The music is played as a tribute and respect to the King and his ministers. It is also being used in the city’s Roman Catholic churches.
If you are a lover of nature, one of the greatest tourist attractions here in Benin can be found at Natitingou. This area has castle-type Tata-Sombas. There are also traditional huts of the Tanks and other tribes in the North where there is the richly varied fauna of the National Parks of Pendjari and W. This is one of the highlights of visiting Benin and indeed the whole of West Africa. You will discover numerous different species of birds as well as different species of mammals including baboons, lions, elephants, and water buffalo.
The Tanougou Falls, a natural waterfall is also a famous attraction of Benin. If you want you can relax and do some swimming, the natural pools located at the base of the waterfall are refreshing and can be used free of charge. It is a natural treasure to be enjoyed. Kota Falls is also another attraction where you can gain experience and gain insight into the natural beauty of Benin.
Ganvie is Africa’s unique floating village built on stilts. It is a fishing village. There you can also see the lake market. Try to experience the motorboats or dugouts which are available for trips across the lake to the Ganvie. During the trip, there are Akadjas made of stakes and bushes in the shape of open circles or triangles driven into the bed of the plantless Lake. Seeking shelter among the foliage, the fish can be easily caught or kept for breeding.
Ganvie is Africa’s unique floating village built on stilts. It is a fishing village. There you can also see the lake market. Try to experience the motorboats or dugouts which are available for trips across the lake to the Ganvie holiday rentals.
During the trip there are Akadjas made of stakes and bushes in the shape of open circles or triangles driven into the bed of the plantless Lake. Seeking shelter among the foliage, the fish can be easily caught or kept for breeding. Why not rent holiday cottages in Benin to experience it to the full.
Interesting Facts About Benin Republic – A Vibrant Democracy on the Continent of Africa!
Benin Republic is an undeniably diverse place. There are certain interesting facts about Benin Republic you probably didn’t know. Benin Republic is located in West Africa, covering 112,622 sq. of land. Kilometre. And represents a long stretch of hand perpendicular to the Guinean Gulf Coast.
It is bordered by Burkina Faso and the Republic of Niger to the North, the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the East, and the Republic of Togo to the West.
Soccer in Benin Republic
Soccer is the national sport in Benin. Like much of the developing world today, the French-speaking Republic has not qualified for the FIFA World Cup.
However, they qualified for the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in the Netherlands, where they finished 18th, ahead of Australia, Panama, Honduras, Egypt, Canada, and Switzerland. The best players were Abou Gariga Maiga and Razak Omotoyosssi (who plays in Europe).
Benin is a great destination in West Africa. The French-speaking country is famous for being home to the Royal Palaces of Abomey, a legacy of one of West Africa’s most powerful kingdoms. There is so much evidence of Benin’s ancient history, and here you can see tombs, sculptures, murals, and buildings.
These palaces, Benin’s most noteworthy scenery, were built in 1625. Historically, this place was home to the Kingdom of Abomey, which flourished from the 17th century to the 19th century. Aside from being one of the ancient wonders on the African mainland, it was the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in the French-speaking nation, a land with a number of historic sites. Modern-day Benin has its roots in the ancient Kingdom of Abomey. Later, it was a territory under France until 1960.
Did you know- Tomas Boni Yayi is one of West Africa’s most respected presidents. Under Yayi’s leadership, Benin has been transformed into a new democratic state, where there are several political parties and a good human rights record. A good example of one of the world’s poorest nations.
Did you know- Benin is located in West Africa, and surrounded by Nigeria (an oil-rich republic) in the east, by Niger (the world’s poorest nation) and Burkina Faso (once called Upper Volta) in the north, by Togo (a French-speaking country) in the west, and by the Atlantic Ocean in the south. It has an area of 43,500 square miles (112,622 square kilometers).
The country’s official name is the Republic of Benin (former Dahomey). Geographically, it is made up mainly of valleys, plains, and wilderness. Meanwhile, Benin’s capital Porto-Novo is the second-largest city in population (over 200,000 people). In addition to the country’s capital, other cities include Cotonou ( Benin’s largest city), Djougou, Abomey-Calavi, Parakou, Bohicon, and Kandi, among others.
Did you know- The African republic over the last three decades has changed from a socialist economy to a free market system. Cotton is a key source of foreign exchange. It contributes more income to Benin’s economy than any other single economic activity.
Did you know- On the world stage, he African republic of Benin is well-known for its Royal Palaces and for the songs of Angelique Kidjo, who helped popularize African music in the United States and Europe. This daughter of Benin, a Grammy-Award winning singer, always will be remembered internationally for such songs as “Batonga”, “Agolo”, “Lombo”, “Wombo”, “We We” and “Adouma”. Kidjo was born on July 14, 1960, in Ouidah, Benin.
Did you know- On September 20, 1960, the African country became a member of the United Nations (and many of its specialized agencies). Sixteen years on, between 1976 and 1977, it served on the Council of Security of the United Nations for the first time.
Did you know- Benin –as large as Indiana and Hawaii together – has maintained good ties with Washington since the mid-1990s when the black republic became a multiparty democracy.
Did you know- This western African nation has a population of about 8.9 million people. The chief ethnic groups are the Fon, Adja, Bariba, and Yoruba. French is the official language.
Alejandro Guevara Onofre: Freelance writer. Alejandro is the author of a host of articles/essays about over 220 countries and dependencies (and the American States as well), from ecology, history, tourism, and national heroes to Olympic sports, foreign relations, and wildlife. In addition, he has published some books on women’s rights, among them “History of the Women in America” and “Famous Americans.”
Porto-Novo, the capital and city of Benin. This sits in west Africa on the Gulf of Guinea.
It is located in the extreme southeastern part of the country on a coastal lagoon, and was probably formed in the late 16th century. Formerly known as Ajase, the town served as the capital for Popo’s Yoruba province. It later became the center of the Porto-Novo kingdom and prospered as a result of slave trade with the Portuguese.
Some old African palaces remain in ruins, and many colonial-style houses, including the old Portuguese cathedral, are still there.
The town is the administrative capital of Benin ‘s government. Government buildings include the Library and the National Archives. Porto-Novo is connected to the main industrial center of the country at Cotonou by road and rail, and to Lagos , Nigeria.
Since the construction of a railway into the interior and the improvement of deepwater harbor facilities in Cotonou, it has been somewhat bypassed for commercial and industrial development. There are many African handicraftsmen and guilds in the city.
It’s time to Check off some fine restaurants in Cotonou. Who doesn’t like to go out to eat? Spending quality time with friends and family, good food, and no cleaning up dishes.
Cotonou city is home to kitchen melting pots and one can dine well without breaking a bank. Restaurants in Cotonou can be described an amazing array of classic and rustic restaurants ranging from Asian to European and typical African ones.
A nice thing about these restaurants in Cotonou is their extensive menu that includes Vegan options and many continental dishes.
Okay foodies, here are some restaurants in Cotonou that you want to check out for a dining experience!
This is a rustic restaurant in Cotonou which is typical of Benin Republic. I can’t emphasize enough how crazily delicious the food served here is. Even before the food hits your table the scent will fill you up. They have a good variety of dishes such as jollof rice, fried or sauced fish and meat, Blokoto, Atchieke, aloko, and much more.
Fried or grilled fish or turkey eaten with Akassa and savory vegetable sauce is a worthwhile attempt. The portion of the food is extremely large and is so fairly priced.
The Beninese community regularly come here for lunch and dinner, and sometimes the place might be a little busy, but hey it’s comfortable and clean and you’re going to be too busy with your food to even notice something.
They also have a buffet for you to choose from, and each dish is priced individually.
Best French cuisine in the Benin Republic. This is one of the finest restaurants in Cotonou. The service, food and cleanliness; on-the-spot everything, which is not always the case in most restaurants.
On red checked table clothes are served hearty portions of classic and carefully prepared dishes.
The hot and fresh bread rolls of suckling chicken and curry sauce are a signature; juicy and rich with a crispy skin that cracks with every bite
If you ever come to Cotonou, the first restaurant you go to should be this.
Nigerian homesick foodies, please come in! This restaurant is here to soothe your gastronomic needs. The soups are freshly cooked and filled with juicy and assorted meat and fish. They offer varieties of Nigerian native soups such as vegetables, oha, egusi, bitterleaf and served either with fufu, eba, or pounded yam.
Non-native food options are also available, including jollof or fried rice, beans, yam. Fried meat and plantain can be well seasoned over delicious jollof or fried rice.
Okay, pounded yam served with rich and tasty Egusi soup was one of our signatures ever since.
It is gentle and smooth
This is a fancy restaurant on the beach side which offers you the priceless ocean view while savoring your delicious meal. This restaurant offers amazing seafood dishes; fish, lobster, shrimp … Either fresh, sauced or barbecue as a tartare of fresh plantain tuna fish, fried vegetable shrimps or any delicious fish soup with well-seasoned fried bread and fresh cheese.
The atmosphere is so relaxing and after their meals, the diners take their time to sit down on long chairs on a quiet beach.
Run by a Thai family, this fine restaurant offers a range of savory Asian cuisine. A combination of Chinese and Thai food.
If you want to go on an Asian menu, you may want to start with a mixed starter and then order some succulent coconut chicken and pineapple rice, or better yet, try the delicious Tom Yum chicken soup. Don’t worry about vegans, the menu has a full page of vegetarian choices and staff are always polite and happy to help you select the best dishes.
You may opt to have your meal on the terrace with nice water feature and authentic work of Thai art or an exotic atmosphere at the diner.
This is among the very popular restaurants in Cotonou, more or less a pizzeria and bar, that has been around for decades. Mainly, they serve continental dishes. The cooking is reliable at all times and they make very good pizza. Drinking a beer, and hanging out with friends, is a really nice spot.
Start with a nice cocktail or wine while you’re waiting for your meal. If you’re a seefoodie, you can try the big BBQ prawn or seafood pizza; the calzone is quite tasty too.
The beer is still cold, and excellent food service. Restaurant Living Stone is next door to their sleek and very cozy hotel
It is in Haie vive, Lot 17, and is a perfect hang-out expat.
This red-painted two-story building overlooking the port of Cotonou is an envelope of well-flavored and spiced variety of dishes. Traditional Beninese soups such as Gbekoui and Gboman, Amiwo are on the menu as well.
Food is always freshly prepared, which may take a while, so call and place your order an hour before arrival
Try the fish dishes, they ‘re the best.
This is a fast food where you’re going for a well-flavored ice cream tub, a tasty snack or a take out. The place is air-conditioned, with a warm reception. It is the only restaurant in Cotonou that is open all day and all night, from 7 am to midnight.
Yeah, if after a long day you ‘re exhausted and hungry and want a late snack, you’ve been protected by the Festival des Glass. There are many branches at Festival des Glass but the main branch is at.
The Chinese legacy is very much alive in this restaurant, located in the center of the lively city of Cotonou. They have a range of soup choices, It is located in Haie vive, with seating upstairs and downstairs. The cozy two-storey diner offers a good list of Chinese dishes. The prices are modest and the food is served quickly.
We recommend that you order some sweet and spicy steaming pepper soup.
Have you been to a restaurant where the manager takes your orders!
The spices and flavors are so unique and fantastic and their menu extends far beyond Indian food.
Here are some favourites; the best are masala, butter chicken, Chili Paneer and the sizzlers! Just know this, no matter what dish you order on the menu it will definitely be delicious. Most of the dishes are spicy, so tailor the spiciness on a scale of 1 – 10
The service is friendly and fast and if you don’t know what to eat, they’ll help you pick your dish. The restaurant has a gracious manager and is super clean.
As the name implies, this new restaurant in Cotonou is known for its Crunchy and Juicy Shawarma
It is another fantastic ice-cream and fast food joint. Here are a few items on the menu; a delicious roasted chicken, varieties of salad, Hamburgers, delicious fries,
There you have it! Some really fine restaurants in Cotonou you should really visit. If you have been to any of these restaurants feel free to share your gastronomical experience with us.
At the origins, the land of present-day Benin Republic was occupied by several kingdoms. The most prominent were called Danhomé (Abomey), Xogbonou (Porto-Novo), Allada, Nikki, Kouandé, Kandi …
Abomey and Porto-Novo’s first rulers came from neighboring Togo (Tado) via the Adja-Fon migration. The other populations came from Nigeria, Niger, or Burkina-Faso today. The country was thus once home of ancient and brilliant civilizations built around these kingdoms: city-states.
These politically well-structured entities had functional urban centers. After the abolition of the slave trade in 1807, they had developed a local trade, based on the slave trade from the 17th century, then on the oil palm trade.
This trading economy favored the establishment of trading posts controlled by the English, Danes, Portuguese, and some French along the coast (nicknamed the “Slave Coast”). France was allowed to build a port at Ouidah in 1704 while Porto-Novo was discovered by the Portuguese in 1752.
The Proclaimed Republic on 4 December 1958, on 1 August 1960, Benin Republic acceded to international sovereignty under the name of Dahomey. The country is known for the “exemplary” nature of its democratic process which began after the National Conference of Living Forces in February 1990. Several presidential, legislative, and local elections have since sanctioned the shift of political power. Political liberalism has generated three alternations on the State apex in fifteen years.
It has truly experienced two waves of democratization, crowned with elections the rulers emerged from. The first goes back to the dawn of independence, with the December 1960 general elections. This period is still marked by the failure of the President of the Republic to complete his mandate, swept away by a military coup d’état in 1963.
Moreover, political life was suffering from monolithism, as the new president very quickly inspired the fusion of political parties into a single official: the Dahomean Unity Party (PDU). Since February 1990, the second wave of democratization is underway. Its peculiarity is that it is long-term and enables democratic stability
The first twelve years of independence marked the time of political instability. A series of coups d’état followed until 1970, which gave the country the name “The sick child of Africa.” The founding act of this instability was Colonel Christophe Soglo’s putsch, which on 28 October 1963 overthrew the democratically elected independence father Hubert MAGA.
In fact, with the new Constitution adopted in November 1960, Hubert Maga’s retention of power was consecrated by the general elections held on 11 December following. But profiting from the country’s social unrest, the army took power in 1963. Three months later the country’s management was handed over to a civilian government.
Sourou Migan Apithy became Benin Republic President and Justin Ahomadégbé became its Prime Minister and Vice-President. On 5 January 1964, a referendum adopted a new Constitution. But those two government leaders have been unable to tuning their violins. The army forced them to dissign on 1 December 1965. Civilians however retained power. It fell to Taïrou Congacou, the president of the national assembly. Unhappy with his governance, Christophe Soglo, who had become a general, took the army to the forefront once again.
The young military officers on 17 December 1967, in turn, overthrew him. Commander Maurice Kouandété, the mastermind of the coup d’état, confided to the head of the army, Lieutenant Colonel Alphonse Alley, three days after the destiny of the country.
In May 1968 the officers organized presidential elections to hand over Dahomey’s scepter once again to a civilian authority. Yet the country’s three traditional political leaders who were.
In their absence, the people carried a stranger. The elected candidate, Dr. Basile Adjou Moumouni, did grind grain to the soldiers, however. A World Health Organization international civil servant stationed in Brazzaville, the elected head of state was not a part of the political seraglio and did not reassure the military. Surely the military had concerns about keeping their privileges.
In the aftermath, faced with pressure, they installed a civilian replacement at the Presidency on 17 July 1968: Émile Derlin Zinsou.
In fact, the new Head of State, a former member of the French Union Assembly, was the fourth political tenor in the country. Accustomed to the political life of Dahomey, he was the consensus within the Committee for Military Revolution (CMR).
He did not lead the country, as usual. Another officer, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Emile de Souza, was entrusted with its management. The military pledged to step down as Executive head in May 1970. A new formula was found to ward off the instability: a rotating presidency was established. It consisted of forming a government led by the three main civil political actors in turn: Maga, Apithy, and Ahomadégbé.
In the supreme magistracy every two years the country’s three political leaders, firmly anchored electorally to a region, would succeed each other. Justin Ahomadégbé took over at the end of the Mandate of Hubert Maga in May 1972. But the formula hasn’t long worked.
The Army again seized power on October 26, 1972, with Battalion Chief Mathieu Kérékou. This triumvirate he swept away, mocked as a “three-headed monster” It was the start of a second strong political period for the country.
The People’s Republic of Benin has been renamed The Republic of Dahomey. It proclaimed its adherence to the Marxist-Leninist oriented socialist economy. Draped the country into a dictatorial cloak. Several opponents were murdered, tortured, and forced into exile.
From the mid-1980s onwards, an unprecedented economic situation forced the government into power which resulted from a series of factors: international gloom, mismanagement, misappropriation of funds, and imperialism.
The state stopped paying salaries during bankruptcy. Faced with this situation fuelled by the Dahomey Communist Party ideologues, the street rumbled over with demonstrations of protest. Unarmed, the Marxist military junta resigned to political, economic, and social reforms.
It abandoned socialism as the state’s ideological orientation on December 6, 1989, and convened a National Conference. Furthermore, the politically condemned were amnestied and could return for the month of February to participate in the announced “Estates General.”
From 19 to 28 February 1990, at the PLM Alédjo Hotel, under the chairmanship of Monsignor Isidore de Souza, the National Conference brought together over half a thousand delegates from the various components of the country.
Two key decisions were made. The first one established liberalism, democracy, and the rule of law. The second appointed a prime minister to assist General Mathieu Kérékou, who had been retained as president but had most of his prerogatives stripped. The Benin Republic was enveloped by winds of democratic renewal.
The Premier appointed by the National Conference, World Bank Executive Director Nicéphore Soglo, was responsible for leading the government during the transitional period.
The task of this government is to implement the main measures that will lead to the adoption of a new constitution and the organization of general elections.
Contrary to other transitional experiences of the sub-region countries, during the twelve months of their duration, the two main actors of this period, President Mathieu Kérékou and Prime Minister Nicéphore Soglo, were able to play their part faithfully and to tuning their violins.
A new fundamental law, that of the Fifth Republic, was promulgated by referendum on 11 December 1990, after its adoption. It reflects national conference decisions. It’s founded on the rule of law and democracy. It opted for a republican presidential regime with the three powers separated: the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary.
Nicéphore Soglo had defeated Mathieu Kérékou in the second round of presidential elections. But in 1996, at the end of the presidential elections, he had to abandon his presidential chair to Mathieu Kérékou. Five years later the Beninese put their confidence in General Mathieu Kérékou once again.
In 2006 the political game became more open, in the absence of Mathieu Kérékou and Nicéphore Soglo. On 5 March 2006, the first round of elections took place. Twenty-six candidates contested the supreme magisterium: regulars and newcomers. This included Adrien Houngbédji and Bruno Amoussou, both former Kérékou ministers and former National Assembly presidents. Against all odds, it was Boni Yayi who took the limelight, portrayed by his opponents as the emanation of “a spontaneous generation in politics” With over 75 percent of the votes cast, he won the final decision. The following year his supporters won the legislative elections united within the Forces Cauris pour un Bénin Emergent (FCBE). It was from this movement that the National Assembly president elected Mathurin Nago in the aftermath.
Then two major actors emerged within the Beninese political class: Republic President Boni Yayi and his second-round challenger, Adrien Houngbédji, who acted as the ‘main opponent’ to power.
After the second round of presidential elections, the Beninese people elected President Patrice Talon in March 2016. President Patrice TALON was sworn in and took over the reins of power on 06 April 2016.
Benin Republic is located in West Africa, covering 112,622 sq. of land. Kilometre. And represents a long stretch of hand perpendicular to the Guinean Gulf Coast. It is bordered by Burkina Faso and the Republic of Niger to the North, the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the East, and the Republic of Togo to the West. With a coastline of 124 kilometers long, it stretches some 672 kilometers north to south while at the obvious point, its breath extends 324 kilometres. The Size of Portugal is above two-thirds.
Benin Republic can be divided into five natural regions: a coastal area, low, sandy and about 2 to 5 kilometers wide, bounded by lagoons; a plateau area called “La terre de barre” made of iron clay cut with marshy dips; a plateau of silica clayey with wooded savannah extending north of Abomey to the foothills of the Atakora hills; Niger plains that are extensive fertile areas of silica-clayey.
Vegetation
In the center the forest thins out considerably and gives way to the grassland. Cultivated crops elsewhere predominate, including lower Benin ‘s immense palm groves and coconut plantations along the 124 kilometer long coastline and along the lagoons.
Climatology
Benin Republic features unusually dry conditions. This is mainly due to two extremely important factors. First, the coastal situation that is rather well protected from the western winds; second, the western and northwestern Atakora Barrier that decreases the amount of rainfall.
The country’s bulk is under the influence of tropical transitional conditions. Rainfall is not as abundant as it is found in areas of the same latitude, thus creating tropical conditions known as the BENIN variant. These conditions are characterized by a dry season from November to early April and a rainy season from the latter part of April until October.
The southern portion of the Republic of Benin, i.e. the coastal zone, is under the influence of a Northern transitional equatorial climate characterized by a long dry season from November until the end of March, a first rainy season from April to July, a small dry season in August and a second rainy season in September and October.
The country’s northern portion undergoes a true tropical climate. A long dry winter season can be observed in the summer, with a long rainy season.
The mean temperature ranges from 77oF to 82oF (25o-28oC).
The best time to visit the Southern area is from December to March and July / August, while it is between December and April to visit the Northern part of the country.
Benin ‘s geographical setting serves to integrate the region and provides direct access by water, rail, airlines, and railways to bordering states.
Five-seaters travel between Cotonou and Lome, Cotonou and Lagos to name the nearest other capital cities, while bus and lorry services such as Cotonou-Parakou, Parakou-Kandi, Parakou-Malanville, Parakou-Djougou are available for long-distance travel.
Roads: 1,000 km or bitumenized roads will cover 8,000 km
Railways: 570 Km in joint venture with the NIGER Republic.
Airport: Cotonou’s main airport features many foreign airlines.
Port: International harbor in Cotonou, with modern facilities.
Telecommunications: Infrastructures operate more than 6,000 lines with direct outside world contact.
Most towns and localities offer a full range of postal services. Telex facilities and fax facilities are in Cotonou.
A multi-party system country
President/ Head of State/ Head of Government
A one-man-one-vote suffrage to elect the President / Government Head who may belong to a Party. His term of office is five ( 5) years, and is only renewed once. For at least ten ( 10) years he should have been of Beninese nationality. Presidential vacancy (resignation, death …) is filled by National Assembly Speaker. The new Head of State shall be elected within 40 (40) days. The President / Head of State / Government in the National Assembly Hall addresses the nation on the state of the nation once a year
A one-man-one vote suffrage to elect parliamentarians (MPs). His four year term in office is renewable. There is one MP with a population of 70,000. His successor elected within fifteen ( 15 ) days when the House is in session or at an immediate meeting held in accordance with its Rules of Procedure shall fill the vacancy (resignation, death …) at the speakership. An MP’s vacancy is filled in the same way by his substitute, who is also elected. Two regular sessions begin within the first quarter of April and the second quarter of October, respectively. Could not exceed three ( 3) months in each session. It is decided by a simple majority.
For the first time, on the independence day 1 August 1960, the National Flag was formally hoisted to replace the French Flag.
It has green, red and yellow colours.
The green denotes hope for renewal as explained in the second verse of the National Anthem, the red evokes the courage of the ancestors while the yellow calls to mind the richest treasures of the country.
But when the country went red in 1975 after a military coup on 26 October 1972, the then one-party regime decided to change the National Flag with its Marxist-Leninist ideology. It became a plain green flag on its upper left part, with a red star.
Demography
The population of BENIN is estimated at 4,500,000 inhabitants largely concentrated in the Southern coastal region near the major port city of Cotonou (450,000 inhabitants), the head town of the Atlantic Department, the capital city of Porto Novo (200,000 inhabitants) in the OUEME Department and the “Royal City” of Abomey (80,000 inhabitants) in the Central Department of ZOU. The annual growth rate is 3.1%. Other major towns are Ouidah, Allada, Abomey, Grand Popo, Lokossa, Save, Savalou, Parakou, Djougou, Malanville, Kandi, Natitingou.
Benin Republic Mina, Bariba and Dendi are the other important languages. French is the official language. Beside the French language, English is necessarily one of the two foreign languages taught in secondary schools.
Greetings in Fon – Good morning: AH-FON Ghan-Jee-Ah
– Good evening: Kou Do Bah Dah
– How are you: Ah-Doh Ghan-Jee-Ah
– Thank you: Ah-Wah-Nou
– Good bye: OH-Dah-Boh
Languages spoken:
The ATLANTIC “department”
– Fon, Alada, Ayizo, Seto, Tofin, Toli.
The ATAKORA “department”
– Basila, Cabrai, Dendi, Dompago, Dyerma, Fulfulde, Gourmantche, Kotokoli, Mossi, Natember; others are ouinzi-ouingi, Peul, Pila, Somba, Waama, Ditamari.
The BORGU “department”
– Bargu, Bariba, Bouko, Dendi; others are Dyerma, Fulfulde, Peul, Niendi.
The MONO “department”
– Adja, Guin, Mina, Nago; others are Popo, Saxwe, Waci, Xweda, Xwela.
The OUEME “department” – Ayizo, Gun, Holi, Idaca, Ife; others are Nago, Weme, Yoruba. The Zou “department” – Fon, Idaca, Ife, Mahi; others are Nago, Seto.
Ouidah:
Spelt “WHYDAH” in history books written in English, it is the “Museum City”. It is evocative of European penetration with its ancient Portuguese, English, Danish and French trading posts or strongholds. There can be seen the remains of the ancient port from which slaves were boarded and shipped to the Americas.
Abomey:
Referred to as the “Royal City”, it is the capital of Dan-Home, the ancient Kingdom. It has one of the most impressive museums of Africa. Its artists and craftsmen, be they weavers, jewelers, woodcarvers, iron and brass workers are famous far beyond the boundaries of the Republic of BENIN.
Allada:
It is the city, the cradle of “voodoos” in vogue in the Americas, namely in Brazil, West Indies, the Caribbean countries.
Porto Novo:
The “City with three Names” (Porto Novo,Hogbonou,Adjatche) . It is Benin’s administrative capital, right in the middle of the Yoruba land.
Nikki:
The historic capital of the Baatonu people.
Natitiogou:
Its castle-type “TATA-Sombas” and the traditional huts of the Tanekas and other tribes in the North where there are the richly varied fauna of the National Parks of Pendjari and “W”.
Ganvie:
AFRICA’s unique floating villages built on stilts. A population of several thousand. Motorboats or dugouts are available for the trips across the lake to the Ganvie. During the trip, there are Akadjas made of stakes and bushes in the shape of open circles or triangles driven into the bed of the plantless Lake. Seeking shelter among the foliage, the fish can thus be easily caught or kept for breeding.
Visa Requirements
1/ Two (2) application forms in legible writing.
2/ Two (2) passport size photos.
3/ International certificate of vaccination (yellow fever and cholera).
4/ Visa is issued for fifteen (15) days: Entry and transit within 3 months. Extensions may be obtained at the Immigration Office.
5/ A $ 20.00 (twenty dollars) fee for each applicant (cash, money order of certified cheque only. No personal cheque please.)
6/ A letter of guarantee from employer of travel agency or Xerox of round trip ticket or a Bank letter of guarantee.
– Join your passport to the forms.
– Please allow 48 hours for issuance of visa.
– Passport must be valid for at least six (6) months and if it is to be sent back by mail, please enclose self addressed certified envelope or an express mail envelope.
History
It can be remembered that Benin, former Dahomey, is perhaps the “most beaten track of any Africa’s Europeans.” Benin ‘s history is a succession of Kingdoms. France was granted permission to erect a port at Ouidah in 1704, and the Portuguese founded Porto Novo in 1752. The territory was named the “Colony of Dahomey and its dependencies” by decree on 22 June 1894 and was granted autonomy which it retained until 18 October 1904 when it became part of French West Africa.
The Republic was proclaimed on 4 December 1958. On August 1, 1960, Dahomey became independent, and is a member of the United Nations. . In other words, on November 30, 1975 Dahomey was under a centrally controlled government and eventually became the People’s Republic of Benin. At the National Conference held in Cotonou (February 19-28, 1990) and at which all walks of life were represented, fundamental decisions were taken, namely:
– abolition of Marxist ideology as the State philosophy.
– the reversion to the genuine flag.
– the reversion to the multi party system.
– the dissolution of all one-party structures.
– the release of all political detainees and prisoners.
– the respect of all Human Rights.
Coat of Arms
It is an escutcheon with: – in the first quarter, a gold Somba castle.
– in the second quarter in silver, the Star of Benin painted to the life, that is to say an eight azure point cross with, at its angle, silver radiuses and sand in abyss.
– in the third quarter, a sinople silver palmtree laden with heralds.
– in the fourth quarter, a ship evocative of European penetration into the Country.
Supporters: Two gold brindled panthers.
Crest: Two horns full of sand with maize in the ear.
Motto: Fraternity, Justice, Labor sandwritten on a lancepennon.
Industry & Trade
Only a small percentage of the gross domestic product represents industry. The fisheries sector only meets local consumption, as does the textile industry. Palm processing facility needs improvement; Negeria jointly owns a sugar complex and a cement factory. Breweries, piece of soap … Meet just local demand. However, the Possotome village is known for its mineral water which is internationally recognized. Besides the calcareous quarry found at ONIGBOLO, gold deposits, phosphates, iron ore, marble, clay … Are still to be explored. Development of off-shore fields is underway at SEME and elsewhere. A hydroelectric power on the river Mono (the NANGBETO dam) has just been completed in Benin / Togo. There are attractive industrial projects, and some of them have feasibility studies. Benin ‘s investment code has been revised to insert more incentives for investors, among other things. Benin is the natural gateway to Togo and Nigeria, and to countries that are landlocked like Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali.
Banks, Working Time, Public Holidays
Banks
– Central Bank of West Africa P.O. Box 325 Cotonou
– Bank of Africa
– Financial Bank
– International Bank of Benin (B.I.B.)
The currency is the CFA franc divided into 100 centimes; the parity with the French franc is fixed:
1 FF = 50 CFA francs.
Working Time
Business hours
Monday – Friday: 8a.m. to 12:30 a.m
3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Government
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 12:30 3 p.m.
3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Public Holidays
January 1: New Year’s Day
Easter Monday
Ascension Day
May 1: May Day
Whitmonday
August 1: National Day
August 15: Assumption Day
November 1: All Saints’ Day
December 25: Christmas Day
Ramadan
Ad-el-FlTR
Maouloud
The details regarding Muslim Holidays are but approximative since they are observed following the sightings of the moon.
The Republic of Benin (French: République du Bénin) and formerly known as Dahomey, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso to the north-west, and Niger to the north-east. The official language of Benin is French, with several indigenous languages such as Fon, Bariba, Yoruba and Dendi also being commonly spoken. Benin Republic is an undeniably diverse place. Here we will talk a little about Benin Republic currency
History of Benin Republic currency – Franc CFA
The CFA franc is the denomination of the common currency of 14 African countries that are members of the Franc Zone. They are the following countries:
Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo, which make up the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), whose Issuing Institute is the BCEAO;
Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Gabon, which make up the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), whose issuing institution is the Bank of Central African States (BEAC).
The Benin Republic Currency – CFA franc was born on 26 December 1945, the day France ratified the Bretton Woods agreements and made its first declaration of parity at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It then means “franc des Colonies Françaises d’Afrique”.
It was later renamed “franc de la Communauté Financière Africaine” (African Financial Community franc) for the member states of the West African Monetary Union (WAMU), and “franc de la Coopération Financière en Afrique Centrale” (Central African Financial Cooperation franc) for the member countries of the Central African Monetary Union (CAMU).
Convertibility
guaranteed in French francs by the French Treasury;
possible in foreign currencies through the Paris foreign exchange market, with the French franc as the standard;
total freedom of transfers within the Franc Zone;
2 August 1993: suspension by the BCEAO of the repurchase of banknotes of its issue exported outside the territory of African Franc Area member countries;
17 September 1993: entry into force of the decision by the authorities of the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) to suspend the repurchase of banknotes of its own issue exported to the WAMU zone;
20 December 1993: the BCEAO suspended the repurchase of banknotes of its issue held in the WAMU area.
Fun facts about Benin Republic
The Republic of Benin (French: République du Bénin) is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso to the north-west, and Niger to the north-east. The official language of Benin is French, with several indigenous languages such as Fon, Bariba, Yoruba and Dendi also being commonly spoken.
Benin Republic is an undeniably diverse place. Here are some fun facts about Benin Republic you probably didn’t know
Protected by Patchstack