| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | BJISO 3166 [2024] |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | BENISO 3166 [2024] |
| Capital | Porto-NovoGeoNames [2024] |
| Continent | AfricaGeoNames [2024] |
| Common name | BeninCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Official name | Republic of BeninCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Local name | BeninCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Etymology | the current name comes from a local ethnic group, the Bini, whose name may be related to the Arabic word bani, meaning "sons;" the former name, Dahomey, comes from a previous kingdom in the area called Dan HoméCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Government type | Presidential republicCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Independence | 1 August 1960 (from France)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National holiday | Independence Day, 1 August (1960)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Head of state | Patrice TALON (President of the Republic, Head of Government, Head of State, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces)CIA World Leaders [2025] |
| Currency code (ISO 4217) | XOFISO 4217 Currency Codes [2026] |
| Currency | CFA Franc BCEAOISO 4217 Currency Codes [2026] |
| Administrative subdivisions | 12ISO 3166-2 Subdivisions [2026] |
| Subdivision names | Alibori / Atacora / Atlantique / Borgou / Collines / Couffo / Donga / Littoral / Mono / Ouémé / Plateau / ZouISO 3166-2 Subdivisions [2026] |
| Historical overview | No authoritative open source found |
| National symbols | leopardCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National anthem | title: "L'Aube Nouvelle" (The Dawn of a New Day); lyrics/music: Gilbert Jean DAGNON; history: adopted 1960CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National colors | green, yellow, redCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Citizenship rules | citizenship by birth: no; citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Benin; dual citizenship recognized: yes; residency requirement for naturalization: 10 yearsCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
the current name comes from a local ethnic group, the Bini, whose name may be related to the Arabic word bani , meaning "sons;" the former name, Dahomey, comes from a previous kingdom in the area called Dan Homé
description: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) to the right, with a vertical green band on the left side meaning: green stands for hope and revival, yellow for wealth, and red for courage history: uses the colors of the Pan-African movement
Source: CIA World Factbook (Historical Archive — final edition) · CC0 · Edition 2026-05
