Benin economy: trade, prices, energy and public tenders · Alama Report

Economy
The latest checked official figures on Benin’s economy: prices, growth, public debt and the cost of borrowing.
Trade
Benin’s goods trade from official statistics: exports, imports and the balance.
Energy, oil and gas
Fuel prices, power and hydrocarbons in Benin, from official sources.
Mining
Mine output, mineral exports and mining projects in Benin, from official statistics and company reports.
Industry and construction
Industrial output, prices and construction activity in Benin, from official statistics.
Tourism and hospitality
Visitor arrivals, hotel activity and air traffic in Benin, from official statistics and operators.

Country at a glance

Population: 14.8mn (2025)
Capital: Porto-Novo (official capital); Cotonou (seat of government)
Languages: French (official). Fon is the most widely spoken language, followed by Yoruba, Bariba, Adja and Goun.
Currency: West African CFA franc (XOF), fixed at 655.957 FCFA per euro
GDP: $24.6bn (2025) · $1,658 per person
Real GDP growth: 8.1% (2025)
Inflation: 1.1% (2025, annual average)
Main exports: Cotton and cashew nuts (excluding re-exports, mainly to Nigeria) (2024)
Regional groupings: ECOWAS · WAEMU · AfCFTA signatory (ratification not deposited as of September 2026, per tralac)

Sources: World Bank, World Development Indicators (population, GDP, growth, inflation); exports; languages (Université Laval). These yearly benchmarks complement the checked figures on the topic pages.