Benin is an independent republic, with a democratic government, which lies on the Gulf of Guinea and forms part of the West African Region. The capital city is Porto-Novo although the commercial capital is Cotonou. Other major cities are Abomey and Kandi.
The official language is French and various local languages (Hausa in the north and the languages of the Fon and the Yoruba in the south) are also spoken. The local currency is the CFA-Franc. (US$ / CFA Franc - current exchange rate).
The international time zone for Benin is Greenwich - 1. The international dialling code for Benin is +229. Air Afrique and Air France are served by an international airport at Cotonou while Benin Inter-Regional operates domestic flights to airports at Abomey, Parakpou, Natitingou and Kandi. As from January 1996 all nationals required visas in order to visit Benin except nationals of Denmark, France, Germany and Italy.
Transport infrastructure is improving with road and rail development as well as container facility provision to increase the capacity of the port of Cotonou.
Medical services in Benin can be expensive and may require advance payment. Vaccinations as well as medical insurance should be arranged prior to arriving in Benin. Due to the state of health, the current state of immunisation, location and the local disease situation, there is risk of contracting cholera, dengue fever, hepatitis A, malaria, meningitis, schistomiasis, tuberculosis, typhoid fever and yellow fever.
Benin continued to enjoy robust economic growth and subdued inflation during the first half of 2003, with the government encouraging free trade. Sustained economic policy reforms and political stability have enabled Benin to achieve a 4.9% average annual economic growth in the period 1991 to 2001. In March 2003 the country was granted debt relief by the IMF and World Bank worth US$460 million. Authorities strengthened customs administration and made spending cuts in non-priority areas, allowing scope for improved execution of poverty-reducing expenditure.
The country's main exports are cotton, palm oil products, coffee, crude oil and cocoa beans. Recent years have seen an increase in exports of cotton and services related to transit trade. Agriculture (35.5% of GDP in 2002), commerce and transportation make up the largest proportion of the GNP. GDP in 2002 was US$2.7 billion. The manufacturing sector focuses around the agricultural industry, processing products and manufacturing consumer goods and construction materials. Industry and services accounted for 14.4% and 50.1% of GDP respectively in 2002.
The oil and mining industries are two key elements in the economy of the country. Electricity is provided by the parastatal utility Societe Beninoise d'Electricite et d'Eau (SBEE). The cement and oil refining industries make up the only heavy industry of Benin.
Benin was rated 159th on the Human Development Index in 2003. Poverty has not been reduced significantly and achieving higher levels of economic growth and poverty reduction will require further economic liberalisation (electricity, water, telecommunications, cotton) and dramatic improvements in the effectiveness of the public service delivery through public expenditure reform, decentralisation and reduced corruption. The population in 2002 was 6.6 million.
