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Benin

Introduction to Benin

Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West African kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became a French Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960, as the Republic of Benin. A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were alleged.

Government

Capital:

Porto-Novo is the official capital; Cotonou is the seat of government

Independence:

1 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday:

National Day, 1 August (1960)

Economy

Economy overview:

The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output has averaged a stable 5% in the past six years, but rapid population rise has offset much of this increase. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to raise growth still further, Benin plans to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, and encourage new information and communication technology. The 2001 privatization policy should continue in telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture in spite of initial government reluctance. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation, while pressing for speeded-up structural reforms.

GDP:

purchasing power parity - $7.742 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 36.4%
industry: 14.5%
services: 49.1% (2004 est.)

Agriculture products:

cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, livestock (2001)

Industries:

textiles, food processing, chemical production, construction materials (2001)

Transportation

Waterways:

150 km (on River Niger along northern border) (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Cotonou, Porto-Novo

Airports:

5 (2003 est.)

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