Benin Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in benin, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Capital:  Porto-Novo (constitutional capital); Cotonou (seat of government)
Population:  12,833,604 (July 2022 est.)
GDP:  17.79 Billion USD (2021 est., Purchasing Power Parity)
Currency:  Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF)
Language:  French (official)

UNESCO Student Mobility Number – Benin has 7,297 students studying abroad according to UNESCO. 
CIA World Factbook – 65.42% of the population in Benin is under 24 years of age.
 

Overview

Currently, there are 7,297 total mobile Beninese students studying abroad.  The top five study destinations for students from Benin are France, Nigeria, Senegal, Cote d’ Ivoire, and Canada.  The United States is the eighth leading study destination for students from Benin.  

During the 2020/2021 academic year, there were a total of 210 Beninese students studying in the United States (source Open Doors Report https://opendoorsdata.org/data/international-students/all-places-of-origin/).  Of those students, 98 studied undergraduate programs, 66 studied graduate programs, and 46 studied non-degree/OPT programs. 

Benin students are interested in studying in U.S. universities.  There is a large number of students visiting the EducationUSA Advisor office on a daily basis, but many of these students are financially challenged.  Financial aid and scholarships are highly desired in this market. Top areas of study for Beninese students include Business and Management, Education, Engineering, Fine and Applied Arts, Health Professions, Humanities, Math/Computer Science, Physical and Life Sciences, Social Sciences.

Opportunities

Best prospective students for studies in the United States are graduate students and students from elite private schools like: College Catholique Père Aupiais, Notre Dame, College Française Montaigne, English International School, and Ecole UFUK.

Visitors are encouraged to visit Benin for recruitment whenever available, except for the period from mid-December to mid-January.  EducationUSA Cotonou can hold sessions with local students to attract audiences interested in learning about studies in the United States.  The U.S. Commercial Service can structure customized introductions and promotional programs for interested U.S. universities and other educational institutions to meet targeted Benin universities, schools and private entities.

Events

EducationUSA Cotonou routinely organizes public orientation sessions to inform prospective students on studies in the United States. 

Resources

U.S. Commercial Service Contact

Marius Lotsu,  Economic Commercial Assistant
Economic Commercial Section – Cotonou, Benin
LotsuMC@state.gov
+229 213 67 773

 

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