Foreign relations of Benin

After seizing power in the 1972 coup d'état, Major Mathieu Kérékou declared the People's Republic of Benin a Marxist-Leninist state and sought financial support from communist governments in Eastern Europe and Asia. To distance the modern state from its colonial past, the country became the People's Republic of Benin in 1975. However, Benin dropped the socialist ideology in 1989 following pressure from creditors and domestic unrest related to economic hardship.

In recent years Benin has strengthened ties with France, the former colonial power, as well as the United States and the main international lending institutions. Benin has also adopted a mediating role in the political crises in Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, and Togo and provided a contribution to the United Nations force in Haiti, all of which were indications of the country's growing confidence in the international community. Some of the allies of Benin are France, India, US, UK, Netherlands, Ghana, and China.

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Benin maintains diplomatic relations with:

{| class="wikitable sortable"

! colspan="3" |frameless|425x425px

!Country

!Date

|10

|11

|12

|13

|15

|16

|17

|18

|19

|20

|21

|22

|23

|24

|25

|26

|27

|28

|29

|30

|31

|32

|33

|34

|36

|37

|39

|40

|41

|42

|43

|44

|45

|46

|—

|47

|48

|49

|50

|51

|52

|53

|55

|56

|57

|58

|59

|60

|61

|62

|64

|65

|66

|67

|68

|69

|72

|73

|74

|77

|78

|79

|82

|—

|83

|86

|87

|88

|89

|90

|91

|93

|94

|96

|97

|98

|99

|100

|102

|104

|105

|106

|108

|109

|110

|111

|112

|114

|118

|119

|120

|121

|124

|129

|130

|131

|132

|133

|134

|135

|137

|140

|141

|142

|143

|145

|146

|147

|148

|149

|152

|154

|177

|Unknown

|178

|Unknown

|179

|Unknown

Bilateral relations

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"

! style="width:15%;" | Sovereign state

! style="width:12%;" | Formal Relations Began

!Notes

|- valign="top"

|||12 November 1964||See Benin–China relations

The People's Republic of China and the Republic of Benin established diplomatic relations on November 12, 1964, yet in January 1966, Benin unilaterally severed the relations with China and the April that year to "resume relations" with Taiwan. On December 29, 1972, the Mathieu Kérékon Government restored the relations with China and then the relations saw a favorable development afterwards.

Benin has an embassy in Beijing.
China has an embassy in Cotonou.

|- valign="top"

|||15 December 1964||See Benin–Denmark relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 December 1964 when was accredited first ambassador of Dahomey to Denmark Dr. Nicolas Amoussou Ewagnignon

|- valign="top"

|||2 August 1960||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 August 1960

Benin has an embassy in Paris.
France has an embassy in Cotonou.

|- valign="top"

|||December 1960||See Benin–Haiti relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations in December 1960 with Haiti opening an embassy in Dahomey. The embassy was closed in 1963 and reopened again in Cotonou in February 2004. Haiti closed once more its embassy in Benin on 11 December 2018, however, Haiti re-opened its embassy in Cotonou in May 2026.

Benin does not have an accreditation for Haiti.
Haiti has an embassy in Cotonou.

|- valign="top"

|||25 June 1963||See Benin–India relations

India is accredited to Benin from its high commission in Abuja, Nigeria.

|- valign="top"

|||12 March 1982||See Benin–Kenya relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 March 1982 when first ambassador of Kenya to Benin Mr. Alfred Imbahale Machayo presented his credentials to Head of State of Benin Mr. Mathieu Kérékou.

Benin is accredited to Kenya from its embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Kenya's is accredited to Benin from its high commission in Abuja, Nigeria.

|- valign="top"

|||30 October 1975||

Benin is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.
Mexico is accredited to Benin from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria and has an honorary consulate in Cotonou.

|- valign="top"

|||4 June 1962||See Benin–Russia relations

Benin has an embassy in Moscow.
Russia has an embassy in Cotonou.

|- valign="top"

||| 29 March 1974||Benin–Turkey relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 March 1974 when first Turkish Ambassador Mr. Talat Benler presented his credentials to President Mathieu Kerekou in Cotonou.

Turkey has an embassy in Cotonou.
Trade volume between the two countries was US$142 million in 2019.

Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact, the International Criminal Court, and the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have an Investment Agreement.

|- valign="top"

|||1 August 1960||See Benin–United States relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 August 1960

The two nations have had an excellent history of relations in the years since Benin embraced democracy. The U.S. Government continues to assist Benin with the improvement of living standards that are key to the ultimate success of Benin's experiment with democratic government and economic liberalization, and are consistent with U.S. values and national interest in reducing poverty and promoting growth. The bulk of the U.S. effort in support of consolidating democracy in Benin is focused on long-term human resource development through U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) programs.

Benin has an embassy in Washington, D.C.
United States has an embassy in Cotonou.

Diplomatic relations

Bilateral relations

See also

Notes