Benin

General Information

Location: West Africa
Local Time: GMT+1
Capital City: Porto Novo
Population: 9.6 million
Area: 112,622357,021 square km, 43,484 square miles.

Language(s): French, many local languages, some English
Dialling Code: 229
Emergency:

TV Standard: SECAM
Driving: Driving is on the right. International Driving Permit required
Electricity: 220V AC 50Hz

Business & Currency

Currency: CFA Franc (XOF 1 = 100 Centimes)
Notes: XOF: 500, 1,000, 2,500, 5,000, 10,000
Coins: XOF: 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250

Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Credit cards are accepted on a limited basis
Opening Hours

Bank: 0800-1100 & 1500-1700 Mon-Fri
Office: 0800-1230 & 1500-1830 Mon-Fri
Shops: 0900-1300 & 1600-1900 Mon-Sat

Public Holidays

2012

01 Jan : New Year’s Day
10 Jan : Traditional Day
04 Feb : Prophet’s Birthday
09 Apr : Easter Monday
01 May : Labour Day
17 Jun : Ascension Day
28 May : Whit Monday
01 Aug : Independence Day
15 Aug : Assumption
19 Aug : Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
26 Oct : Armed Forces Day
01 Nov : All Saints’ Day
06 Nov : Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice)
30 Nov : National Day
25 Dec : Christmas Day

Note: Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates listed are approximate.
Business/Social Hints: Business is conducted in French, very few executives speak English. Care should be taken to respect Voodoo and other local religious conventions
Tipping: Around 10% in hotels & restaurants