Fuel Overview 

Benin does not have fuel refineries or domestic oil production and is therefore a net importer of hydrocarbons.   

The National Petroleum Marketing Company (SONACOP) is a single-member joint-stock company with the State of Benin, as its main shareholder. SONACOP is the only entity authorised to import fuel into Benin. It also stocks and distributes fuel and is the main fuel authority in the country. SONACOP has the following nominal storage capacity; 75,000 m3 for diesel, 45,000 m3 for petrol and 6,000 m3 for JET A1. There are installed facilities at Cotonou international Airport. Some old tankers are used to transport the fuel from the base the Cotonou port monthly to be offloaded and stocked at SONACOP facilities within the port zone. 

Today there are more than seventeen companies operating in Benin. Among others: SONACOP, ORYX, SUPER OIL ARICOCHE, AGF, AFRIPETROL, EAO PETROLEUM, BP, E-Well etc. Bénin counts in 2023, more than 1 000 stations service and ‘’mini stations’’. This has tremendously been increased compared to 2016 due the Beninese government campaign against the contraband fuel business mainly observed for imported fuel from Nigerian and this can be also related to the oil subsidy removal by the Nigerian government this year 2023. 

The private distributors are more than 17 (including Total/MRS PUMA Energy and MRS etc.) and can withdraw the quantities allocated to each one of them by submitting an order form. The companies can transport the fuel either using their own fleet or via their sub-contractors. There are government restrictions for any other agency to import fuel in Benin without the authorization from the SONACOP or to use any other entry point except Seme Krake Border, Hilaconji and Cotonou ports. 

The payments can be made through bank transfers, cash and there are also possibilities with debit/credit. The Fuel stations generally close their operations in the evening at around 22:00 and re-open at 06:00 in the morning. 

• More information on government regulation on Hydrocarbons importation can be found below: 

• Link 1  

• Link 2 

• Government Contact List 

• Fuel Providers Contact List here. 

Fuel Pricing 

Seasonal Variations  

For further information Source click here. 

Fuel Transportation 

Fuel transportation is done either by the distributors or by their sub-contractors. Some service stations in the country might face shortage in supplies due to the bad roads and the delays that might occur during the rainy season. The official capacity of fuel on road transportation is between 5,000 Lts to 35,000 Lts.  

Standards, Quality and Testing 

There are national standards regulating the fuel quality in the country called Benin Agency of Metrology and Quality Control (ABMCQ), in charge of the JET A1 tests and all petroleum products.   

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.  

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider. 

Transporters 

The Benin Central Union of the Transporters is the main union in the country. The number of trucks in the country is sufficient for the local market. It is important to note that some transporters might not accept to operate on certain routes during the rainy season.  

In Benin, the transporters sector is under the supervision of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT). The MIT has the mission to develop and ensure the implementation and monitoring-evaluation of the general policy of the State in matters of land, sea and fluvio-lagoon, and aerial transport as well as public works and other infrastructures, in accordance with the laws and regulations in place in the Republic of Benin. The main objectives of MIT are:  

• To initiate and conduct reflections and studies contributing to the definition of national policy and the implementation of strategies and actions related to its areas of competence.  

• To develop and ensure compliance with technical standards and regulations in all areas of its competence.  

• to assist local communities in the design, organization and management of activities in their areas of competence.  

• To ensure the planning, organization, monitoring and control of all actions in its areas of competence for the establishment and maintenance of transport infrastructure and the accessibility of people to basic services.  

• To promote and supervise professions related to transport and public works.  

• To contribute to the protection of the marine coast and the development of the fluvio-lagoon banks in the constant concern of integrated economic development and ecological preservation.  

• To monitor and evaluate the implementation of international and regional conventions and agreements relating to road, rail, air and public works transport.  

There are primarily transport companies for the account of Goods, Cotton and Hinterlands Transit Companies and oil distribution companies. In addition, other transporters and drivers either obtain a direct contract or through several brokers associations and individuals to sub-contract the transport contracts of the firms. This more informal category of transporters is less organised though has recourse to local transporter associations or unions that monopolize the market, share and offer cargo to their members. In Cotonou Port and in different public markets, they are more visible than the formal transporters. Most of the local transport capacity in the country is from transporters referred to as 'les demarcheurs', who do not sometimes accept the affiliation and system set up by the trade union - the equipment and service of these carriers is often poor.  

Some transporters overload since there are few weighing bridges in the country. 

The time of cotton harvest in the north of the country has a big impact on the truck’s availability.  The farmers and merchants are using the cheapest trucks owned by individuals or some small companies. Trucks suitable for their transport are mainly from 25 to 35 mt or less due to tricky road conditions from different locations (especially in the northwest and centre). It is difficult for heavier trucks (over 20 mt) to use many of the secondary and tertiary roads during the rainy season. 

Transporter Contact List here. 

A sample list of the transporting companies in Benin 

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.  

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider. 

Manual Labour 

In Benin as in almost of countries in west Africa, the Labour Code permits all workers (except military and paramilitary) to create and participate in labour organizations. Trade Unions and Benin Workers (UNSTB) is the main provider in Benin.   

Several structures have been created in Benin and are operating in Benin. We can mention Benin Workers' Trade Union Centre (CSTB), Autonomous Trade Union Centre, (CSA), Benin General Confederation of Trade Union Centres, Benin Confederation of Independents Trade Union Centres, etc..., These structures have emerged since a government code has prevented the previously existing trade union monopoly of UNSTB.  

However, they are all functioning independently in the Country. The largest labour organization remains the UNSTB which is collectively negotiating the decision and application of the law concerning salaried workers, including public sector civilian employees. 

Benin is one of the most progressed countries in west Africa in term of trade worker centres as about 25% of the workforce are unionized.  

The minimum working age is 18 and is enforced for large firms working in the formal economy. The workweek is technically 40 hours, but most people work more than that.   

Further information here  

Labour rules Benin 

Telecommunications 

The Ministry of Development of the Digital Economy and Posts of Benin has been created in Benin to reinforce strategically the government’s ambition to pursue and to achieve sub-regional integration through telecommunications and ICT, particularly through the interconnection of States and the establishment and maintenance of a common telecommunications network in the West Africa community.   

With the economic crisis of the late 1980s, Benin, like other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, was led to initiate a program of deregulation aimed ultimately to liberalize sectors formerly under a structure of public monopoly. To this end, and following different procedures, agencies have been created to regulate the sectors concerned, including the telecommunications sector. Thus, the telecommunications sector knows significant inflations since the end of the 1980s. The incumbent operator has been split into two separate entities: La Poste of Benin SA and Benin Telecom SA. Previously reduced to the old Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), telecommunications have been extended to mobile telephony and the Internet. Each market category is regulated by a different agency. The audio-visual and communication market are subject to ex ante regulation, provided for by the Constitution and provided by the High Authority for Audio-visual and Communication.   

On the other hand, other markets, including the telecommunications market, experienced two-stage regulation. Before deregulation of the sector, the fixed-line, mobile and Internet markets were directly regulated by the ministry in charge of telecommunications. But with the advent of deregulation of the sector, these markets are now the subject of ex post regulation, created by Decree No. 2007-209, dated May 10, 2007, and provided by a regulatory agency called Transitional Authority of Regulation of Posts and Telecommunications (ATRPT).   

The Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Post of Benin (Arcep-Benin) has been created to provide public access to electronic communications services and quality postal services across the country at affordable prices. Arcep Benin's mission is to foster the emergence of the digital economy; to promote healthy competition in the electronic communications and postal market through efficient regulation; optimize the planning and management of scarce resources, including radio frequencies, and promote the development of the universal postal service through efficient regulation of the sector.   

The ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) sector in Benin is experiencing incessant evolution, due to progressive investment in the development of infrastructure and services linked to this sector, leading in its wake to progress such as Internet connectivity has expanded, telecommunications networks have been modernized and access to IT has been promoted.  

Beninese internet subscribers totaled, in January 2022, the figure of 3.66 million, which explains the 2.7% increase achieved compared to the previous year, in the sense that 29.0 % of the entire population has benefited from access to the internet, leaving, on the other hand, a majority of nearly 71.0%, still offline at the start of the year. It should be noted, however, that under the still palpable impact of COVID-19, it would be possible that the actual number of internet subscribers exceeds the reported figure. 

• List and contacts of Mobile telecom operators in Benin 2023 

• List and contact of the internet providers in Benin 2023 

• List and contacts of the postal operators in Benin 2023 

• List and contacts of startups platforms in Benin 2023 

• Fixed Internet cost table Benin June 2023 

• Mobile internet cost table Benin June 2023 

Telecommunications Regulations 

The importation and licensing of humanitarian communication equipment: VSAT, HF, VHF, Thurayas, etc. is regulated in accordance with full declaration to the authorities before the materials arrival and the MoU signed between the humanitarian agency and the government including the following information: 

• how to open the service;  

• geographical coverage;  

• the conditions of access; 

• the nature of the services provided by the service; 

• the rates that will be applied to users  

The declaration form, duly completed, signed and stamped by the declarant or by the legal representative of the company: 

• a copy of the commercial or humanitarian register. This form is not required in the case of non-profit associations and Public Administrations and Institutions.  

• a legalized photocopy of the identity document of the declarant or, where applicable, his legal representative. This form is not required in the case of Public Administration and Establishment 

• the receipt for payment of file management fees fixed at one hundred and fifty thousand (150,000) CFA francs, per service declared. But can be exonerated for the Humanitarian agencies.   

It has been acted to establish after putting in place the ARCEP as the central body to license and regulate communications activities and services in the country and to provide for related purposes. All communications equipment imports require a clearance letter from that Authority. Securing a clearance letter prior to importation can help avoid delays at the port of entry.   

Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems 

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 

Several private internet services providers are available in the country. 

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) 

There three mobile network operators in the country: MTN, Moov Africa and most recent one CELTIIS 

For information on MNOs in Benin please visit here 

Overview 

Benin is open to foreign trade, with international trade accounting for 70% of GDP (2017 World Bank data). The country is a member of various trade organizations including the WTO and UEMOA (West African Economic and Monetary Union). There is an immense possibility to procure food and other non-food items from on the local markets, depending on the commodity itself. The local market can meet demands and scale up if required.  Most goods that are traded pass through the port of Cotonou. In 2015, an external tariff common to all of ECOWAS was introduced. 

The trend of structural trade deficit for Benin is expected to continue in 2018. Exports are mostly composed of low-cost agricultural products. The country is largely dependent on imports for, especially for its supply of oil and electricity. The trade deficit fell to $ 1.22 billion in 2016 as imports fell at a faster pace than exports. The steady growth of cotton production might partially reduce the trade deficit. According to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Analysis of Benin (INSAE), exports amounted to 80.98 million XOF in Q4 2017 (an increase of 165.5% compared to the same period of the previous year), while imports increased by 483.63 million XOF at the same time (an increase of 12.7%). 

Local manufacturers face some challenges of electricity costs, but can accommodate the multiple demands from different layers of the populations.  

Benin's primary exports are cotton, cashew nuts, coconuts, Brazil nuts, shea nuts, boats, cement, textile products and seafood to India, Niger, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Bangladesh. The main imported products are foodstuffs (rice, meat), petroleum products, electricity, drugs and capital goods from France, China, India, Thailand. Benin is also very active in re-export, mainly to Nigeria. 

In 2016, the key exports, imports and the trade balance were presented as below 

• Imported $4.75B, making it the 128th largest importer in the world. During the last five years the imports of Benin have decreased at an annualized rate of -13.3%, from $9.5B in 2011 to $4.75B in 2016. The most recent imports are led by Rice which represent 19.8% of the total imports of Benin, followed by Palm Oil, which account for 5.98% 
• Exported $1.11B, making it the 146th largest exporter in the world. During the last five years the exports of Benin have decreased at an annualized rate of -0.7%, from $1.14B in 2011 to $1.11B in 2016. The most recent exports are led by Gold which represent 34.4% of the total exports of Benin, followed by Raw Cotton, which account for 17.9%. 
• Trade balance was negative of $3.65B in net imports. As compared to their trade balance in 1995 when it still had a negative trade balance of $554M in net imports. 

(Source available here)

Smaller private companies are owned by citizens of Benin, and some companies are of foreign origin, mainly French and Lebanese. Private commercial and agricultural sectors remain the main contributors to growth. Benin was affected by the global economic crisis in 2008/2009, seeing its growth rate halved from 5.0% in 2008 to 2.7% in 2009 and 2.6% in 2010. After this slowdown, Benin experienced a moderate recovery to 3.5% in 2011. In 2012, Benin's average monthly income per capita was $ 63, or $750 per year.  

The manufacturing sector is primarily involved in processing commodities and the production of consumer goods. The recent World Bank report "Doing Business 2016" ranked Benin for the second time among the 10 most reforming countries in the world. In 2015, Benin recorded three reforms in terms of business creation indicators, building permits and cross-border trade.  

For a general overview of country data related to the service and supply sectors, please consult the following source: Benin - The Observatory of Economic Complexity – MIT (OEC)   

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.