Benin on the Internet

ABCBurkina: In French and English. Farmers organizations in Bénin, Mali and Burkina Faso are asking that cotton producers in North American and Europe not been given price supports to continue growing cotton in competition with African cotton producers. http://www.abcburkina.net/

Adjahi, Christine - "Femmes africaines en immigration : quels parcours et quelles pratiques ? L'exemple de Christine Adjahi: On the author's immigration to France from Benin for university education, African communal life vs. the West's individualism, the importance of oral transmission of culture and education. From the e-journal, Mots Pluriels 23 http://www.arts.uwa.edu.au/MotsPluriels/MP2303ca.html

Afrikinfo: In French. Has a selection of free documents. Its legal library has Benin laws, decrees, documents of l'Union Économique et Monétaire Ouest-Africaine, of l'Organisation pour l'Harmonisation en Afrique du Droit des Affaires (OHADA), and the OAU.

Free information includes a directory of political parties, telephone directory, the 1992 population census, directory of the Constitutional Court, full text of the 1990 Constitution, heads of state since independence, directory of government institutions with biographical facts about the legislators, administrative map, full text of "La Politique culturelle de la Rep. du Benin." Has results of the April 1999 national assembly elections. Provides translation services. Sells cd-roms (Council of Ministers meetings, full text of the nine Constitutions adopted in Benin,1959-1990, list of all the governors of Dahomey 1894-1960; list of all governments formed in Dahomey and Benin 1959 - 2001). Afrikinfo is owned and managed by Benin Online Services System. Its director is Eric Tevoedjre. [KF] http://www.afrikinfo.com/

L'Araignee (Cotonou, Benin): In French. "Hebdomadaire Indépendant d'Information et d'Analyse." Benin news. Be careful, there is a virus in the MS Word document called "Révision du code électorale au Bénin les lois 2000-18 et 2000-19" on the web site. Be sure your antivirus software is up to date. [KF] http://www.laraignee.org/

Archives Nationales du Benin: In French. Describes the collections, publications, a photo exhibition of contemporary Benin, 1962 photographs, etc. http://www.unesco.org/webworld/archives/benin/anb.htm

Atlas of Natural and Agronomic Resources of Niger and Benin (University of Hohenheim): In English and French. "Adapted Farming in West Africa." Summarizes spatial data related to sustainable land use planning." Maps of Political borders, Population, Topography, Climate: Precipitation, Soils, Vegetation, Urbanisation. Has a brief history of Niger, Benin language map. ArcView files. Users have "free access to all basic data underlying the maps." Editors are K. Stahr, K. Vennemann, L. Herrmann, M. Von Oppen. The program is funded by the "Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft" (German Research Foundation) and the University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany. [KF] http://www.uni-hohenheim.de/~atlas308/

Barbecue Pejo: In French. Film by Jean Odoutan. The web site includes an interview with Odoutan. http://www.45rdlc.com/barbecue-pejo/

Benin Agora: In French. Discussion forum on Benin. http://agora.legratos.org/

Benin Concept: Cotonou roofing company. http://www.absynthe.net/benin.htm

Benin. Consulate. Bordeaux, France: http://www.consulat-du-benin.com/

Bénin Contact: Extensive information on Benin, in French, from AUPELF-UREF and REFER (le Réseau électronique francophone d'information.); Benin site: http://www.bj.refer.org
France site: http://www.refer.org/benin_ct/accueil.htm

BENIN Discussion List: "Une liste traitant des questions pouvant interesser plus particulierement les beninois et les amis du Benin..." Unmoderated list. To subscribe, send email to: listserv@listes.ulaval.ca
In the Message area put: subscribe BENIN yourfirstname lastname

Benin. Embassy. France: In French. Describes the government, economy, education, tourism, France - Benin relations, has a biography of the President, a directory of Benin web sites, etc. [KF] http://www.ambassade-benin.org/

Benin. Embassy. United States: Benin's Embassy in Washington, D.C. Benin facts, History, Government & Politics, Business & Economy, People & Culture, Geography, Tourism, The Ambassador, Transportation & Communication. http://www.beninembassy.us

Benin. Gouvernement: In French. Official site. Information on all the Ministries, the Conseil des ministres, the economy and Code of Investment. the Programme d'action du gouvernement 2001-2006. The Institutions section has information on the Presidency, National Assembly, Supreme Court, etc. http://www.gouv.bj/

Benin. Journal Officiel de la République du Bénin (Porto-Novo): Has online "textes législatifs (les lois) et réglementaires (les décrets, les arrêtés et les décisions)." Also has information on the Cour Constitutionnelle, l'Assemblée Nationale, et le Conseil Economique et Social,
The J.O. is similar to the U.S. Federal Register. On the academic site, Benin Contact, from AUPELF-UREF and REFER (le Réseau électronique francophone d'information.) [KF] http://www.bj.refer.org/benin_ct/med/jo/accueil.htm

Benin. Ministère de l’Environnement, de l’Habitat et de l’Urbanisme (MEHU): In French. Includes facts about Benin,map showing the departments (like states), photographs. http://www.mehubenin.net/

Benin. Office des Postes et Telecommunications, O.P.T.: The national telecom company offers, thru BENINET, full internet services in Benin. http://www.opt.bj/

Benin Politics: Blog to "Promote the Beninese experience of good governance and democracy by providing weekly fresh news and analysis on Benin Politics, Government Policy, National Assembly, Political Parties..." Includes a chronology of Benin events since Feb. 1990. Maintained by Alfred Cossi CHODATON. Based in Cotonou, Benin. http://benin-politics.blogspot.com or http://beninpolitics.spaces.live.com/default.aspx

Benin. Tourism: In French. Official site.Travel advice, places to go, food and lodging, embassies, history, government, culture, economy, geography, photographs, etc. [KF] http://www.benintourisme.com/

Beninensis: In French, some pages in English. Extensive directory of web sites about Benin. Links to an audio file of the national anthem, chronology of political events, history from the doctoral dissertation of Dissou Machioudi (1982), "La Palmeraie Béninoise: Exploitation Traditionnelle et Aménagement Volontaire," internet service providers, etc. [KF] http://www.beninensis.net

Beningate: In French. All about Benin. Discussion forums, classifieds, news items from Benin newspapers, penpals section, trade shows, business people. http://www.beningate.com/

Beninweb: In French. Based in Cotonou, Benin. Benin news, tourism information, jobs, etc. Maintained by Nelson Gangbo. http://www.beninweb.org

Boni, Yayi: In French. Site for Dr. Yayi Boni, an economist, elected President of Benin, March 2006 in a run-off with Adrien Houngbedji. Boni succeeds Mathieu Kerekou. He is a former President of the West African Development Bank (BOAD, Banque ouest africaine de développement). BBC report March 23, 2006. http://www.yayiboni.com/

Campbell, W. Joseph - "Beyond the Litany of Limitations: Contexts for the Emergence of Independent Journalism in Sub-Saharan Africa": Full text of the first chaper of Dr. Campbell's book, "The Emergent Independent Press in Benin and Cote d'Ivoire: From Voice of the State to Advocate of Democracy" (Westport, Conn. : Praeger, 1998) Concerns the Ivoirien newspaper, La Voie. http://academic2.american.edu/~wjc/cotechapter.html

Centre Culturel Français: In French. Includes a directory of Benin newspapers and journals, articles from the Benin press, features on Benin artists, etc. http://www.refer.org/benin_ct/tur/ccf/cotonou.htm

Centre Edmond Fortier: In Dutch, English, French. Photographs by Edmond Fortier on historical postcards,1900 - 1910. Has an exhibition of postcards from Tombouctou (1906), Benin (1908), Saint-Louis (1900), Djenné (1905). "Includes photographs of l 'Almami" Samori Touré, the son of El Hajj Umar. As photographer and publisher of postcards, he visited Senegal and Guinea, Mali in 1906, Ivory- coast, Benin and Lagos in 1908..." Sells copies of the postcards. Site maintained by Jacques Krekelaar. [KF] http://home.planet.nl/~kreke003

Centre Songhai (Porto Novo, Benin): In French. NGO promoting agricultural entrepreneurship / rural development. Describes their activities (includes telecentres). Publishes a print magazine L'Aigle de Songhaï. The Centre won the 1993 Hunger Project Africa Prize for Leadership. http://www.songhai.org

Christoph, Henning - Voodoo: Information about a book by photographer H. Christoph and Hans Oberlander on voodoo in Benin, "Voodoo:secret power in Africa" (Koln ; London : Taschen, c1996, 240 p.) On the site of Das Fotoarchiv, a stock photography site in Germany co-owned? by Christoph. http://www.das-fotoarchiv.com/evooproj.htm

clari.world.africa.western: Reuters and AP wire stories on West African countries. Usenet newsgroup created November 1995. [KF]

Committee to Protect Journalists: Based in New York city, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization which does not accept govt. funding. Has a Press Freedom Database.
Main page: http://www.cpj.org
Country page: http://www.cpj.org/attacks99/africa99/Benin.html
Database: http://www.cpj.org/cases/caseindex.html

Conference Ministerielle des Pays les Moins Avances, Ministerial Conference of Least Developed Countries, Cotonou, Benin, aout 2002: In French and English. Conference documents, final report, newsletter, speeches, photographs. http://www.pma.gouv.bj/

Cotonou: "Cotonou is the largest port and city of Benin and de facto capital of Benin......Cotonou is the economic hub of Benin and is the nation's largest urban centre." Directory of links to Benin sites on travel, restaurants, clubs / bars, history, industry, etc. Based in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, part of a chain of travel sites. http://www.cotonou.com/

L'Echo des Frontieres. Bulletin Régional de suivi des échanges transfrontaliers: Academic bulletin, in French, on trade, economic relations between Benin, Cameroun, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria. Has the full text. "...rédigé à Cotonou par le LARES. "Ce site fait partie du réseau Refer mis en place par l'AUPELF-UREF." http://www.bj.refer.org/benin_ct/eco/lares/accueil.htm

Ecole du Patrimoine Africain: In French and English. A university institution with intra-African responsibility to provide training and research in the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. Offers BA and MA degrees, seminars for museum directors. Issues of their Newsletter are online. Hosts the web site of the Musee Historique d'Abomey, hosted an exhibit on the national flag. Has a fund-raising New York affiliate, Friends of African Heritage. Based in Porto-Novo, Bénin with an office in Libreville, Gabon. [KF] http://epa-prema.net/

Election, Presidential 2001: H2.Com - 2001 Presidential Election
In French. Candidate profiles / photographs, the 1991 and 1996 Presidential elections, election billboards / banners. From the Benin internet service provider, H2.Com. http://www.h2com.com/electionbenin/; Candidates
All in French.; Bruno Amoussou - Parti Social Démocrate (PSD)
Site has closed. "Hier Président de l'Assemblée Nationale, 2ème législature, Bruno AMOUSSOU est aujourd'hui Ministre d'Etat chargé de la Coordination de l'Action Gouvernementale, du Plan, du Développement et de la Promotion de l'Emploi." http://www.amoussoucand.org/; Akuavi Marie Elise Christiane Gbedo
Site has closed. Avocate, ancien ministre du commerce et du tourisme du bénin. Première femme candidate à la présidentielle dans l'histoire politique du Bénin. http://www.me-gbedo.com/
Adrien Houngbédji - Parti du Renouveau Democratique
Site has closed. "Elu une deuxième fois Président de l'Assemblée Nationale après les élections législatives de 1999, il a su fédérer une véritable opposition, exerçant un contrôle sur l'action du gouvernement et permettant au Bénin du 3ème millénaire de se conforter dans la voie de la démocratie." http://www.prd-bj.net/
Mathieu Kerekou
Site has closed. http://www.generalkerekou.com/
Nicephore Dieudonne Soglo
Site has closed. "a ete le premier President de la Republique du Benin, democratiquement elu." http://www.soglo.com/

Fomunyoh, Christopher - "Democratization in Fits and Starts": Full text, in Adobe PDF. Fomunyoh is the National Democratic Institute's Senior Associate for Africa. The article is reprinted from the Journal of Democracy, 12:3 (2001). The National Democratic Institute (NDI), is based in Washington, D.C. http://www.accessdemocracy.org/NDI/library/1237_cewa_jdchris72001.pdf

France. Ambassade. Cotonou, Benin: In French. Information on Benin (includes a map, photographs), France-Benin relations (includes statistics on French aid, Benin public finance, diplomatic exchanges, press releases, etc.). http://www.ambafrance-bj.org/

Emotion. Magazine du Showbiz et de la Femme (Cotonou, Benin): In French. http://www.multimania.com/savane99/

GERDDES- Afrique, Groupe d'Etudes et de Recherches sur la Démocratie et le Développement Economique et Social: In French and English. Independent Pan-african NGO created in 1990 by African intellectuals intellectuels "(avocats, juristes, économistes, professeurs d'université, fonctionnaires internationaux, ingénieurs etc.)." Has reports by GERDDES election observers in Benin, Gabon, Senegal, press releases on political events, lists their publications, includes the table of contents for their journal, Démocratie et Développement. Based in Cotonou, Benin. http://www.gerddes.org/

Houngbédji, Adrien: In French. Election site for the 2006 Benin Presidential candidacy of Adrien Houngbédji. Biography, candidate news, photographs, discussion forum, link to the candidate's blog, full text of the 1990 Constitution, bibliography of works on Benin, online polls, supporters in the Diaspora, information on voting for the Diaspora, articles from the Benin press. [KF] http://www.houngbedji2006.com

International Boundaries Reseach Unit, University of Durham: Founded 1989 at the Univ. of Durham (UK). One of its most useful features is a keyword searchable News Database which retrieves articles from the BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, West Africa, Keesings, and other sources. One can also do keyword searches of messages posted to their email discussion list, Int-Boundaries. Has "Summary of National Maritime Claims" (Jan. 1996) which includes African countries, and links to related net resources. [KF] http://www-ibru.dur.ac.uk

International Labour Organisation. Labour Administration - Benin: In English, French, Spanish. Key facts about labor in Benin, lists employer organizations and trade unions, http://www.ilo.org/public/english/dialogue/govlab/admitra/atlas/benin/part1.htm

International Monetary Fund: Official site. Has information on the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF). Locate full text reports (in Adobe pdf format) on Benin economic conditions, statistics, etc. Use their Search to find actions by the IMF affecting Benin. http://www.imf.org/

Internet Society (ISOC) - BENIN: ISOC-BENIN formed in spring 1999 is ISOC's 41st Chapter. http://www.isoc.bj and http://www.afridev.net/isoc-benin/

Laboratoires Vision +: In French. "Laboratoires Vision + vous fournit des verres ophtalmiques de qualité et à des prix défiant toute concurrence." Optician professionals can order online. Based in Cotonou, Benin. http://www.labovisionplus.com

Lohento, Ken - Le Bénin et l'Afrique dans la société de l'information: In French. On information technology in Benin and Africa. Reports on the internet in Benin, links to related sites. Designed to assist ITC development in Benin and Africa. Includes Lohento's memoire, "Radioscopie de la connexion du Bénin à l'internet"; the Annex includes "Chronologie de l'évolution de l'internet au Bénin." [KF] http://www.beninnet.mailme.org/ http://www.iafric.net/benin/

Maps: Maps of Benin, Cotonou, Porto-Novo, Ouidah, Natitingou, Parakou, Abomey. On the personal web site of Fabien Hosatte, a student at l'Ecole d'Ingénieur en Informatique pour l'Industrie (E3i) à Tours. http://depinfo.u-bourgogne.fr/~hosatte/cartes/cartes.html

Investir en zone france - has maps of Benin, Cotonou, Porto Novo. http://www.izf.net/izf/Guide/Benin/Default.htm
: Omni Resources - Benin Maps - Sells maps (minerals, soils, physical, topographic). Also sells continent and regional maps (minerals, oil and gas, geologic, travel, political). Has a flag image. Based in Burlington, North Carolina. http://www.omnimap.com/catalog/int/benin.htm

See also Africa South of the Sahara - Maps

Musée Historique d'Abomey: In French and English. Includes a history of kingdoms and kings in Dahomey (Benin), their geneaology, the museum collections, architecture, a bibliography, a page on the Amazons (women warriors), the creation and history of the famous appliques cloth, a children's section (includes Fon stories, songs, proverbs). Has some great postcards to send (a nice idea for students learning French). [KF] http://epa-prema.net/abomey/

Nos Cousins du Benin: In French. Has photographs of children in southern Benin. http://www.amikpon.org/

Organisation internationale de la Francophonie: An inter-governmental organization for French-speaking countries created in Niamey in 1960 by Leopold S. Senghor, Habib Bourguiba, and Hamani Diori. (Formerly Agence de cooperation Culturelle et Technique, ACCT). Official documents (declarations, accords, symposiums, annual summits). Facts about each African country (from Hachette Livre). http://www.francophonie.org/

ORIDEV: In French and English. An NGO, whose President is Ken LOHENTO. Its goal is to promote development through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Produces an e-newsletter, ORIT@. http://www.oridev.org/
See also
Revue-Orita - "Revue électronique mensuelle gratuite sur l'évolution des NTIC au Bénin." Produite par Oridev. http://www.egroups.com/group/revue_orita

Perspective Afrique: In French. E-journal. "un espace de discussions et d'échanges sur les grands enjeux de politiques publiques, économiques et sociales auxquels font face les pays africains en général et le Bénin en particulier." Web site based in Canada. http://www.perspaf.org/

The first issue, Vol. 1, No. 1 (Mai 2005), includes articles such as
Des limites de l'État aux vertus du marché: effets de la privatisation sur la performance des entreprises publiques - une étude de cas multiples au Bénin

Planet Finance - Benin: In English, French, Spanish. Non profit institution promoting microfinance. Their country profiles provide an overview of the microfinance sector. Links to country rings for Benin and Ethiopia (Sidama Develoment Corp.) and other African countries (click on Afrique). Based in Paris, France. [KF] http://www.planetfinance.org/index.htm

Reporters Without Borders: "The first worldwide index of press freedom has some surprises for Western democracies. The United States ranks below Costa Rica and Italy scores lower than Benin. The five countries with least press freedom are North Korea, China, Burma, Turkmenistan and Bhutan." http://www.rsf.fr/article.php3?id_article=4116

Rural Universe Network: "The RUNetwork pilot project is a collaborative effort of several institutions and communities in Benin, India, Jamaica and South Africa to promote the active participation of rural people in the global information society...." "The objective....is to develop a operational and decentralised information system on the WEB in direct collaboration with the rural communities..."

African partners are The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) South Africa and INRAB, l'Institut National des Recherches Agricoles du Bénin. Will provide current market prices of goods by market place and let producers sell their products using internet cafes. Has a discussion forum. [KF] http://www.dainet.de/runetwork/mainpage.html

Soglo, Nicephore: Biography of the former President of Benin. From the African American Publications web site. http://www.africanpubs.com/Apps/bios/0423SogloNicephore.asp?pic=none

Sonangnon: In French. Aggregates news from Benin newspapers. News by Department. Interviews on Benin issues. Discussion forums. Based in Cotonou, Benin. [KF] http://www.sonangnon.net/

UNESCO. Memory of Africa: UNESCO's presents its la Mémoire virtuelle du Monde / Virtual Memory of the World program for the preservation of archival and library holdings world-wide. http://www.unesco.org/webworld/africa/africa.htm; Features:; Cartes Postales d'Afrique - Historical postcards from Cote d'Ivoire and Benin. http://www.unesco.org/webworld/mdm/visite/cartpafr/fr/present1.html

United States. Central Intelligence Agency. Chiefs of State & Cabinet Members: A list of the President, Cabinet members, the Governor of the Central Bank, the country's Ambassador to the U.S., and its U.N. Representative. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/world-leaders-1/world-leaders-b/benin.html

United States. Central Intelligence Agency. World Factbook: Information on geography, people, government, economy, transportation, communication, defense, etc. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bn.html

U.S. Department of State. Report on Human Rights Practices - Benin: 2008 Report, 2007 Report, 2006 Report, 2005 Report, 2004 Report, 2003 Report, 2002 Report, 2001 Report, 2000 Report, 1999 Report, 1998 Report, 1997 Report , 1996, 1993-1995 Reports. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/hr/

United States. Embassy. Benin: Embassy services, ambassador's biography, holidays observed. http://cotonou.usembassy.gov/

Université d'Abomey-Calavi (UAC) - Bénin: In French. (formerly Université Nationale du Bénin) "L’UAC est la plus grande et la plus ancienne université du Bénin. Elle regroupe six (06) centres universitaires dont quatre sont opérationnels..." Based in Cotonou, Benin. http://www.uac.bj.refer.org/

Université Nationale du Bénin. Ecole du Patrimoine Africain: In French. "L'EPA est un établissement universitaire de formation et de recherche spécialisé de 2ème cycle dans la conservation et la médiation du patrimoine culturel mobilier et immobilier à vocation régionale." Concerned with the preservation of African museum collections in francophone, lusophone and hispanophone Africa. Based in Porto-Novo, Bénin. http://www.epa-prema.net/

Universite Paris 7 - Laboratoire Societes en Developpement dans l'Espace et dans le Temps (SEDET): Multi-disciplinary research unit on comparative studies of the Third World. Includes a list of maîtrise and DES completed at the Universite Nationale de Benin.
http://www.sedet.cicrp.jussieu.fr/sedet/Afrilab/Afrtrav/BENIN.HTM
Univ. Paris 7 site: http://www.sedet.cicrp.jussieu.fr/sedet

Univ. of Pennsylvania African Benin Page and Search Engine: Maps, an embassy directory, travel, language information, etc., created by Julie Sisskind now maintained by Ali Dinar. The UPenn site has a search facility. http://www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/Country_Specific/Benin.html

Verts du Benin, Parti Ecologiste du Bénin: In French, some English. Green Party of Benin, founded by Toussaint Hinvi. Is in a political alliance with l'Union pour la Démocratie et la Solidarité Nationale (UDS). Commentary on the March 2003 election, party activities. Based in Beligum. [KF] http://www.lesvertsdubenin.be.tf/ or http://www.ecolo.be/eghezee/benin/index.htm

Wantchekon, Leonard: Dr. Wantchekon is with the Department of Politics, New York University. Has the syllabus for his courses on "Political Development in Africa" and "Comparative Politics Seminar: Theories of Democratization." He was co-founder of a political party, the Democratic Front of Benin. See also the New York Times article, "Professors offer a reality check for politicians" by Lynnley Browning, August 31, 2002, p. A15, A17. [KF] http://www.nyu.edu/gsas/dept/politics/faculty/wantchekon/wantchekon_home.html

World Bank Group - Benin: Statistics (including gender), data profile, full text reports, projects, news, World Bank contacts. http://web.worldbank.org/

World Bank - Capacity Building in Africa: March 2005 Report assesses World Bank support for public sector capacity building in Africa over the past 10 years based on country studies of Benin, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique. http://www.worldbank.org/oed/africa_capacity_building/

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Please send corrections to Karen Fung.