Canada-Benin relations
On this page
- Bilateral relations
- Trade relations
- Development and humanitarian assistance
- Peace and security
- Partnerships and organizations
Bilateral relations
Canada and Benin established diplomatic relations in 1962, shortly after Benin gained its independence in 1960. Canada and Benin enjoy a positive bilateral relationship. Although relations between the two countries are limited, they work together in multilateral forums such as La Francophonie and the United Nations, as well as through development cooperation and trade.
Canada is represented in Benin by the Embassy of Canada to Burkina Faso, in Ouagadougou.. An office of the embassy opened in Cotonou in 2016. Benin is represented in Canada by the Embassy of Benin to the United States in Washington D.C.
Beninese students in Canada
In 2017, 610 Beninese students held valid permits to study in Canada. Education is an important sector in Canada-Benin relations. There are several partnerships between Beninese and Canadian universities.
Trade relations
Canada and Benin have a stable, long-standing trade relationship. The most promising growth sectors are in the following areas: agriculture, energy, telecommunications, education and vocational training, and road and rail infrastructure. Bilateral merchandise trade between the two countries totalled about $33 million in 2018, including nearly $31.5 million in Canadian exports to Benin and slightly more than $1.3 million in Canadian imports from the country. Canada’s top five exports to Benin are motor vehicles and parts, meat, textiles, electrical and electronic equipment, and machinery.
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Development and humanitarian assistance
From April 2011 to March 2021, Canada provided over $258 million in development assistance to Benin. This includes $38.26 million for the 2020 to 2021 fiscal year (from April 1 to March 21), of which $29.61 million came from Global Affairs Canada. The development program is in line with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy and with Benin’s Government Action Plan for 2021 to 2026, emphasizing gender equality, the empowerment of women and girls and human dignity (sexual and reproductive health among adolescent girls). The development program also includes initiatives for green economic growth (development of microfinance, youth employability and climate resilient agriculture).
Please visit the Project Browser for more details on programming in Benin.
Peace and security
Canada is helping strengthen regional cooperation designed to combat human smuggling between Benin, Togo and Ghana through activities to make common borders more secure and improve information sharing and coordination mechanisms. Benin also benefits from the Canadian Armed Forces’ Military Training Cooperation Program.
Partnerships and organizations
To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Benin work closely in multilateral fora, such as:
- La Francophonie
- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
- International Criminal Court (ICC)
- United Nations (UN)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
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