HomeCountries & Areas…Benin hide Benin Subscribe View Fact Sheet Embassies & Consulates Bureau of African Affairs International Travel Information What you need to know before you go: visas, Embassy & Consulate locations, vaccinations, etc. International Travel Information: Learn More Current Travel Advisories Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution Learn More U.S. Relationship These are excerpts from the U.S. Relations With Benin U.S.-Benin Relations U.S. Assistance to Benin Bilateral Economic Relations U.S.-Benin Relations The U.S. established diplomatic relations with Benin in 1960, following its independence from France. The U.S. supports the consolidation of democracy and economic liberalization in Benin. Legislative and presidential elections in 2015 and 2016, respectively, were peaceful and benefited from strong citizen participation and robust press freedom. Poor health care, the low quality of public education, and endemic corruption, however, The U.S. established diplomatic relations with Benin in 1960, following its independence from France. The U.S. supports the consolidation of democracy and economic liberalization in Benin. Legislative and presidential elections in 2015 and 2016, respectively, were peaceful and benefited from strong citizen participation and robust press freedom. Poor health care, the low quality of public education, and endemic corruption, however, persist as obstacles to national development. Collapse U.S.-Benin Relations Read more about U.S.-Benin Relations U.S. Assistance to Benin The U.S. supports efforts to improve the health of Beninese families by reducing the malaria disease burden, improving the health of mothers and young children, and strengthening the health system. U.S. assistance also provides support to Benin’s defense and military capacity enhancement, enabling the country to maintain domestic peace and security while contributing to regional stability. Bilateral Economic Relations Benin is eligible for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The U.S. aims to promote increased trade with Benin and to stimulate U.S. investment in key sectors such as energy, telecommunications, and transportation. Benin and the U.S. have a bilateral investment agreement. The U.S. also has a trade and investment framework agreement with the West African Benin is eligible for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The U.S. aims to promote increased trade with Benin and to stimulate U.S. investment in key sectors such as energy, telecommunications, and transportation. Benin and the U.S. have a bilateral investment agreement. The U.S. also has a trade and investment framework agreement with the West African Economic and Monetary Union, of which Benin is a member. Collapse Bilateral Economic Relations Read more about Bilateral Economic Relations Integrated Country Strategies The Integrated Country Strategy is the four-year strategy articulating U.S. priorities in a given country. The Chief of Mission leads the strategy. View Integrated Country Strategies Investment Climate Statements The Investment Climate Statements analyze a variety of economies that are or could be markets for U.S. businesses and provide information on the business climates. View Investment Climate Statements Fiscal Transparency Report The Fiscal Transparency Report analyzes government transparency and identifies needed changes to improve public spending accountability. View Fiscal Transparency Report Discover More 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2022 Report on International Religious Freedom 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report View all Department Reports and Publications COVID-19 Vaccine Deliveries Since July, 2021 the United States has donated 2,418,390 safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine doses with the people of Benin. This includes 1,107,990 Pfizer and 1,310,400 J&J doses. Of the 2,418,390 vaccine doses, 86% were donated in partnership with COVAX and 14% were donated through AVAT. The United States is committed to leading an international and coordinated effort to accelerate access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines to meet global needs. The United States is working with other governments and partners including COVAX, Caricom, and the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT) to protect communities from COVID-19 and apply lessons from this pandemic to enhance health security now and in the future. Learn more about our work Delivering Vaccines and on COVID-19 Recovery. More Vaccine Deliveries Highlights February 21, 2024 Countering the Spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction February 2, 2024 Joint Statement on the Proliferation Security Initiative African Political Meeting and Outreach Event Marrakesh Co-Chairs’ Summary February 2, 2024 Proliferation Security Initiative African Political Meeting and Outreach Event February 1, 2024 FY 23 DRL Promoting Peaceful Elections in Benin January 30, 2024 Cotonou, Benin: QSI International School of Benin- 2024 Special Needs Profile VIEW ALL NEWS Tags Benin Bureau of African Affairs