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Benin
Your guide to the employment landscape, working customs and local labor laws in Benin
Capital
Porto-Novo
Currency
West African CFA Franc (CFA)
Languages
French
GDP per Capita
$1,428.40 (2021)
Employer Tax
16.4% - 19.4%
Payroll Frequency
Daily, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly
Benin is a country in Western Africa that was formerly known as Dahomey. It was the first African country to successfully transition from a dictatorship to a democracy in the 1990s. Around 65% of the population in Benin is 25 years old, and the median age here is just 17. This country’s economy is mainly dependent on agriculture, specifically cotton.
Major economic hubs:
Porto-Novo, Cotonou, Parakou
Skills in demand:
Local: 1
World: 6,944
Local: 2
World: 9,743
Local: 3
World: 11,998
Institut Supérieur des Métiers de l’Audiovisuel
Local: 4
World: 12,174
Université Catholique de l’Afrique de l’Ouest
Local: 5
World: 12,547
381,900
Top Local Job Boards:
Top Local Job Boards
Number of LinkedIn users:
Number of LinkedIn users
Top Recruitment Agencies:
Some of the popular jobs and their annual salaries are listed below:
| Job Title | Average Monthly Salary (CFA) | Average Monthly Salary (USD) |
| General Manager | 627,000 | 1015 |
| Sales Manager | 569,000 | 921 |
| Information Technology Manager | 563,000 | 912 |
| Human Resources Manager | 532,000 | 862 |
| Accounting Manager | 506,000 | 820 |
Below are the key points an employer must keep in mind while seeking employees in Benin.
Employment contracts in Benin must be drafted in the local language and clearly state the compensation, benefits, and termination requirements. They can be for both fixed periods and indefinite periods. However, fixed-period contracts can be drafted for up to 48 months only.
The probationary period for employees in Benin can be from 15 days to 3 months based on type of employment.
| Date | Name | Type |
| January 1 | New Year | National Holiday |
| January 9 | Day Off for Vodoun Festival | National Holiday |
| January 10 | Vodoun Festival | National Holiday |
| March 31 | Korité | National Holiday |
| April 21 | Easter Monday | National Holiday |
| May 1 | Labour Day | National Holiday |
| May 29 | Ascension Day | National Holiday |
| June 7 | Tabaski | National Holiday |
| June 9 | Whit Monday | National Holiday |
| August 1 | Independence Day | National Holiday |
| August 15 | Assumption of Mary | National Holiday |
| September 5 | Maouloud | National Holiday |
| November 1 | All Saints’ Day | National Holiday |
| December 25 | Christmas Day | National Holiday |
| Type of Leave | Duration | Mandatory |
| Annual Leave | 24 days | Dependent on Employment Contract |
| Sick Leave | 6 – 12 months based on years of service | Dependent on Employment Contract and duration |
| Maternity Leave | 14 weeks | Dependent on Employment Contract |
Probation period
Leave compliance
Public and provincial holidays
Payroll cycle
Employees in Benin can be paid daily, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly.
Minimum wage
The national minimum wage is XOF 52,000 (West African francs) per month for employees in the private sector.
Overtime pay
Maximum overtime permitted in Benin, overtime must not exceed a total of 12 hours worked per day (or 60 hours per week), paid:
For additional daytime hours
Between 41 and 48 hours – 12% of the hourly rate
Beyond hour 48 – 35% of the hourly rate
Sundays and holidays – 50% of the hourly rate
For additional night hours
50% of the weekly hourly rate
100% of the hourly rate for Sundays and holidays
| Type of Contribution | Contribution | Maximum Monthly Cap of Contribution (XOF) |
| Social Security contributions | 15.40% | |
| Contribution for Pension | 6.40% | |
| Contribution for Family Allowance | 9.00% | |
| Contribution for Industrial Injury Assistance | 4.00% | Range of Contribution is 1 % – 4 % |
| Type of Tax | Rate |
| Social Security | 3.6% |
| Annual Taxable Income (West African CFA Franc, XOF) | Income Tax Rate |
| 0 to 60,000 | 0% |
| 60,001 to 150,000 | 10% |
| 150,001 to 250,000 | 15% |
| 250,001 to 500,000 | 20% |
| Above 500,000 | 30% |
VAT in Benin is charged at 18%.
Benin has no legal provision for 13th-month pay.
Employment in Benin can be terminated both by the employee and the employer. The employer can terminate the employment on substantial grounds. If the employment is terminated without any grounds, the employer must pay a severance to the employee.
Benin’s notice period for permanent employees and employees on probation is a minimum of 15 days.
Severance pay in Benin depends on the years of service. Employees who have served for less than five years are entitled to 30% of their average monthly salary. Employees who have served 6 – 10 years are entitled to 35% of their average monthly salary. For employees who have served more than ten years, a severance amounting to 40% of their average monthly salary must be paid.
A visa and a work permit are mandatory requirements for foreign nationals seeking jobs in Benin. The employer must introduce the employee by name, date of birth, passport number, and employment status. The employer must take financial responsibility for the employee. The employee must obtain a visa before entering the country since a visa on arrival is not permitted.
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