Benin economic still in step of development and rest at agriculture and especially in cotton production and rest at regional Trade with boarder countries.  The unorganized sector represented 95% in the national economic and formed  lack of natural resources for energy production  a major impediment to economic development but the countries. But the state is seeking to feel this deficit in the construction of the power plant and diversify the field of solar energy.

In addition the country has access to mineral resources such as gold, bauxite, phosphate, limestone, marble and some precious stones such as diamonds, iron, nickel, gravel, and Kleene. Recently, oil pockets were discovered at the seashore.

Benin is working to attract foreign investment for the development of the country. Therefore the current President has made many reforms in all fields and plans his work in a program that has been launched and named “discovered Benin”.

In addition to the economic and administrative importance of Cotonou the city has cultural and institutional spaces including the Zinsou foundation and the Olympic museum of Benin it is characterized by the emergence of activities related to the promotion of various cultural sectors including cinema literature, music and sculpture.

On the other hand Benin is the cradle of vodoun culture and is a physical linguistic artistic therapeutic and ritual expression that constitutes the cultural depth of many countries Benin, Togo, Ghana and Nigeria.

Investment laws

• Registration and documentation: those who wishing to import must obtain an import card from the Ministry of tourism  and grafts worth 30000F cfa and the payment of an annual amount to be determined by the chamber of commerce and industry. The contribution paid to the chamber of commerce and industry is payable for the first year 50000 for citizens and 150 000 for foreign.

   

• Required documents: importers invoice, purchase invoice, bill of loading, insurance premiums, certificate of origin, customs assessment certificate and sometimes a certificate of customs clearance and health certificate. 

 

• Conditions to be met in foreign investments:

- The exercise of any work and provision is free in Benin.
- The import of any goods to Benin shall be permitted, except that may pose a threat to the security of the State or public health, affect public morals or be of a strategic nature.
- Does not require any license or fees register the products of foreign companies before exporting to Benin.

• Taxes on projects: The Benin government has undertaken extensive reforms to simplify taxation and make it more effective. For projects with a cost of more than 40 million F cfa: business taxes are fixed a amounts calculated according to economic activity and relative expenses are calculated according to the rental value of the buildings of the companies. Projects that do not exceed 40 million cfa: a commercial tax of 26% of the value of corporate buildings is imposed. This tax replaces all other taxes which include business taxes.