Study in Benin

Want to learn a little more about the countries of the world and gain the advantage on your decision on which country to study abroad!? Make a start with considering Benin! Is studying abroad your dream and you intend to pursue a globally recognized qualification then welcome to RocApply Benin!! We have dedicated this guide to share why an option to study here may be great after all especially if you are a nature lover!!

In many ways the country is the perfect introduction to the African continent. A land of beautiful beaches, bountiful wildlife and hospitable inhabitants, travelling around the country is a doddle thanks to its small size and advanced infrastructure.

Benin is the birthplace of voodoo and one of the major departure points for the more than 8 million people forced to leave the continent as slaves, the country also has a complex and compelling history that filters down into everyday life to create a blend of the familiar and the strange.

Considering to study here is not an offshore idea as one may be compelled to think because of the slave past associated with the country, a try will prove priceless! If you choose to stay in the south you will experience Benin’s major cities, the slightly chaotic yet vibrant commercial hub of Cotonou and the laid back capital Porto Novo.

On weekends you can take some time out from the capital’s lagoon-side location and palm-fringed Atlantic beaches to request an audience with the tribal princes of Ajase, Porto Novo’s ancestral name, while exploring the palace museum.

Not only that! You can head along the coast to experience the unique lives of the Tofinu people at Ganvea bamboo stilt village often referred to as the Venice of Africa; Or take advantage of the country’s small size and good roads to explore the spectacular countryside, which harbours remote towns and exquisite national parks.

Habitat to lions, hippos and elephants, not to mention myriad bird species, Benin’s flagship national park is Pendjari, which serves up spectacular fauna without the congestions.

This country is certainly an attraction to many students intending to study abroad! Small in size but not in stature, Benin has something to suit every interest, be it the wild landscapes of the north, the buzzing metropolises of the south, or the shared religion and history that bind this country and its people together.

The country has a thriving arts scene that has given rise to stunning public sculptures and fantastic architecture, which complement the elegance of the wooden Afro-Brazilian mansions of Porto Novo and Ouidah.

The latter is the beating heart of Benin’s voodoo practitioners and a vital destination for those interested studying History of the Atlantic slave trade.

We are committed to make sure your desire to study in Benin does not fall void with our RocApply team that is placed to serve to your best interest. All you have to do is choose which university you want here and APPLY for FREE! Are you still thinking?! Apply NOW!!

About Benin

If you are still wondering what and where Benin is, then you’re not alone. RocApply has dedicated this guide to introduce this beautiful country and remember to toggle through all our filters to learn more about Benin.

There’s so much that encompasses Benin that has even many search engines don’t show! We have compressed what you need to know about this beautiful gem our website.

The country played a key role in the development of the African slave trade and was also the birthplace of the voodoo arts. These two ingredients are just a small part of the recipe that makes the complex and rich history of this beautiful African nation.

The nation is relatively small and has only a few large cities but Benin begs to be explored and rewards travellers with museums, wonderful architecture and markets that are uniquely memorable.

The national beauty of Benin also has a lot to tempt expats. From the paradise Atlantic beaches fringed with palm trees to the national parks teeming with exotic beasts such as lions, cheetahs and elephants as well as rare bird species.

The country may occupy a dangerous looking region of Africa but it is remarkably suited to tourism and is truly an untouched destination. The roads are good here and the amenities for visitors are better than in many other African countries.

A trip to Benin will feel like a true adventure as there’s still so much to discover and the country is only just beginning its life as a tourist destination. The nation is a good introduction to Africa as it has it all: great wildlife, great beaches, great people and culture and it cater well for tourists without feeling like a tourist destination.

The country is not new to tourism chart for this reason and presents travelers with unforgettable experiences.

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From a scenic point, this bight stretches along a beautiful coastline that once formed the center of the Slave Trade. Now it’s a bay where tourists sail along the coast of Africa.

Stop at any of the countries where the bight borders such as Togo, Ghana and Nigeria and sail along this bight that is part of the beautiful Benin.

Charter a boat or stowaway on a container or simply take a day trip from one of the coastal towns on your vacation and enjoy the study

Cotonou is Benin's largest and most important city. Its market, the sprawling Dantokpa, covers a whopping 20 hectares and sells everything from toothbrushes to fresh fruit; a great way to figure the city..

The nearby Foundation Zinsou, which promotes modern African art, is also well worth a visit. Another city for explores is Abomey! The dusty city of Abomey is home to the eponymous Abomey Historical Museum, which gives an insight into the history of the Abomey Kingdom and contains a throne made of human skulls.

Whilst you are in town, pay a visit to the opulent royal palaces, swing by the Fetish Temple and peruse the local wares at the Centre Artisanal. This country has so much to offer!

About Benin Economy

Despite many efforts to reduce it, the poverty rate remains high (40.2%, UNDP). According to the World Bank, unemployment rate in Benin was around 2% in 2019. This is in a context where the country ranked 163rd worldwide on the UNDP’s 2019 Human Development Index.

The Port of Cotonou is the country’s key centre of economic activity. Strategically located, the port facilitates goods transit from Togo all the way to Mali. This creates an informal trade sector, while also enabling the development of logistics.

Benin intends to develop this asset further, but corruption and competition from other large regional ports remain significant obstacles to its plans.

The country’s energy dependency, degree of corruption and rapid population growth are some of roadblocks hindering economic growth.

Inadequate infrastructure reduces the profitability of economic activity and is an obstacle to growth. The economy is characterized by low productivity and a predominantly informal economy, which reinforces structural imbalances and widens the gap between real and potential growth.

The structure of the economy has remained more or less stable since 2000 (the primary sector accounts for 26.4% of GDP, the tertiary sector dominates at 49.2%, and the secondary sector is little developed at 16.4%).

The economy must address a trend decline in total factor productivity in agriculture and industry. Agricultural productivity remains low and the industrial structure is based on agribusiness, manufacturing, construction, and public works.

The weak performance of the education, healthcare, and social welfare sectors is notable. In addition, both population growth (2.8%) and underemployment (67.2%) are very high.

The country remains highly exposed to changes in the trade and currency policies of Nigeria, Benin’s leading trading partner and the recipient of 51% of its exports

Benin's economy is heavily reliant on the informal re-export and transit trade with Nigeria (estimated at approximately 20% of GDP), and on agriculture. Despite a recent downward trend, the poverty rate remains high, at 46.4% in 2018, with a poverty line of $1.90 a day in purchasing power parity.

Economic activity accelerated to 6.7% in 2018 from 5.8% in 2017 (a per capita GDP growth rate of 3.8%), driven by vibrant port activity (+8.5% in 2018) and a sound agricultural sector buoyed by record cotton production (+17% in 2018) and the diversification of emerging export sectors (pineapple, cashew nuts). Growth was also driven by the lagged effect of public investments (particularly infrastructure) and a vibrant services sector.

Inflation remains moderate at 1% in 2018, in view of the prudent monetary policy implemented at the regional level.

The fiscal deficit (including grants) fell from 5.9% to 4% of GDP between 2017 and 2018 owing to higher revenues and lower capital expenditures. However, the debt-to-GDP ratio increased, from 54.4% in 2017 to 56.8% in 2018.

While an adjustment reduced outstanding domestic debt from 32.4% to 30.3% of GDP in October 2018, outstanding external debt increased sharply from 4.4% to 26.5% of GDP.

The current balance deficit (excluding grants) fell from 10.2% in 2017 to 8.5% in 2018, caused by an increase in agricultural exports and a reduction in food imports. The key export products in 2018 were cotton, cashew nuts, and pineapples, while energy and petroleum products made up the bulk of imports.

DISCLAIMER: Due to the sensitivity of economic information and data privacy, RocApply publishes only authentic indices as gathered from relevant and trusted sources as attached; Sources: UNDP Reports The World Bank Reports The IMF Reports

Why Study in Benin

Affordability

The cost of studying and living in here is significantly lower when compared to many other countries around the world, especially in Africa. The myth that Slave Trade countries are expensive to live in for students is nullified herer! The academic costs are very affordable, international students also have the opportunity to pursue part-time employment to support their education.

Easy to travel

The application procedure for studying in Benin is quite seamless and so also is the visa and immigration processes. Foreign students find that they integrate very easily into the Beninese system. Securing a student visa is also very straightforward for many nationalities under the present arrangements, continuously welcoming students who wish to solely study in the country.

Internationally accredited

Study in Benin and get the advantage of an international certificate that is accepted anywhere in the world. Beninese degrees are of international repute and standards with multiple possibilities for global success within and outside the country. When you have a certificate from any of its institutions you will have higher prospects to get employment on the international stage!

Exposure

In keeping with its future goals, the educational sector here has been reformed and remodeled to measure up to what is obtained in many western societies today. With key interests in productivity, research, and innovation, higher education students are taught with some of the best standards under some of the best conditions and by some of the best lecturers in the world.

Scholarships in Benin

Students prospecting to study in Benin looking for PhD scholarship, Masters Scholarships, or Undergraduate scholarships to fund their education abroad can now check with RocApply Scholarship page for updates form the universities and the Beninese aids.

The list of scholarships range from fully funded to limited support or tuition fee waiver and we are committed to helping students acquire them!!

Benin scholarships and grants are available for Beninese and foreign students from developing countries to study abroad alike. International and national colleges and universities offer financial aids in the form of scholarships to the students here.

This page keeps you aware of much about what’s available. Benin scholarships and awards are offered for both the natives and foreigners at different course levels i.e. Undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate and postdoctoral or research program.

Tuition fees and living costs are generally significantly low in Benin than in the rest of the neighborhood, thus a little extra funding is still likely to come in handy for many international students. In fact tuition is free in Public Universities here.

While some are government scholarships, others are offered by individual universities or external organizations, for students at all levels of study. With its competitive institutions, Benin offers excellent opportunities for students.

Benin Student Visa

It is never easy to understand how to get a student visa abroad, in Benin the procedures don’t take long. RocApply has decided to write a functional guide to help you understand the essential procedures and actions step by step.

There are many excellent universities in Benin. The universities, colleges, and schools are well-known in the academic community. A vast number of international students are willing to get an education in the best universities here.

To study in one of these universities, international students must get a Beninese student visa depending on their country of origin. RocApply has made it easy for you to follow what documentation may be needed upon visa application on this guide! It is, however, advised to always check with the consulate/embassy for more details on visa requirements.