Cotonou - Transportation and Economy

6°24N 2°31E, pop (2000e) 831 800. Port in Ouémé province, S Benin, W Africa; on a sandspit between the Bight of Benin and L Nokoué; largest city in Benin, and its political and economic centre, though not the official capital; seat of the Presidency, most ministries, the National Assembly, and all embassies; centre for most commercial activities; airport; railway; university (1970); vegetable oils, soap, brewing, textiles, power plant.

Cotonou is the economic capital of Benin, as well as its largest city. The urban area continues to expand, notably in the west of the city. The city lies in the south east of the country, between the Atlantic Ocean and Nokoué Lake, located at 6°22' North, 2°26' East (6.36667, 2.4333).

In addition to being Benin's largest city, it houses many of its government and diplomatic services, and thus it is Benin's de facto capital, even though the official capital is Porto-Novo. The city is best known as a major port, thanks to the Autonomous Port of Cotonou, it is also home to an airport and a railway to Parakou. Features of Cotonou include Cotonou Friendship Stadium, Cotonou Cathedral, Cotonou Central Mosque and the 20-hectare Dantokpa Market, which includes a fetish market and has a commercial throughput of over a million CFA Francs every day.

Transportation and Economy

The Autonomous Port of Cotonou is one of the largest ports in West Africa. The city is connected to Parakou in the north of the country by the Benin-Niger railway. Cotonou International Airport provides service to the capitals of the region and to France, as well as the major cities of Benin: Parakou, Kandi, Natitingou, Djougou and Savè.

Because of these connections, Cotonou has become a crossroads of West African commerce, with much trade moving here from Abidjan because of the Ivorian Civil War. The city is a so-called 'market town,' enabling trade with the countries of the African interior, such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. In addition to the port, there is a free trade zone in the interior of the city for use by the landlocked Saharan states. However, the city is rife with corruption and illegal trade, especially with neighbouring Nigeria. It can be considered the economic capital as it houses two thirds of Benin's industries and is the headquarters of the major enterprises and banks of Benin. Motor vehicles and bicycles are assembled, and there are sawmills in the city. The city is also a centre for the automotive trade, with European brands being sold from vast open-air parking lots.