Republic of Benin

In 1960, Brazil recognized the independence of Dahomey (the name of Benin until 1975) and, in 1961, diplomatic relations were established. The Brazilian Embassy in Cotonou was opened in 2006 following the visit of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The following year, the Embassy of Benin was opened in Brasília, which would remain in operation until 2020.

Cooperation between Brazil and Benin covers initiatives – under negotiation or being developed –  in agriculture, health, education, infrastructure and sports. Some of the main bilateral projects  are related to the development of Benin’s cotton sector, whose implementation is strategic for that country's economy.

A Joint Commission was established in 2005, and meetings were convened in 2009 and in 2011. Over the past years, there has been an important exchange of high-level visits, including the visit to Brazil of President Boni Yayi (2012), and those of Ministers of Foreign Affairs Nassirou Bako-Arifari (2011) and Aurélien Agbénonci (2018), as well as the visit of then Brazil’s foreign minister  to Benin  (2017).

Chronology of the bilateral  relations

2018 – The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Benin, Aurélien Agbénonci visits Brazil (Brasília, April 26), accompanied by the Minister of Economy and Finance, Romuald Wadagni, and by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Cyr Koty

2017 – Minister of Foreign Affairs Aloysio Nunes Ferreira visits Benin (October 14)

2013 – Benin’s Ministers of Finance, Jonas Gbian, of Transport and Public Works, Lambert Koty; and of Development, Marcel de Souza, visit Brazil

2012 – The President of Benin, Boni Yayi, visits  Brazil (March 22-24)

2011 – The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Benin, Nassirou Bako-Arifari, visits Brazil. The Second Session of the Brazil-Benin Joint Commission is held in Brasília (August 23 - 24)

2010 – Benin's Minister of Institutional Relations Zakari Baba Body, Vice-President of the Constitutional Court Assiba Afouda, and Judge Yérima Zim visit  Brasília (October)

2009 – The First Session of the Brazil-Benin Joint Commission is held in Cotonou (March). The First Benin Cultural Week in Brazil takes place in Salvador (November)

2008 – The Minister of Culture, Juca Ferreira, and the Governor of Bahia, Jaques Wagner, visit Cotonou, Ouidah and Porto Novo (September)

2007 – Minister of Foreign Affairs Mariam Diallo visits Brazil. The Minister of Industry and Trade of Benin, Moujaïdou Soumanou, visits Brazil. The President of Benin, Boni Yayi, visits Brazil (August). Official opening ceremony of the Embassy of Benin in Brasília.

2006 – President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visits Benin accompanied by Minister Celso Amorim (February).  Opening of the Brazilian Embassy in Cotonou (March). Benin’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Moujaïdou Soumanou, visits Brazil (March). Opening of the Embassy of Benin in Brasília (October)

2005 – The Embassy of Brazil in Cotonou is created (December)

2005 – Foreign Minister Rogatien Biaou visits Brazil (August)

1994 – The Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert Dossou visits Brazil on the occasion of the 3rd Meeting of the South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone (ZOPACAS)

1988 – Inauguration of the “Benin House” in Salvador and visit by Minister Hazoume

1987 – The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Benin, Ambassador Guy Landry Hazoume, visits Brazil

1980 – Benin’s Minister of Planning, Abou Bakar Baba-Moussa, visits Brazil

1972 – Signing of the Cultural and Technical Cooperation Agreement (July 11)

1972 – Minister of Foreign Affairs Mario Gibson Barboza visits Benin (May)

1961– Establishment of diplomatic relations

1960 – Brazil recognizes the independence of Dahomey (the country would adopt the name “Republic of Benin” only in 1975)

19th century – People enslaved in Brazil return to Dahomey, where they create the community of “agudás”

19th century – The Kingdom of Dahomey, before being colonized, sends ambassadors to independent Brazil