🇧🇯 Benin

Benin is a narrow West African country of 13 million people with a GDP around $19 billion. It was the birthplace of the Vodun (Voodoo) religion, which is still officially practiced by about 17% of the population. The historic Kingdom of Dahomey, famous for its all-female warrior regiment (the Amazons), was based here. Cotonou, the economic capital, is one of West Africa's busiest port cities. Benin has been one of the more stable democracies in West Africa, though recent political changes have raised concerns about democratic backsliding.

Cotton is king — Benin is one of Africa's largest cotton producers, and it accounts for about 40% of export revenue. Re-export trade with Nigeria (both formal and informal) is a massive economic driver given the shared border. GDP growth has been solid at 5-6% annually. The government has invested heavily in infrastructure and tourism, particularly around the historic slave trade sites at Ouidah.

Benin's annual Voodoo Festival on January 10th draws practitioners from around the world — it's a national holiday. The country is also demanding the return of royal treasures looted by France in 1892, and has successfully repatriated 26 artifacts from the Musée du Quai Branly. Benin's Ganvié is the largest lake village in Africa, home to 30,000 people living entirely on stilts.

Benin's economic growth is real but narrow. Cotton dependency and the informal Nigeria trade create vulnerabilities, though the tourism and infrastructure push shows ambition.