There have been several changes made to the Beninian flag. On November 16, 1959, it was initially enacted, but once the Marxist administration was overthrown in 1975, it was never used again.
The flag was later introduced once again on August 1st, 1990 when the Marxist administration was overthrown.
Benin’s national flag has three stripes: a red horizontal stripe above a yellow horizontal stripe on the right side of the flag, and a green vertical stripe on the left side.
Traditional Pan-African colours are employed in the flag.
| Official Name: | Republic of Benin |
| Proportion: | 2:3 |
| Adopted on: | August 1, 1990 |
| Location: | West Africa is bordered by Togo, Nigeria, Bight of Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger |
| Capital City: | Porto-Novo |
| Major Cities: | Cotonou, Djougou, Banikoara, Bohicon, Cove, Dassa-Zoume |
| Area: | 43,484 square miles |
| Population: | 9,325,032 |
| Currency: | West African CFA franc (XOF) |
| Official Language: | French |
| National Anthem: | The Dawn of a New Day |
| National symbol(s): | leopard |
| National colors: | green, yellow, red |
| National anthem: | The dawn of a new day |
| Name: | “L’Aube Nouvelle” (The Dawn of a New Day) |
| Lyrics/Music: | Gilbert Jean DAGNON |
Historical Background
The current design of the Benin flag was officially adopted on November 16, 1959, before the country gained independence from French colonial rule. The flag’s design has remained unchanged since then, symbolizing the enduring principles and aspirations of Benin.
Design and Colors
The Benin flag features two horizontal bands of equal width. The top band is green, and the bottom band is yellow. These colors are arranged horizontally, with the green band on top and the yellow band below it.
Symbolism of the Benin Flag
Each color on the Benin flag holds significant symbolism. The green band represents hope, fertility, and the lush vegetation of the country. It symbolizes the agricultural wealth and natural resources of Benin. The yellow band symbolizes wealth, progress, and the bright future of the nation. It represents the aspirations of the Beninese people for prosperity and development.