List of Beninese people

This article contains a list of notable Beninese people, in order by profession, followed by alphabetical order by last name. To be included in this list, the person must have a Wikipedia article.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by editing the page to add missing items, with references to reliable sources.

Actors, musicians, and entertainers

Zeynab Habib (born 1975)

• Marcelline Aboh (1940–2017), also known as Détin Bonsoir, filmmaker and actress
• Bella Agossou (born 1981), Beninese-born Spanish actress
• Angélique Kidjo (born 1960), Beninese-born French musician and actress
• Zeynab Habib (born 1975) Ivorian-born Beninese and Yoruba singer
• Djimon Hounsou (born 1964) Beninese-born American actor
• Eléphant Mouillé (born 1969) actor, singer
• Pipi Wobaho, actor, singer, comedian

Politicians, activists, and political leaders

See also: List of presidents of Benin

Justin Ahomadégbé-Tomêtin (1917–2002)

• Justin Ahomadégbé-Tomêtin (1917–2002), president of the National Assembly of Dahomey, from 1959 to 1960
• Alphonse Alley (1930–1987), army officer and political figure
• Bruno Amoussou (born 1939), president of the National Assembly of Benin, from 1995 to 1999
• Sourou-Migan Apithy (1913–1989), president of Dahomey, from 1964 to 1965
• Martin Azonhiho, politician
• Rogatien Biaou (born 1952), politician and diplomat
• Thomas Boni Yayi (born 1951), president of Benin, from 2006 to 2016
• Tahirou Congacou (1911–1993), president of the National Assembly of Dahomey, from 1964 to 1965
• Grace d'Almeida (1951–2005), lawyer, feminist, and human rights activist
• Mariam Boni Diallo (born 1952), minister of Foreign Affairs, from 10 April 2006 to 17 June 2007
• Frédéric Dohou (born 1961), politician
• Pascal Fantodji (?–2010), founder of the Communist Party of Benin (PCB), former professor
• Jerome Sacca Kina Guezere (1952–2005), politician
• Adrien Houngbédji (born 1942), politician
• Simon Idohou (born 1950), politician
• Mathieu Kérékou (1933–2015), president of Benin, from 1996 to 2006
• Maurice Kouandété (1932–2003), military officer and politician
• Hubert Maga (1916–2000), Dahomey politician, former president
• Théophile Nata (1947–2022), politician
• Pierre Osho (born 1945), politician
• Orou Gabé Orou Sego, politician
• Ismaël Tidjani Serpos, politician
• Seïdou Mama Sika (born 1949), politician
• Christophe Soglo (1909–1983), military officer and political leader
• Nicéphore Soglo (born 1934), politician
• Rosine Vieyra Soglo (1934–2021), politician
• Émile Derlin Zinsou (1918–2016), politician and physician, former president

Sports people, and athletes

Réda Johnson (born 1988)

Footballers

• Dinalo Adigo (born 1972), former footballer and coach
• Anicet Adjamossi (born 1984), footballer
• Moustapha Agnidé (born 1981), footballer
• Maxime Agueh (born 1978), footballer
• Jocelyn Ahouéya (born 1985), footballer
• Rodrigue Akpakoun (born 1974), footballer
• Noëlle Amouzoun (born 1998), footballer
• Romuald Boco (born 1985), footballer
• Rachad Chitou (born 1976), footballer
• Damien Chrysostome (born 1982), footballer
• Laurent D'Jaffo (born 1970), footballer
• Alain Gaspoz (born 1970), footballer
• Aude Gbedjissi (born 1998), footballer
• Yolande Gnammi (born 2000), footballer
• Réda Johnson (born 1988), footballer
• Moussoro Kabirou (born 1983), footballer
• Moussa Latoundji (born 1978), former footballer, team manager
• Mouritala Ogunbiyi (born 1982), footballer
• Jonas Okétola (born 1983), footballer
• Wassiou Oladipupo (born 1983), footballer
• Sylvain Remy (born 1980), footballer
• Stéphane Sessègnon (born 1984), footballer
• Félicien Singbo (born 1980), footballer
• Samuel Emmanuel Suka (born 1983), footballer
• Oumar Tchomogo (born 1978), footballer
• Séïdath Tchomogo (born 1985), footballer
• Tony Toklomety (born 1984), footballer

Gymnasts

• Amdivie Kouhounha (born 2001), gymnast

Referees

• Coffi Codjia (born 1967), football referee

Swimmers

• Ionnah Eliane Douillet (born 2007), swimmer
• Gloria Koussihouede (born 1989), swimmer
• Alexis Kpadi (born 2005), swimmer
• Nafissath Radji (born 2002), swimmer
• Laraïba Seibou (born 2000), swimmer

Visual artist, and designers

Main article: List of Beninese artists

Writers

Main article: List of Beninese writers

• Olympe Bhely-Quenum (born 1928), writer, journalist and magazine editor
• Lucille Clifton (1936–2010) American poet, of Benin heritage
• Jacob Egharevba (1893–1981) historian, traditional chief
• Paulin J. Hountondji (1942–2024), philosopher

Others

• Bernardin Gantin (1922–2008), Catholic cardinal
• Kojo Tovalou Houénou (1887–1936), Pan-Africanist intellectual and doctor
• Zomahoun Idossou Rufin (born 1964), Benin ambassador to Japan
• Arlette Dagnon Vignikin (born 1951), Benin ambassador to Scandinavia

See also

• Biography portal
• Lists portal