Flag of Benin
countryThe flag of Benin was adopted on August 1, 1990. Vertical green band with two horizontal bands. It uses 3 colours: green, yellow and red. The official proportions are 2:3.
Hoist
Ratio 2:3
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Benin |
|---|---|
| Country | Benin |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Benin |
| Capital | Porto-Novo |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Western Africa |
| ISO Country Code | BJ / BEN |
| Internet Domain | .bj |
| Calling Code | +229 |
| Currency | West African CFA franc (XOF) |
| National Language(s) | French |
| Demonym | Beninese |
| Area | 112,622 km² |
| Population | 14 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Benin |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | August 1, 1990 |
| First Used | 1959 |
| Current Version Adopted | August 1, 1990 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Green, Yellow, Red |
| Design Type | Vertical green band with two horizontal bands |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Benin |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | #008751 | 0, 135, 81 | 100, 0, 40, 47 | |
| Yellow | #FCD116 | 252, 209, 22 | 0, 17, 91, 1 | |
| Red | #E8112D | 232, 17, 45 | 0, 93, 81, 9 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Green colour | Represents hope and the palm groves of the south |
|---|---|
| Yellow colour | Represents the savannahs of the north |
| Red colour | Represents the courage of the ancestors |
| Pan-African colours | Shared with Ghana and Ethiopia as a mark of African unity |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1959 | The design was first used |
| 1990-08-01 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Width | 2 units (hoist) |
| Length | 3 units (fly) |
Benin Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Benin
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 36 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | August 1, 1990 |
| Oldest Version | 1959 |
| Most Common Color | Green |
| Similar Flags | Central African Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar |
| Unique Feature | Vertical green band with two horizontal bands |
Other combined horizontal and vertical bands flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Benin
- The flag was adopted at independence in 1959, replaced in 1975 by a green flag with a red star under a Marxist government, and restored unchanged in 1990.
- It was one of the first flags to combine the Pan-African colours in this particular arrangement, with green as a vertical band at the hoist.
- The flag of Benin was officially adopted on August 1, 1990.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1959, 31 years before it was formally made the flag of Benin.
- The flag in its present form is 36 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Vertical green band with two horizontal bands.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: green, yellow and red.
- The green on the flag stands for hope and the palm groves of the south.
- The yellow on the flag stands for the savannahs of the north.
- The red on the flag stands for the courage of the ancestors.
- Pan-African colours: Shared with Ghana and Ethiopia as a mark of African unity.
- The design belongs to the "Combined horizontal and vertical bands" family, shared with 6 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Central African Republic, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar.
- Benin became independent on 1 August 1960 from France.
- Football is the most popular sport.
- The national anthem is "L'Aube Nouvelle".
- The flag is flown everywhere on 1 August, Independence Day.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Benin
When was the flag of Benin adopted?
The flag of Benin was officially adopted on August 1, 1990, though the design had already been in use since 1959.
What do the colours of the flag of Benin mean?
Green for hope and the palm groves of the south, yellow for the savannahs of the north and red for the courage of the ancestors.
When did Benin gain independence?
Benin became independent on 1 August 1960 from France.
What is the national sport of Benin?
Football is the most popular sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Benin represent?
Pan-African colours — Shared with Ghana and Ethiopia as a mark of African unity.
What are the proportions of the flag of Benin?
The official ratio is 2:3, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 82 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Benin?
The national anthem is "L'Aube Nouvelle".
When is the national day of Benin?
It falls on 1 August, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the capital of Benin?
The capital is Porto-Novo. The currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF) and the language spoken is French.
Which flags look similar to the flag of Benin?
The closest matches are Central African Republic, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar, which share both the construction and most of the colours.