₦airaland Forum

sirrotex:
Here is a feedback on my experience traveling to Cotonou and Togo. I left on the 19th of December. From mile 2, I entered a cab to Seme boarder for 3k. I would advise you to have your international passport because immigration extorted those who did not have. The cab stopped me at conoil. From Conoil, I walked to the seme boarder, went through port health,they asked for my Yellow card which I gave them, from there to Ndlea. The guy at Ndlea just looked at my passport and said because of my extensive travel experience he would not search me. From there I went to stamp my passport at immigration. The officer was polite, stamped the passport and asked for 1k. I told him that I had traveled extensively and no where in the world have I been asked to pay to get my passport stamped. He then let me go but told me, I would have to pay at the Benin immigration. At the Benin immigration, those without passport paid money and crossed freely. I gave the immigration officer my passport then the problem started, he said I was to pay 2k. I told him I don't have, he asked if I didn't pay at the Nigerian side and I told him I did not. I also told him to confirm from the Nigeria Immigration. After some delay he stamped my passport into Benin Republic. I had changed money in Lagos, so I didn't have any need to change money, I would also advise intending travellers to change their money in Lagos as the rates are better. From there I entered a Taxi to Togo for 7k CFA. At the Hillcondji boarder was where my problem started. Those guys couldn't not speak English or pretended not to be able to, so we did not understand each other. After much delay and due to the people I was delaying in the cab. I paid 2k CFA on the Benin Republic exit and 2k on the Lome entry. I took a picture of the immigration police at the Benin Republic boarder and would take him up. Coming back, I paid 1k each at the Lome and happy Benin Boarder and also 1k to the Benin exit immigration. The Nigerian guy that stamped me in did not ask for a dime though I gave him 1k in the spirit of Christmas.
This is my first experience crossing the border and hope it will get better as time progresses. As for the guy that I took his picture, I am processing my petition to their police commissioner.
I hope this helps someone

SleekyP:
Run with your toes.....I repeat!!!

SleekyP:
rien ne va se paser

sirrotex:
A lot has started happening 😃

Teathobi:
Please anyone has links on how I can get a house in Cotonou. Google isn't really helping right now. Thanks'

Teathobi:
Please anyone has links on how I can get a house in Cotonou. Google isn't really helping right now. Thanks'

Gatess:
A room selfcon ranges from 15k cefa to 25k or more depend on location or landlord.

Most online platforms adverts are in french language and u can get some in fb.

As for the mattress, it depends on size but ranges from 50k cefa and above, depend on size, quality etc and u can still get fairly used ones but still expensive too

Going with a mentality of searching for a job, may not be the best. Meanwhile do u speak french? If no, it's gonna be tough but may be easier for u if u are a teacher. Sincerely, the best way is to have a biz plan and some cash to run a biz there.

Finally, as a new comer, have an open mind to enable u adapt faster and be friendly and sociable. Have a good plan B4 u come so u don't get stranded. It's a safe, serene and calm place to live.

Note: CEFA has more value now in the black market...#1000 to 850 cefa.
Hope my little info helps u. Cheers and good luck

Kenox:
What kind of house?

aariwa:
hi I am planning to visit Benin for tourism probably around the time they have most of their cultural festivals. Can you recommend an English speaking tour guide and place for good hotel and food. Thank you

Gate2:
Call this number : +22950361254 for for enquiry

Joannebassey:
Unfortunately, social media allows people to say anything without repercussion since everyone is protected by being anonymous. However, we still need to get our facts straight before accusing an entity of something they have no business with. It's easy to point fingers, but for all you know, they could very well be victims of these scammers and are bleeding from the activities of these criminals. It would be wise to refrain from allowing these scammers to give us the job of discrediting a company through the comments we make, thereby contributing to the downfall of a very legitimate company. Clicking on the https://www.qbuzz.qnet.net/rumours-controversies-and-is-it-a-scam-question/ link will further dispel any doubts you have about the company.

Declan1:
Do you have a low budget and planning to explore Benin Republic for leisure, vacation or business (Cotonou, Porto Novo) the sit of the greatest Agripreneurs incubation and training center founded in 1985 by name SONGHAI AGRIC CENTER or wish to extend your horizon to Togo post Covid 2021, here is how.
Benin Republic is a friendly African country, it ranked low on the list of Covid19 countries in Africa by the Centre for Disease Control- CDC but adequate Covid19 measures should be taken by all travellers at all times, I.e maintain social distancing, right use of face mask, hand sanitizers and proper washing of hands regularly.

Here is my experience with the warm and helpful people of Benin Republic on the road map to leisure, business and fulfillment of a dream on the go dated 22nd January, 2021.

ROAD MAP
Take a Bus from any where in Nigeria to Lagos (Mile 2), but if your bus stops you at Alafia/ Wema Bank Bus Stop close to Alaba, take a bus to Mile 2 at N100 naira only, when you drop off, look ahead and see the Pedestrian bridge with shelter and walk towards it, by the right lane you will see vehicles..buses and cabs/sienna loading Seme Boarder or Badagry.

To save money, join a bus calling Badagry for N800 naira while cabs charge N3,500-4,000 to Seme Boarder.
(NOTE: Coming back is N700 naira with bus)
For a first timer, please make sure you hold your Yellow Card and ECOWAS or INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT, do not help anyone to carry his luggage/bag and also watch your own bag in case of contraband during searching else you will be questioned severely and delayed at almost all the Joint task force checking points along the road, keep in mind your reason for going to Benin and show your paper when demanded without smiling at all else you keep tipping till infinity.
The road is undergoing some construction works and is rated 35% good and 65% bad.

When you get to Badagry park get off and join cabs calling SEME BOARDER for N500 naira only outside the park at the round about, they will stop you at CONOIL FILLING STATION by the right hand side else ask the Driver or any lady to point ConOil Filling station for you.
(NOTE: Coming back is N300 naira only by cab)

You will see many Bike/Okada guys calling you to come so they can cross you to the Benin side, please save yourself and ignore them and walk to the Boarder gate in front of you if you have your Passport/Yellow Card.

Without smiling walk past the different Joint task force check points 500meters to the Seme boarder gate but if you are called go and meet them and they may search your bag for contraband or ask for your Passport/ Yellow Card and reason for going to Benin, show the officers your Passport and enter through the First Gate by the right hand, keep going by the right hand side to the Second gate where the Nigeria Stamping section is first, where you may be searched again and asked same questions...after you give your reason and Passport for Stamping OUT, irrespective of your Passport been (New/Virgin or Old) I realized N500 naira only is charged for Stamping, make sure you have N500 naira change before paying it...insist on N500 naira for Nigeria and turn to Benin Immigration for Stamping IN at N500 naira too...total N1,000 naira for both.
(NOTE: You repeat this STAMPING Process when coming back to Nigeria)

After Stamping OUT/IN, you keep moving by your right hand side to the Benin Gate and other Benin Immigration will call you to search you and see your Passport/yellow card and ask same questions after which you are in Benin side now.

CHANGING NAIRA TO CFA
At the entrance now, you will see Money changers, I recommend you change it here with this trust worthy Exchanger MARCUS +2.2.9.9.6.5.5.7.6.4.4 call whatsapp.
You get the best daily rate at the Boarder than inside the city center because they are few and so monopoly, he will rechange CFA Francs to naira for you when you have excess after your business trip in Benin, so change the amount you wish to and keep some naira as Benin people also collect naira some times.
I exchanged Naira to CFA on the 22nd of January 2021 at 1.1CFA which is N15,500 naira to 17,000 CFA.
If you want to travel with huge cash I would recommend you open an EcoBank Account and get the ATM card which you would use to draw cash when you arrive Benin.

SIM CARD
Immediately you enter Benin your SIM card will automatically Roam itself to MTN Moov which is the official network in Benin but charges N100 naira per minute call or N50 naira per page for text messages.
But if you wish to buy the MTN Moov SIM card, I recommend you buy at Cotonou/Porto Novo at 300CFA (N272 naira) but it is sold at the boarder for 1,000CFA (N909 naira)

LANGUAGES
The Benin people speak French, Yoruba and little English but some speak fluent English.

CHEAP COMFY HOTELS
If you arrived late to Benin or have some thing to do in Cotonou or Porto Novo the following day, I recommend you lodge at the Boarder or go to Porto Novo and continue the following day.
Freedom Hotel is 3 minutes walk to Abobo Beach with good standard rooms, water, fan or AC and 24hours light, good room service starting @ (6,000, 7,000 - 15,000CFA, N5,454 /N6,363 Naira)

1. Freedom Hotel (3 minutes walk to the Beach where you get coconut water and fish)
Boarder, directly opposite NSIA Bank
Tony +2.2.9.9.7.6.7.3.2.2.5 call whatapp

2. Movic Hotel - Avakwa Junction, Porto Novo

3. Delta Force - Avakwa Junction, Porto Novo

4. Palace Hotel - Porto Novo

5. Freedom Palace Hotel - Porto Novo

Due to the Covid19, the Beach was completely empty, only fishermen and women were there.

ROAD TO TOGO, COTONOU
PORTO NOVO - SONGHAI AGRICULTURE CENTER
If you desire to go to TOGO, but Togo boarder is closed now due to Covid19 except illegal means of entry which I do NOT recommend.
Join a car from the boarder going to Cotonou at 500CFA N454 naira, stop at LAKONGI and enter TOGO motor at 3,000CFA N2,727 naira.

If you desire to go to COTONOU, join a car from the boarder going to Cotonou at 500CFA N454 naira.

If you desire to go to PORTO NOVO - SONGHAI AGRICULTURE CENTER, take a bike from the boarder and stop at the Round About (KEREEFU) at 300CFA N272 naira, left goes to Cotonou and right goes to Porto Novo, join Porto Novo Bus at 200CFA N181 naira or Cab 500CFA N454 naira to stop you in front of Songhai Center, they charge 500CFA for Farm Tour.
NOTE: Along this Porto Novo road is Avakwa Junction where 2 of those Hotels listed above are located while the last 2 Hotels are located after the bridge before Songhai Agriculture Center.

Do enjoy your stay as I did...

Jessydan54:
Please how do I get a resident permit in cotonu and can it be done without me not being there?

Declan1:
Do you have a low budget and planning to explore Benin Republic for leisure, vacation or business (Cotonou, Porto Novo) the sit of the greatest Agripreneurs incubation and training center founded in 1985 by name SONGHAI AGRIC CENTER or wish to extend your horizon to Togo post Covid 2021,

ROAD MAP
Take a Bus from any where in Nigeria to Lagos (Mile 2), but if your bus stops you at Alafia/ Wema Bank Bus Stop close to Alaba, take a bus to Mile 2 at N100 naira only, when you drop off, look ahead and see the Pedestrian bridge with shelter and walk towards it, by the right lane you will see vehicles..buses and cabs/sienna loading Seme Boarder or Badagry.

To save money, join a bus calling Badagry for N800 naira while cabs charge N3,500-4,000 to Seme Boarder.
(NOTE: Coming back is N700 naira with bus)
For a first timer, please make sure you hold your Yellow Card and ECOWAS or INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT, do not help anyone to carry his luggage/bag and also watch your own bag in case of contraband during searching else you will be questioned severely and delayed at almost all the Joint task force checking points along the road, keep in mind your reason for going to Benin and show your paper when demanded without smiling at all else you keep tipping till infinity.
The road is undergoing some construction works and is rated 35% good and 65% bad.

When you get to Badagry park get off and join cabs calling SEME BOARDER for N500 naira only outside the park at the round about, they will stop you at CONOIL FILLING STATION by the right hand side else ask the Driver or any lady to point ConOil Filling station for you.
(NOTE: Coming back is N300 naira only by cab)

You will see many Bike/Okada guys calling you to come so they can cross you to the Benin side, please save yourself and ignore them and walk to the Boarder gate in front of you if you have your Passport/Yellow Card.

Without smiling walk past the different Joint task force check points 500meters to the Seme boarder gate but if you are called go and meet them and they may search your bag for contraband or ask for your Passport/ Yellow Card and reason for going to Benin, show the officers your Passport and enter through the First Gate by the right hand, keep going by the right hand side to the Second gate where the Nigeria Stamping section is first, where you may be searched again and asked same questions...after you give your reason and Passport for Stamping OUT, irrespective of your Passport been (New/Virgin or Old) I realized N500 naira only is charged for Stamping, make sure you have N500 naira change before paying it...insist on N500 naira for Nigeria and turn to Benin Immigration for Stamping IN at N500 naira too...total N1,000 naira for both.
(NOTE: You repeat this STAMPING Process when coming back to Nigeria)

After Stamping OUT/IN, you keep moving by your right hand side to the Benin Gate and other Benin Immigration will call you to search you and see your Passport/yellow card and ask same questions after which you are in Benin side now.

CHANGING NAIRA TO CFA
You get the best daily rate at the Boarder than inside the city center because they are few and so monopoly,
If you want to travel with huge cash I would recommend you open an EcoBank Account and get the ATM card which you would use to draw cash when you arrive Benin.

SIM CARD
Immediately you enter Benin your SIM card will automatically Roam itself to MTN Moov which is the official network in Benin but charges N100 naira per minute call or N50 naira per page for text messages.
But if you wish to buy the MTN Moov SIM card, I recommend you buy at Cotonou/Porto Novo at 300CFA (N272 naira) but it is sold at the boarder for 1,000CFA (N909 naira)

LANGUAGES
The Benin people speak French, Yoruba and little English but some speak fluent English.

CHEAP COMFY HOTELS
I recommend you lodge at the Boarder or go to Porto Novo and continue the following day.
Freedom Hotel is 3 minutes walk to Abobo Beach with good standard rooms, water, fan or AC and 24hours light, good room service starting @ (6,000, 7,000 - 15,000CFA, N5,454 /N6,363 Naira)

1. Freedom Hotel (3 minutes walk to the Beach where you get coconut water and fish)
Boarder, directly opposite NSIA Bank
Tony +2.2.9.9.7.6.7.3.2.2.5 call whatapp

2. Movic Hotel - Avakwa Junction, Porto Novo

3. Delta Force - Avakwa Junction, Porto Novo

4. Palace Hotel - Porto Novo

5. Freedom Palace Hotel - Porto Novo

ROAD TO TOGO, COTONOU
PORTO NOVO - SONGHAI AGRICULTURE CENTER
If you desire to go to TOGO,
Join a car from the border going to Cotonou at 500CFA N454 naira, stop at LAKONGI and enter TOGO motor at 3,000CFA N2,727 naira.

If you desire to go to PORTO NOVO - SONGHAI AGRICULTURE CENTER, take a bike from the border and stop at the Round About (KEREEFU) at 300CFA N272 naira, left goes to Cotonou and right goes to Porto Novo, join Porto Novo Bus at 200CFA N181 naira or Cab 500CFA N454 naira to stop you in front of Songhai Center, they charge 500CFA for Farm Tour.
NOTE: Along this Porto Novo road is Avakwa Junction where 2 of those Hotels listed above are located while the last 2 Hotels are located after the bridge before Songhai Agriculture Center.

Do enjoy your stay as I did...

unclephilio123:
ur Ecowas passport is ur Nigeria international passport,which is 25k only and u can get it under 7hrs @immigratn office here in Akr,and ur Yellow vaccine card wch wil cost u just 2k here in Akr and it is wat guarantee u to enta any africa countries so far u are using ur Ecowas passport,to proove u are disease free.Below are d two kpali

sirrotex:
Can anyone give updates on recent prices across this route.

Muchmore024:
Please do you have an idea on how to open a XOF or XAF bank account or mobile money as a foreigner

mightymuy:
Pls what is the current rate of naira to CFA

Kenox:
Drop your contact.