Mission guide
Benin Cotonou Mission
The Benin Cotonou Mission serves a French-speaking part of West Africa centered on Cotonou.
- French
Benin Cotonou Mission shirts & apparel
Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.
Benin Cotonou Mission T-Shirt
$29.00
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Benin Cotonou Mission Heart Map Shirt
$29.00
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Benin Cotonou Mission Flag Map Shirt
$29.00
Choose size & color →I Glory in My Jesus, in the language of this mission and English
2 Nephi 33:6 as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
Weak Things Become Strong, in the languages of this mission and English
"I make weak things become strong" (Ether 12:27) as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
More shirts in the language of this mission
Press Forward, in the languages of this mission and English
"Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ" (2 Nephi 31:20) as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
About the mission
French is the mission’s main language. Missionaries may also hear local languages, including Fon in and around Cotonou.
At a glance
- Country
- Benin
- Mission area
- Benin and Togo
- Main city
- Cotonou (679,012 people in 2013)
- Language
- French
- Time zone
- West Africa Time (UTC+1)
- Climate
- Tropical wet and dry, with rainy seasons from April to July and September to October
A short history of the area
The town grew quickly after its harbor was built in 1908. Today, Cotonou lies between the Atlantic Ocean and Lake Nokoué and is home to one of West Africa’s largest ports.
The Church here
- 1998Claude P. Toze was baptized in Cotonou on October 4, becoming the first person baptized in Benin.
- 1999Benin was opened to missionary work, and Mathias O. Eguko was set apart as branch president of the Cotonou group.
- 2001Verne and Kathleen Davis became the first missionary couple assigned to live in Benin full time.
- 2003The Church received official recognition in Benin on March 7.
- 2005The Cotonou Branch was created, with Mathias O. Eguko as branch president.
- 2006Géoffroy Koussemou became the first member from Benin to serve a full-time mission.
- 2007Seminary and institute classes were taught in Benin for the first time.
- 2014The mission opened Porto-Novo to missionary work.
Temples nearby
Lagos Nigeria Temple
Under construction · About 65 miles from Cotonou
Accra Ghana Temple
Dedicated January 11, 2004 · About 190 miles from Cotonou
The Book of Mormon here
Missionaries in this mission share the Book of Mormon in these languages. Tap a cover to read it free.
Cover art is an illustration. Links open the free edition on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Before you go
Phrases to learn
- BonjourHello or good morning
- Comment allez-vous ?How are you?
- MerciThank you
- S’il vous plaîtPlease
Foods to try
- Pâte (a soft corn, cassava, or yam dough served with sauce)
- Amiwo (seasoned red corn dough, often served with meat or fish)
- Ablo (steamed rice and corn cakes)
- Wagasi (a soft local cheese, often fried or served with sauce)
Fun facts
- Cotonou is Benin’s largest city and seat of government, but Porto-Novo is the official capital.
- A canal called the lagoon of Cotonou divides the city, and the city has three bridges.
- Motorcycle taxis are common in Cotonou and are locally called zémidjan.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.
Hoodies & shorts for this mission
The same mission, made for cooler days and the court.
