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.
Actors, musicians, and entertainers
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
Sikiratou Aguêmon (born 1948), politician and lawyer 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 Corinne Amori Brunet, diplomat and politician 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
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
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 Karelle Vignon Vullierme (born 1987), food blogger
Others Bernardin Gantin (1922–2008), Catholic cardinal Kojo Tovalou Houénou (1887–1936), Pan-Africanist intellectual and doctor Conceptia Ouinsou (1942–2011), lawyer, educator and politician Zomahoun Idossou Rufin (born 1964), Benin ambassador to Japan Arlette Dagnon Vignikin (born 1951), Benin ambassador to Scandinavia
See also
References