Benin: January 8 and 9, 2026 declared public holidays.

The Beninese government has announced that January 8 and 9, 2026 will be public holidays, days off, and paid across the entire country.

This decision, made public by an official statement, is part of the national celebration of traditional or indigenous religions, an initiative aimed at recognizing and valuing this important aspect of the country’s cultural heritage.

According to the communiqué relayed by the public radio and television, these two days will be devoted to the manifestations and rites related to traditional beliefs. The government thus invites the entire population to fully participate in the ceremonies and cultural activities planned, while respecting safety and public order rules.

The celebrations of Africa’s traditional religions offer Benin an opportunity to highlight its ancestral values while promoting Benin’s culture, which has become one of the country’s development drivers.