Kandi, Benin


Kandi is a town, arrondissement and commune in the Alibori Department of eastern Benin. Originally a market town, Kandi is now primarily a farming centre. It lies on the nation's main north-south highway, from Cotonou and north of Porto-Novo. The town is the capital of the department of Alibori. The commune covers an area of and as of 2013 had a population of 177,683 people. The town itself had a population of 27,227 in 2002.

History

Kandi was founded by the Bariba Kingdom, an offshoot of the Borgu Confederation. The surrounded villages are Bariba people in south and west, and the Mokole Yoruba in the north, who fled the wars of the foundation of the Oyo Empire. The surrounding countryside is Bariba.

Geography

The commune of Kandi is located from Cotonou. Communally it is bounded to the north by Malanville, south by Gogounou, west by Banikoara and to the east by Ségbana.

Climate

Kandi has a tropical savanna climate.

Administrative divisions

Kandi is subdivided into 10 arrondissements: Kandi I, Kandi II, Kandi III, Angaradébou, Bensékou, Donwari, Kassakou, Saah, Sam and Sonsoro. They contain 39 villages and 9 urban districts.

Economy

Most of the population are engaged in agricultural activities, followed by trade, transportation and handicrafts. The main crops grown are maize, cotton, kapok, millet and peanuts. There are notable iron deposits of high quality in the vicinity.

Transport

The town is situated on the RNIE 2 highway and is served by Kandi Airport, which is located north of the main town.