National Library of Benin, National library in Porto-Novo, Benin.

The National Library of Benin is a research facility in Porto-Novo that holds approximately 10,000 documents on Dahomey and African history. The collection includes books, periodicals, and manuscripts organized across different sections.

The National Library of Benin was chartered by decree n°75-305 of 25 November 1975, with Noël Hontongnon Amoussou as first director; a French source dates its founding to 28 November 1975, when it was still called the National Library of Dahomey. A 1976 UNESCO report noted a limited budget, untrained staff and no overall planning. It occupied a building of the former National Assembly in central Porto-Novo until 1985, then moved to Ouando, where a purpose-built library opened to the public in 1987. It has borne its present name since 2014.

The library's name changed from National Library of Dahomey to National Library of Benin in 2014. Its legal deposit rule requires four copies of every book printed in the country, or three for print runs under 300. Since 2021 legal deposit can be completed online and a national digital catalogue has been deployed.

The library is accessible on weekdays with standard opening hours for visitors and provides reading spaces for study. It is advisable to check ahead whether specific collections are available before your visit.

The library regularly receives donations of magazines and newspapers from the French Institute that enrich its collections. These international contributions help expand knowledge about Africa and the world within the institution.