Electricity and sockets
Yes – from the UK you need a travel adapter for Benin, because the sockets there (Types C and E) will not take your plugs.
Sockets at the destination
Before you pack: Benin uses Types C and E, 230 V and 50 Hz. No surprises on voltage: Benin runs at 230 V, the same range as at home in the UK.
You will find identical sockets in Djibouti, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger and the Western Sahara. Nearby but different: Malawi, Nigeria and Tanzania – an adapter for Benin will not fit there. In Africa, 21 of 55 recorded destinations use exactly this combination.
Protective earth
Mixed supply: Type C without earth, Type E with earth. Which one is in your room only shows on arrival.
Quick check by home country
| From the UK | adapter for Types C and E | Check route → |
|---|---|---|
| From the US | adapter for Types C and E | Check route → |
Voltage and frequency in Benin match UK appliances, so only the plug shape matters. Check your own device →
The same sockets are used further afield: Guadeloupe, Poland, Belgium, Monaco, Slovakia and France.
Common questions
Yes. UK plugs do not fit the sockets in Benin.
Types C and E – that is what you will find in Benin (230 V, 50 Hz).
No converter needed – Benin runs at 230 V.
If a socket gets hot, crackles or smells burnt, unplug the device straight away.
Data for Benin from IEC World Plugs and IEC TR 60083. Sources and method →