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Benin City, Nigeria 🇳🇬
#262
,
Nomad Score:
50%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Benin City is the capital of Edo State in Nigeria and known for its rich cultural heritage and history. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 1.5 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 10-20 Mbps, with some providers offering up to 50 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Currency is Nigerian Naira (₦). 1 USD ≈ ₦460. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable. It's advised to use bottled or filtered water. |
| 🔌 Power | Voltage is 240V, 50Hz. Sockets are Type D and G. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include MTN, Glo, Airtel. Prepaid SIM cards available. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular banks include Zenith Bank, Access Bank, and Stanbic IBTC. Mobile banking is prevalent. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from hotels, like Protea Hotel, to Airbnb and local rentals. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Partially cashless. Mobile money services like Paga are available but cash is still widely used. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb options available, with average prices around ₦18,000 per night. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Affordable options include local guesthouses like Benin City Guest House. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Ring Road area is popular for tourists, known for its accessibility and amenities. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | GRA (Government Reservation Area) is recommended for quieter stays with better amenities. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Renaissance Coworking Space located in the GRA area. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café De Ville offers a relaxed atmosphere with good coffee and Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Regular meetups announced on local Facebook groups focused on business and tech. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expats in Benin City Facebook Group offers community support and organizes social gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Bolt is the most widely used for ride-hailing in Benin City. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bike rentals are not widely available; public transport and taxis are preferred. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The nearest beach is in Lagos, about 3 hours away by road. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Arik Air is a primary domestic airline connecting Benin to other cities. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air Peace offers international flights from Lagos. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Benin City is accessible via the Benin-Lagos Highway and the Benin-Auchi Road. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Benin City has a local train service, but it’s limited. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Generally not available; local buses and taxis operate on a cash basis. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses are available to nearby cities like Lagos and Abuja via major transport companies. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | University of Benin Teaching Hospital provides comprehensive healthcare services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Fit & Fab Gym offers yoga classes and wellness programs. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Viva Fitness Gym is a popular spot for workouts. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Quick Wash Laundry offers laundry and dry-cleaning services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Jumia Food is popular for restaurant deliveries. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Pepper soup and pounded yam are must-try local dishes. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Vegan-friendly restaurants are limited, but places like The Harvest offer vegetarian options. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Sweet Tooth Café is well-known for desserts in the city. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Ogbekun Market for fresh produce and local goods. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Jumia and Konga are popular for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Flapp provides grocery delivery services in the city. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Social Club Benin is a famous nightlife spot. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Legend Extra Stout is a locally produced beer, available widely. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Cork & Barrel Wine Lounge offers a selection of wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street vendors offer quick bites like Akara and Suya. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Chilli Pepper offers Nigerian and continental dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Benin National Museum and Oba's Palace are key cultural landmarks. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Benin City Cultural Heritage Centre features local art and history. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Visit the historic Benin Walls and Moat. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Benedictine Abbey and St. John's Cathedral are significant religious sites. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Edo Festival celebrates cultural heritage every August. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Ring Road area is the hub for local culture and entertainment. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | A.B.C. Theater is a venue for local performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Ekiadolor Market offers a traditional shopping experience. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Gospel and Afrobeats dominate the local music scene, with live performances at venues like Lush Lounge. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Visit the expressive murals around the city for urban art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Local cooking classes are available, focusing on traditional Edo recipes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Gallery of Contemporary Art showcases local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Edo State Government House represents colonial architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Benin's rich history includes the ancient Benin Kingdom and its arts. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Okomu National Park offers wildlife and nature trails. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Okomu National Park is the main national park accessible from the city. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Limited cycling paths; best explored on foot. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Benin River offers scenic views and photo opportunities. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Okomu National Park is excellent for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated picnic areas along the Benin River. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and FedEx operate services for parcel delivery. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | QuickFix provides mobile and computer repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Community centers often have table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language schools offer Yoruba and Edo courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Edo State Library is a resource for study. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Benin City Community Centre hosts various local events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gaming lounges like The GameHub offer a social spot for gamers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Few casinos exist; the main option is Casino Benin. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₦100,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₦4,000,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₦70,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₦2,800,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₦90,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₦5,400,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₦65,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₦3,900,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₦85,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₦6,800,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₦60,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₦4,800,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 30% for corporate entities. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 10% withholding tax on dividends. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residency-based taxation system. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 24% for the highest earners. |
| 🧾 VAT | 7.5% VAT on goods and services. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | N/A as Nigeria does not have strict CFC rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax varies by locality and valuation. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Up to 3% for property transfers. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No specific incentives for digital nomads, but competitive living costs. |