Complete guide

How to find software developers in Benin

Benin
February 22, 2023
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Benin is a small country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Togo, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso. The capital city is Porto-Novo, and the largest city is Cotonou. Benin is known for its vibrant culture and its diverse landscapes, ranging from coastal beaches to dense rainforests. It is also home to a wide variety of wildlife including elephants, chimpanzees, and hippos. Benin is a developing nation, but it has made considerable progress in recent years in areas such as health care and education. It is also a major producer of cotton and oil. Benin is also a great place to find software developers. But software engineers in Benin are also hard to find and hard to hire. Experienced developers get a lot of messages from recruiters, in some cases five or ten messages per day. To find engineers in Benin you have to search for engineers in different sources, reach out based on their preferred contact details, personalize your outreach and make an attractive offer. In this guide you'll learn more about the tech ecosystem in Benin, which methods to use to find developers and how to hire them.

Why Benin is a good place to find developers

Developer statistics in Benin

Benin does not have reliable statistics on the number of tech talent in the country. However, according to data from the International Labour Organization (ILO), the number of people employed in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector in Benin was estimated at 8,000 in 2019. Additionally, the Benin Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy estimates that there are over 15,000 software engineers and IT professionals in the country.

The tech ecosystem in Benin

The tech ecosystem in Benin is still in its early stages of development. There is a growing number of tech startups, venture capitalists, and angel investors investing in Benin. There is also a growing number of technology-focused incubators and accelerators, such as Benin Innovation Hub and PEG Africa, which are helping to foster an entrepreneurial spirit among tech entrepreneurs in the country. Additionally, there is a growing number of tech events and meetups such as Startup Weekend Benin and Geek Week Benin, which are helping to create a vibrant and supportive tech community in Benin. The country is also home to a number of successful tech companies, such as the online marketplace Jumia, the mobile payments platform Flooz, and the online retail platform Shopify.

Best tech meetups in Benin

Attending local meetups is a great way of getting introduced  to technical talent and getting a better feel for what software developers care about.
These are the best local meetups:

1. DevC Benin
2. Women Techmakers Benin
3. BeninTech Meetup
4. Benin ICT Meetup
5. Benin Cloud Computing Meetup
6. Benin Entrepreneurship Meetup
7. Benin Robotics Meetup
8. Benin Artificial Intelligence Meetup
9. Benin Blockchain Meetup
10. Benin Mobile Developers Meetup

Best methods to source and recruit talent in Benin

There are many different ways to find and hire developers, some examples are:



1. Online Job Boards: Online job boards such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and Monster are great resources for finding software development talent in Benin.

2. Professional Networks: Professional networks such as LinkedIn, GitHub, and Stack Overflow can be used to connect with software development professionals in Benin.

3. Recruiting Agencies: Recruiting agencies can be a great way to find software development talent in Benin.

4. Referrals: Asking colleagues, friends, and family for referrals can be a great way to find software development talent in Benin.

5. Local Events: Attending local tech events and meetups can be a great way to network and find software development talent in Benin.

These are currently the best methods to find and hire developers:

Search LinkedIn, GitHub and Stack Overflow and reach out

The best way to find developer talent in Benin is to find them in the places where they have an online profile and are active. Examples of those platforms are GitHub and Stack Overflow. LinkedIn can also be a valuable source.

Talent search engines can help you find developers online through a variety of sources. Most talent search engines also provide verified contact details so you can reach out to the talent you have found. In some cases these engines even automate a big part of the outreach process so you can reach hundreds of candidates per day.

An example of a talent search and engagement engine is HeroHunt.ai which can find 1 billion candidates worldwide and lets you reach out automatically with personalized messages.

Best job boards to find developers in Benin

An alternative way to attract development talent is to post a job on a (local) job board.

These are the best local job boards to post your developer job on:

1. LinkedIn
2. Glassdoor
3. Indeed
4. Monster
5. CareerBuilder
6. Jobberman
7. Afrijob
8. JobinBenin
9. Facebook
10. Twitter

Best remote job boards to find developers in Benin

If you are sourcing for remote talent then you can utilize remote specific job boards where you can post your remote job.

These are the best remote job boards to post your developer job on:

1. Upwork
2. Freelancer.com
3. Fiverr
4. PeoplePerHour
5. Guru
6. Remote.co
7. FlexJobs
8. AngelList
9. LinkedIn
10. Remote OK

How to hire software developers from any place without a local office

When you’re hiring software developers you need to be aware of the local average salaries in order to provide a competitive job offer. Below are the average salaries for software developers per experience level.

Average local salaries

Average salary for a junior software developer in Benin

The average salary for a junior developer in Benin is around CFA 293,000 per month. This is equivalent to approximately USD 530. The salary will vary depending on the experience and qualifications of the individual, as well as the specific job role and company. Generally, junior developers in Benin are expected to have basic knowledge of computer programming languages and software development, as well as experience in developing and testing applications. They may also be responsible for developing and maintaining websites, troubleshooting technical issues, and providing customer service.

Average salary for a senior software developer in Benin

In Benin, the average salary for a senior developer is about 2.2 million CFA francs (approximately $3,800 USD) per month. This salary varies depending on the job type, experience, and the company. Senior developers are typically responsible for developing and maintaining software applications, designing and implementing algorithms, and providing technical support. They may also be responsible for mentoring and training junior developers, researching new technologies, and managing projects.

Employing software developers (remotely)

Maybe your company doesn't have an office (yet) in Benin. But that doesn't mean you can't hire employees in Benin. There are several options like EORs which can help employ developers legally according to the regulations in Benin.



An Employer of Record (EOR) is a service that provides employers with the ability to hire employees in foreign countries without having to set up a local entity. This service is commonly used by companies who are looking to expand into new markets but do not have the resources or experience to do so. The EOR acts as an intermediary between the employer and the employee, taking on all of the legal and administrative responsibilities associated with the employment relationship.

In Benin, an Employer of Record is the ideal solution for foreign companies looking to hire employees locally. It provides the employer with a compliant and cost-effective solution for setting up their operations in the country. Here’s how to use an Employer of Record in Benin:

1. Choose an experienced and reliable EOR provider.
Payroll and employment laws can vary significantly from country to country, so it’s important to work with an EOR provider who is knowledgeable and experienced in the Benin market.

2. Determine the employment agreement.
Once you have chosen an EOR provider, the next step is to establish the terms of the employment agreement. This should include details such as the job title, salary, benefits, and any other conditions of employment.

3. Obtain the necessary legal documents.
Your EOR provider should be able to obtain the necessary legal documents for the employment relationship, such as work permits and employment contracts.

4. Set up the payroll system.
Your EOR provider will be able to set up the payroll system for you, ensuring that all employees are paid correctly and on time.

5. Ensure compliance with all local laws.
Your EOR provider should be able to ensure that your operations comply with all local laws and regulations, helping to protect you from any potential legal issues.

Using an Employer of Record in Benin is a great way for foreign companies to enter the local market without having to set up a local entity. By working with an experienced and reliable EOR provider, you can access the local talent pool and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Use a platform to find and hire the best developers:
Best platforms to employ developers worldwide

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