ARCEP's weekly quality reports on three operators
ARCEP Bénin says it runs a permanent monitoring system for the quality of service of the mobile networks, and its news page lists a report for each week. Its report for 19 to 25 September 2026, dated 1 October, covers the three mobile operators on the market, Spacetel Bénin, Moov Africa Bénin and Celtiis, and assesses voice, measured by call success and blocking rates, and 3G and 4G mobile internet, measured by download and upload speeds. It concludes that all indicators measured were strictly in line with the regulatory thresholds for both voice and data.
The report does not name a best network or give coverage by town, and the thresholds are compliance minimums, not a ranking. ARCEP's quality-of-service page says it measures quality with drive-test field tools and a near-real-time monitoring system. For a visitor, the value is that an independent regulator publishes regular checks, so you need not rely on an operator's own claim.
Moov Africa's data packs, in francs
Moov Africa Bénin's volume pack page, activated by dialling *123#, lists prices in CFA francs. At the time of checking, 100 francs bought 166 MB for 24 hours, 300 francs bought 500 MB with unlimited WhatsApp for 48 hours, 500 francs bought 1 GB with unlimited social networks for 24 hours, 1,000 francs bought 1.62 GB for 7 days and 2,500 francs bought 4 GB for 15 days. The social networks named are Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp, YouTube and Snapchat.
Its unlimited internet page, activated with *123*5#, lists monthly packs valid for 30 days, from 15,000 francs for a pack shown as 24.41 GB plus 2 Mbps to 50,000 francs for 81.38 GB plus 10 Mbps. Those are aimed at home or heavy users, and for a short visit the weekly or 15-day volume packs fit better. The pages do not say what identification a visitor needs to buy a SIM.
Moov's eSIM: ask by email, WhatsApp or in an agency
Moov Africa Bénin's eSIM page, in French, explains that an eSIM is a virtual SIM that works after you scan a QR code, and that a single-SIM phone can hold up to ten eSIMs. To obtain one it asks customers to write to an email address, to contact it on WhatsApp at 55505050, or to visit an agency, and it refers to a list of compatible devices.
It does not give a price or a delivery time, and it does not say that a visitor can buy one before arrival, so we do not claim a download-before-you-fly eSIM. The third operator, Celtiis, lets people pre-order a SIM by filling in a form from anywhere, according to its homepage, though it gives no prices in the text we read.
A visa applied for online, and the yellow fever certificate
The UK Foreign Office says you must have a visa to enter or travel through Benin, that you should apply online at least seven days before arrival and collect the visa when you arrive at Cotonou airport, and that you must have a certificate to prove you have had a yellow fever vaccination. It says your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay and points to the Beninese Embassy in France for entry questions.
Because the application is online, keep the confirmation on your phone and a printed copy. It also says you cannot get visas for Nigeria, Ghana or Togo on arrival in Benin, so plan onward visas in advance. Rules differ by nationality.
Northern regions, crime in Cotonou and photography
The UK Foreign Office, updated on 15 December 2025, advises against all travel to the Parc du W National Park, the Pendjari National Park and adjacent hunting grounds, and all other areas within 5 km of the border with Burkina Faso. It advises against all but essential travel to the rest of the Alibori and Atacora departments and to an eastern area near the Nigeria border. It also says terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Benin, including at places such as beach resorts, hotels, bars and restaurants. Read the full page for your route.
In Cotonou it says street crime including theft and mugging is common, that you should be alert in Dantokpa Market and avoid the area at night, and that you should not walk on the beach alone at any time. It also says it is illegal to take photos at or near sensitive or government sites, such as military installations or the airport, that Voodoo culture is prevalent and that the Voodoo Festival is a public holiday in early January.
Emergency numbers, with a caution
The UK Foreign Office gives 118 for fire and ambulance and 117 for police in Benin, and warns that emergency response is very limited and that you may need to ask for local advice to get help. Save your hotel's number and your embassy's contact before you travel. Our Benin plan page covers data before you arrive.
Networks our Benin plans use
These are the operators named on our plans for Benin, taken from the plan data, so the list follows the catalogue.
- Celtiis4G
- CeltisLTE
- Spacetel - MTN4G
- Spacetel-Benin (MTN)4G