Malapterurus beninensis is a species of electric catfish native to the African nations of Angola, Benin, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo.

M. beninensis is a fleshy, robust fish that grows to a maximum length of 22 cm (9 in).

It has a fusiform body (tapered at both ends) with a large head and a thick caudal peduncle.

[4][5] M. beninensis occurs in lowland freshwater habitats in tropical West and Central Africa.

It lives in a range of habitats including rivers, streams, lakes, marshes and swamps.