Rail transport in Benin

Benin has a total of 578 km (359 mi) of single track, 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) (metre gauge) railway.

The other surrounding countries, Nigeria, Togo, and Burkina Faso, do have railway networks, but no Benin connections have yet been built.

The first railway in Benin was opened during the French colonial rule in 1906, between the port of Cotonou and Ouidah, by the Compagnie Française des Chemins de Fer du Dahomey.

A 10 km section between Segboroué and Comè remained open for freight services from a quarry for several years, but is now closed.

The Train d'ebène operates luxury tours using two coaches, one the former General Manager's private saloon, the other a former freight vehicle which has been converted into a bar car.

In March 2018 President Patrice Talon again re-assigned the contract, this time to a consortium from China, also authorising the anticipated further extension within Niger to Niamey; the estimated project cost had risen to USD$4 billion.

[9] Despite repeated setbacks, the project is continuing, and enjoys widespread regional support, as well as the strong personal backing of the President of Niger.

A standard gauge rail connection is planned from Parakou to Ilorin in Nigeria, with some reports that construction work has already commenced.