Dogbo-Tota
Commune and city
CountryBenin
DepartmentKouffo Department
MayorMagloire Agossou
Unit prefMetric
Area total475 km²
Population as of2013
Population total101,870
Population density214.46 km²
Time zoneWAT (UTC+1)
Coordinates6°48′N 1°47′E
Elevation65 m
WebsiteOfficial website

Dogbo-Tota dɔg.bɔ.tɔ.ta (or Dogbo dɔg.bo) is a city located in the Kouffo Department of Benin. The commune covers an area of 475 square kilometres and as of 2013 had a population of 101,870 people.[1][2]

Dogbo, like many areas of Benin, is home to a constituent monarchy.[3]

Geography

The commune lies in the south-western corner of the Kouffo Department, on the border with the Republic of Togo to the west. [4] It is bounded by the communes of Lalo, Toviklin and Djakotomey to the north; Lokossa and Bopa to the south; the Atlantic Department to the east. [5] The topography is part of the “Plateau Adja” region, with lateritic soils and gently undulating relief (average altitude ~80 m). [6]

Administration

Dogbo-Tota is one of the six communes of Kouffo Department. The commune is subdivided into seven arrondissements: Ayomi, Dévé, Honton, Lokogohoué, Madjrè, Tota (the chief-town) and Totchangni. [7] These arrondissements contain a total of 52 villages in some documentation or up to 65 villages in more recent sources. [8]

Demographics

At the 2013 census (RGPH-4), the population was 101,870. [9] The main ethnolinguistic group is the Adja (over 93 % of the population according to some local studies). Other minority groups include Sahoué, Kotafon, Fon, Mina. [10]

Economy

Agriculture is the principal economic activity of the commune, especially maize, manioc (cassava), tomato, groundnut (arachide) and beans. The palm oil sector and associated processing (including sodabi – palm wine-based spirit) are also active. [11] The periodic market (held every 4 days) in Dogbo is a regional trading hub. [12]

Culture and Heritage

The commune of Dogbo is known as “Terre des Adjas et des Hommes à queue” – referencing a local legend of underground-dwelling “men with tails”. [13] Traditional festivals, chieftaincy palaces (including that of the Queen Mother) and forest-sacred sites (e.g., Dogbo-Ahomey, Lokogohoué) are notable. [14]

Infrastructure & Services

Road links connect Dogbo-Tota with neighbouring communes (Lalo, Toviklin, Djakotomey) and with the Togolese border. [15] Education and health indicators show the commune performing above departmental averages in some areas: the net primary school enrolment rate is stated at 83 % in 2013 — the highest among Kouffo’s communes. [16]

References

  1. ^ "National Institute of Statistics and Economic Analysis". Archived September 3, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  2. ^ "Communes of Benin". Statoids. Archived from the original on March 24, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
  3. ^ Wangnannon, Sènan Nadège (2022-02-20). "Haut conseil des rois du Bénin : La Reine Mère Séminvo Dr Dòwòti Désir devient membre" (in fr-FR). Bénin Intelligent. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
  4. ^ "La commune de Dogbo – “Terre des Adjas…”". Government of Benin. 24 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  5. ^ "Perspectives de financement du développement local au Bénin : Cas de la commune de Dogbo". Memoire Online. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  6. ^ "La commune de Dogbo – “Terre des Adjas…”". Government of Benin. 24 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  7. ^ "Arrondissements de la commune de Dogbo". ToutBénin. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  8. ^ "Perspectives de financement du développement local au Bénin : Cas de la commune de Dogbo". Memoire Online. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  9. ^ "Dogbo-Tota (Commune, Benin) – Population Statistics". CityPopulation.de. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  10. ^ "Perspectives de financement du développement local au Bénin : Cas de la commune de Dogbo". Memoire Online. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  11. ^ "La commune de Dogbo – “Terre des Adjas…”". Government of Benin. 24 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  12. ^ "Perspectives de financement du développement local au Bénin : Cas de la commune de Dogbo". Memoire Online. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  13. ^ "La commune de Dogbo – “Terre des Adjas…”". Government of Benin. 24 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  14. ^ "La commune de Dogbo – “Terre des Adjas…”". Government of Benin. 24 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  15. ^ "La commune de Dogbo – “Terre des Adjas…”". Government of Benin. 24 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  16. ^ "1–État et structure de la population du Couffo". INSAE. 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2025.