Ouinhi
Commune and city in Zou Department, Benin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ouinhi [wi.ni] is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Zou Department of south-western Benin. The commune covers an area of 483 square kilometres and as of 2013 had a population of 59,381 people.[1][2] It is bounded on the north-west by the commune of Zagnanado, south-west by the commune of Zogbodomey, south by the commune of Bonou and east by the commune of Adja-Ouèrè. The commune is divided into arrondissements which include Dasso, Ouinhi, and Tohu, comprising 28 villages.[3]
Ouinhi | |
|---|---|
  Ouinhi Location in Benin | |
| Coordinates: 7°20′N 2°27′E | |
| Country |  Benin |
| Department | Zou Department |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Jonas Babatoundé Houessou |
| Area | |
• Total | 186 sq mi (483 km2) |
| Population (2013) | |
• Total | 59,381 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
The arrondissements of Ouinhi and Dasso were struck hard by the 2008 Benin floods in July 2008, tearing down mud and straw homes and infrastructure and polluting rivers.[4]
Geography
Ouinhi is a town and commune in the Zou Department of south-western Benin. The commune covers an area of approximately 483 square kilometres and as of 2013 had a population of 59,381 inhabitants.[5] It is bounded to the north by the commune of Zagnanado, to the west by Zogbodomè, to the south by Bonou, and to the east by Adja-Ouèrè.[6] The commune is divided into four arrondissements: Ouinhi, Dasso, Sagon, and Tohouè, comprising about 40 villages and urban quarters.[6]
Culture and Demographics
Economy & Agriculture
Agriculture remains the backbone of the local economy. Major food crops include rice (notably in bas-fonds), maize, manioc, peanut, yam, and sweet potato.[6] Ouinhi also has natural deposits of gypsum, laterite, sand, gravel, and limestone.[6] In 2025, a 400-hectare irrigated perimeter was launched at Ahogo-Ouokon within Ouinhi commune under the PACOFIDE project to boost rice production.[7]
Governance
Infrastructure & Services
With decentralization reforms, the commune has gained more responsibilities in managing potable water services, although delays and resource constraints remain challenges as identified in recent studies.
