Parakou, Benin

Capital City

If you're considering moving to Parakou, be prepared for a population boom - the city has nearly doubled in size to 255,478 over the last 15-20 years. As a major market town, Parakou attracts a diverse mix of African ethnicities, but this diversity comes with persistent bureaucratic headaches. The climate is tropical, with hot and humid conditions year-round. On the plus side, Parakou is a transportation hub, serving as the endpoint of a railway to the coast and sitting at the intersection of two major highways. Overall, this fast-growing city is best suited for those comfortable navigating a crowded, bureaucratic environment in exchange for access to regional trade and commerce.