Pobè — Mediated Wiki

{{Infobox settlement   | name = Pobè | other_name = | native_name =  | nickname = | settlement_type = Commune and city | motto =  | image_skyline = | imagesize = | image_caption = | image_flag = | flag_size = | image_seal = | seal_size = | image_shield = | shield_size = | image_map = | mapsize = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = Benin | pushpin_label_position = bottom | pushpin_mapsize = 200 | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Benin  | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|Benin}} | subdivision_type1 = Department | subdivision_name1 = Plateau Department | subdivision_type2 = | subdivision_name2 = | | government_footnotes = | government_type = | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = Simon Adébayo DINAN | leader_title1 =  | leader_name1 = | established_title =  | established_date =  | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = 400 | area_land_km2 =   | population_as_of = 2013 | population_footnotes = | population_note = | population_total = 123,740 | population_density_km2 = auto | population_metro = | population_density_metro_km2 =  | timezone = WAT | utc_offset = +1 | timezone_DST = | utc_offset_DST = | coordinates = {{coord|6|58|N|2|41|E|region:BJ|display=inline,title}} | elevation_footnotes =  | elevation_m = 39  | postal_code_type =  | postal_code = | area_code = | website = | footnotes = }}

'''Pobè''' {{IPA|fr|pɔ.bɛ|}} is a city and arrondissement located in the Plateau Department of Benin. The commune covers an area of 400 square kilometres and as of 2013 had a population of 123,740 people.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geohive.com/cntry/benin.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061016224715/http://www.geohive.com/cntry/benin.aspx |archive-date=2006-10-16 |title=GeoHive}}</ref>

== Geography == Pobè is a city and commune in the Plateau Department of southeastern Benin. The commune covers an area of about 400 square kilometres.<ref name="DecentralisationPobe">{{cite web |title=Commune de Pobe |url=https://decentralisation.gouv.bj/commune/67/pobe/ |website=Ministère de la Décentralisation et de la Gouvernance Locale |access-date=14 October 2025}}</ref> It is bordered to the north by the commune of Kétou, to the south and west by Adja-Ouèrè, and to the east by the Republic of Nigeria.<ref name="ANCBPobe">{{cite web |title=Pobè - ANCB |url=https://www.ancb.bj/index.php/association-2/plateau/pobe/ |website=Association Nationale des Communes du Bénin |access-date=14 October 2025}}</ref>

== Administrative divisions == The commune of Pobè comprises **five arrondissements**: Pobè-Centre (the urban arrondissement), and four rural arrondissements: Towé, Igana, Ahoyéyé, and Issaba. Together they include 44 villages and urban quarters.<ref name="DestBéninPobe">{{cite web |title=Destination Bénin : Pobè, hommage à Onigbolo pour son calcaire qui construit le Bénin |url=https://www.gouv.bj/article/1029/destination-benin-pobe-hommage-onigbolo-calcaire-construit-benin/ |website=Gouvernement de la République du Bénin |access-date=14 October 2025}}</ref><ref name="CCPpobe">{{cite web |title=Pobè – CCP |url=https://ccp.bj/commune/pobe/ |website=Communes et Collectivités du Bénin (CCP) |access-date=14 October 2025}}</ref>

== Population == According to the 2013 General Population and Housing Census (RGPH-4), Pobè had a population of about 123,677 inhabitants.<ref name="CitypopPobe">{{cite web |title=Pobè (Commune, Benin) - Population Statistics |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/benin/admin/plateau/114__pob%C3%A8/ |website=CityPopulation.de |access-date=14 October 2025}}</ref> The population growth between 1992 and 2002 was high, with 82,910 inhabitants in 2002 and ~54,181 in 1992, indicating an annual growth rate consistent with many borders communes of Plateau.<ref name="MonographiePobe">{{cite web |title=Monographie de la Commune de Pobè |url=https://fr.scribd.com/document/705359201/monographiedelacommunedepobe |website=Afrique Conseil & partenaires |access-date=14 October 2025}}</ref>

== Economy == Agriculture is the main economic activity in Pobè. Major crops include maize, manioc, yams, groundnut (arachide), palm oil, and vegetables.<ref name="CCPpobe" /><ref name="DestBéninPobe" /> Pobè also has significant mineral resources, notably limestone (in Onigbolo in the Issaba arrondissement), clay and “terre de barre”.<ref name="DestBéninPobe" /><ref name="DecentralisationPobe" /> The commune hosts a cement factory (Société des Ciments du Bénin, Groupe Lafarge) in Onigbolo, supplying clinker to many construction sites across Benin.<ref name="DecentralisationPobe" /><ref name="DestBéninPobe" />

== Infrastructure and Services == Pobè is governed by a mayor, currently Simon Adébayo Dinan (since June 2020).<ref name="DecentralisationPobe" /> It has 25 members in its communal council.<ref name="CCPpobe" /> The commune is part of the national electricity network and is involved in major development programs including a 25 MW solar photovoltaic plant to be built over 96 hectares.<ref name="DestBéninPobe" /> Pobè has a budget primitif de près de **1,976,786,921 FCFA** pour l’année 2021, visant notamment l’amélioration des routes, de l’école, et des services sociaux.<ref name="BudgetPobe2021">{{cite web |title=Pobè se dote d’un ambitieux budget de 1.976.786.921 FCFA pour 2021 |url=https://boulevard-des-infos.com/2020/12/16/benin-pobe-se-dote-dun-ambitieux-budget-de-1-976-786-921-fcfa-pour-2021/ |website=Boulevard des Infos |access-date=14 October 2025}}</ref>

== Culture, Language, and Ethnic Groups == The population of Pobè includes several ethnic and linguistic groups: Nago, Yoruba, Holli, Goun, Fon, and Adja.<ref name="DecentralisationPobe" /><ref name="ANCBPobe" /> The commune has a strong tradition of craftsmanship: wood carving, pottery, weaving are practiced. It also hosts cultural festivals, sacred forests, and traditional rituals, particularly in rural arrondissements and villages.<ref name="DestBéninPobe" /><ref name="MonographiePobe" />

== Climate and Environment == Pobè has a subequatorial climate with two rainy seasons and two dry seasons.<ref name="MonographiePobe" /> The relief is made up of plateaus and depressions; soils include fertile clay, limestone outcrops, and sandy loam. The village of Onigbolo in Issaba has notably rich limestone deposits.<ref name="DestBéninPobe" /><ref name="DecentralisationPobe" /> There are relic forests and forest patches (îlots forestiers) and potential for solar energy development due to good insolation.<ref name="CCPpobe" /><ref name="DestBéninPobe" />

== Governance == The commune of Pobè is administered under Benin’s decentralization law. The mayor and communal council oversee development, budgeting, and public services.<ref name="DecentralisationPobe" /> Pobè is also notable for being the seat (chef-lieu) of the Plateau Department since 2016.<ref name="PlateauPrefecture">{{cite web |title=Plateau Department - Préfecture |url=https://decentralisation.gouv.bj/prefecture/11/plateau/ |website=Ministère de la Décentralisation |access-date=14 October 2025}}</ref>

== References == <references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pobe}} Category:Communes of Benin Category:Arrondissements of Benin Category:Populated places in the Plateau Department

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