The association Quartier Ouest, through its program Just a Kid From Africa, presents its new project: Frenchies Love Cotonou.
This project aims to organize a solidarity trip to Cotonou, the economic capital of Benin, from Sunday, August 2 to Monday, August 24, 2026.
On the agenda: distribution of sports and recreational equipment, meetings with children in orphanages, and basketball training camps.
This trip will also be an opportunity to experience the Beninese edition of the Quartier Ouest x SG229 tournament, taking place in Cotonou from Friday, August 7 to Sunday, August 9, 2026, as well as to explore some of the most iconic sites of Cotonou and Benin.
WHO ARE WE?
Based in Normandy, the association Quartier Ouest has been active for over 15 years and is now considered a reference in France for organizing basketball-related sports events. These include youth training camps, solidarity missions, and tournaments — the most famous being the Quartier Ouest Tournament. This event brings together professional and amateur players from all over France, Europe, North America, and even Japan. Notably, French international and NBA player Nicolas Batum of the L.A. Clippers has taken part.
The Just A Kid From Africa program is an eco-citizen initiative launched by the French association Quartier Ouest.
A donation for Haiti, in partnership with the association Accueil et Partage:
Two containers of essential goods were sent to the capital, Port-au-Prince, following the devastating earthquake that struck the island in 2010.
Sports and educational supplies sent to multiple destinations:
- 2015: Rabat 🇲🇦 (Morocco)
- 2015: Togo 🇹🇬, via the association FiveHearts
- 2016: Donations to a church in Alexandria 🇪🇬 (Egypt), which has been welcoming Sudanese refugees for over 30 years
- 2017: Abidjan 🇨🇮 (Ivory Coast)
- 2009, 2019, and since 2021: Democratic Republic of Congo 🇨🇩
- Since 2016: Annual shipments to Cameroon 🇨🇲
- 2022: Brazzaville 🇨🇬 (Congo)
- 2022: Gorée Island 🇸🇳 (Senegal), via the association Nio Far
- 2022 & 2024: Cotonou and Porto-Novo 🇧🇯 (Benin)
In the DRC 🇨🇩, we have also helped fund school fees for students and high schoolers in Kinshasa.
We supported Christmas events for children in Pakadjuma and in orphanages.
On the sports side, we backed several basketball tournaments and academies by providing equipment and logistical support.
We’ve also organized training camps and youth meetups to promote exchange, learning, and the growth of local basketball.
In partnership with the Heart of L.A Foundation 🇺🇸, we donated tickets to allow youth from underprivileged neighborhoods in Los Angeles to attend NBA games and even play on the Staples Center court.
In France 🇫🇷, through various partnerships, we’ve helped people in need — notably migrants in the Ouistreham area — by distributing over a hundred heated blankets.
For more information about the Just A Kid From Africa project, just click here.
Cotonou & Benin
A SAFE AND AUTHENTIC DESTINATION
A quick geographical reminder: Benin is one of the most stable countries in West Africa, known for its safety, democracy, and the legendary hospitality of its people. Cotonou, the economic capital, is a peaceful, lively, and welcoming city—far from the clichés often associated with the region.
Located on the Atlantic coast, Cotonou is the beating heart of Benin’s economy. It hosts most of the country’s modern infrastructure: an international airport, major highways, hotels, cultural centers, markets, restaurants, and above all, a young and vibrant population that keeps the city alive day and night.
Cotonou is also a major hub for regional trade, thanks to its large seaport, and a thriving cultural center where tradition and modernity meet.
Benin is a country with a rich history, notably as the birthplace of the former Kingdom of Dahomey. It is also the cradle of Vodun (Voodoo), officially recognized and widely practiced in a spirit of respect for traditional beliefs.
Cotonou lies just a few kilometers from major cultural and historical sites like Abomey, Porto-Novo (the administrative capital), Ouidah (a key location of memory related to the slave trade), and Ganvié, the famous stilt village nicknamed the « Venice of Africa. »
The city is known for its warm atmosphere, way of life, vibrant colors, music (with artists like Angélique Kidjo and Zeynab), and cuisine made from yam, maize, fish, or peanut sauce.
Its famous Dantokpa Market is one of the largest in West Africa—a true maze of sounds, smells, and colorful fabrics.
For those seeking relaxation: the beaches of Fidjrossè, canoe rides on Lake Nokoué, and sunsets at the marina await you.
Accessible, charming, full of life, and safe, Cotonou is much more than a host city—it’s a gateway to the full cultural and human richness of Benin.
OUR STARTING FIVE
This region remains an off-the-beaten-path destination—still largely unknown and therefore refreshingly authentic—where everything is still possible. It’s a perfect fit for true travelers seeking meaningful moments and unique experiences, so rare in today’s overly sanitized, mass-tourism world.
Essential to the success of this journey, here are the five core pillars that will guide our experience. Here’s a sneak peek:
1) Solidarity
With a population of around 15 million, nearly half of whom are under the age of 15, Benin is an incredibly young country. However, the lack of quality infrastructure limits the opportunities for this youth to fully thrive and reach their potential.
2) Education
In Benin, approximately 700,000 children are not enrolled in school. In the Atacora region, 56.9% of children are either out of school or have never attended, and only 60.24% of primary school students complete their education. These challenges highlight the urgent need for educational support and initiatives aimed at giving every child a fair chance at a better future.
3) Nature & Traditions
Cotonou has a tropical climate—hot and humid—with alternating dry and rainy seasons. Located along the Atlantic Ocean, the city is surrounded by water bodies like Lake Nokoué and the Cotonou Lagoon, offering a peaceful atmosphere and opportunities for boat rides or beachside relaxation.
Despite its rapid urban growth, Cotonou maintains a deep connection to nature and tradition. Just outside the city, you’ll find lake villages like Ganvié—often called the “Venice of Africa”—where life flows gently on water. To the west, the historic town of Ouidah reveals traces of the Dahomey Kingdom and the transatlantic slave trade, while also granting access to wild beaches and preserved natural landscapes.
Cotonou is a city with a strong identity, blending modernity with ancestral heritage. Here, voodoo culture coexists with innovation and youth-led creativity. Between colorful markets, street art, music, and local cuisine, Benin’s economic capital offers the perfect gateway to a country that is rich, safe, and deeply welcoming.
4) Arts & History
Cotonou is rooted in a rich and complex history shaped by the powerful Kingdom of Dahomey, which dominated the region until French colonization. This prestigious yet often painful past—especially due to its role in the transatlantic slave trade—still resonates today through the cultural and historical landmarks found in and around the city.
Key sites to explore include the Slave Route in Ouidah, the sacred Python Temple, the iconic Door of No Return, and the Historical Museum of Abomey, once the royal capital of the Dahomey Kingdom. In Cotonou itself, lively markets like Dantokpa, colorful street murals, voodoo shrines, and colonial architecture reflect a rich blend of traditions and influences.
This journey offers the opportunity to explore the highlights of Cotonou and southern Benin at a balanced pace—combining cultural immersion, seaside relaxation, and authentic local encounters—for an experience that’s both meaningful and accessible to all.
5) Basketball
Basketball is the heartbeat of this journey — without it, this adventure wouldn’t exist. It stands as the second most popular team sport in Benin, just behind football, and holds a significant place in both the city of Cotonou and the country at large.
One of Benin’s most well-known players is Mouphtaou Yarou, whose impressive career spans the NCAA at Villanova and the French Jeep Élite league, making him a national icon.
Several international players of Beninese origin have also made their mark playing for other countries:
- Eric Micoud (France), a former professional player and popular NBA Extra TV analyst.
- Edwige Lawson-Wade and Isabelle Yacoubou (France), both silver medalists at the 2012 London Olympics.
- Valériane Ayayi (France), silver medalist at the 2024 Olympic Games.
- The Ayayi brothers (France): Joel, who had a stint in the NBA and now plays for Bourg-en-Bresse, and GĂ©rald, currently at Cholet Basket.
- Ian Mahinmi (France), who played several seasons in the NBA.
- Rui Hachimura (Japan), whose father is Beninese, currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA.
THE PROGRAM
The Frenchies Love Cotonou project is above all a solidarity journey, with the main goal of discovering the economic capital of the Republic of Benin, while carrying out a small humanitarian mission.
Orphanage Visit
We will organize a special visit to a local orphanage with activities and the distribution of donations.
Sports
Basketball tournaments and mini-camps will be held, along with the donation of equipment to local clubs.
Nature & Discovery
Several must-see locations are included in the itinerary:
- Fidjrossè Beach – perfect for relaxing or enjoying the sunset.
- Ganvié (30 min) – the “Venice of Africa,” a stilt village built on water.
- Ouidah (1h) – Slave Route, Door of No Return, History Museum, and voodoo temples.
- Porto-Novo (1h) – the administrative capital, known for its colonial architecture and museums.
Arts & History
Cotonou, with over 2 million inhabitants, offers vibrant cultural landmarks such as:
- Dantokpa Market – the largest market in West Africa, a sensory dive into local life.
- The Amazon Statue & Square – a powerful symbol of Beninese resistance and pride.
- Notre-Dame Cathedral – a colonial-era church in the heart of the city.
- Cotonou Central Mosque – a key religious and architectural site.
- Zinsou Foundation – a contemporary art center promoting African creativity.
Surprises Await!
We’ve planned a few surprises that will be revealed in due time!
Free Time
You’ll have moments to explore on your own. For those who fall in love with Cotonou and Benin (and you will!), this is the perfect opportunity to discover more on your own terms.
Cotonou
During our trip, our home base will be Cotonou, the largest city and economic capital of Benin.
Located in the south of the country, along the Atlantic Ocean, Cotonou is a vibrant city that serves as a political, economic, and cultural hub. It is home to many national institutions, embassies, corporate headquarters, and key infrastructures such as the Cardinal Bernardin Gantin International Airport, the autonomous port, and several universities.
Rapidly developing, Cotonou offers a unique blend of modernity and tradition, with lively markets like Dantokpa — one of the largest in West Africa — sandy beaches, restaurants, cultural centers, and quiet residential areas.
Cotonou will be the perfect launching point for our various activities: solidarity actions, cultural exchanges, basketball camps, and excursions to Benin’s key landmarks. In short, a city where everyone can grow both personally and culturally.
Phone
Several mobile operators provide national coverage with internet access: MTN, Moov.
The country code for Benin is +229, followed by the local number (without the initial 0).
To call abroad from Benin: dial 00, the country code, and the number (without the leading 0).
CFA Franc
The official currency in Benin is the CFA Franc.
Yango
Yango is a ride-hailing and delivery service, similar to Uber in France, operating in Benin and several other African countries.
Click here to access the registration form for Frenchies Love Cotonou, and to find more details and pricing information.
FULL Package: 21 nights / from Sunday, August 2 to Monday, August 24, 2026
2W Package: 14 nights / from Sunday, August 2 to Monday, August 17, 2026
1W Package: 8 nights / from Sunday, August 2 to Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Note: Only the 21-night package includes round-trip support from Paris Airport to Cotonou Airport.
⚠️ It is also possible to coordinate with the association to adjust your arrival and departure dates, if needed.
Click here to access the membership form for the association.
A membership with the Quartier Ouest association is required to participate in the trip.
This membership is valid from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026.
THIS TRIP INCLUDES:
- Welcome and assistance
- Airport/hotel transfers
- Activities listed in the program
- Accommodation
- Round-trip flights from Paris (You may also book your own flight)
THIS PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Extras and personal expenses
- Local transportation
- Meals
- Personal insurance
- VISA and passport fees
Registrations are now open…
Interested in this trip? Have questions?
Feel free to contact us at the following address: justakidfromafrica@gmail.com
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