About 42 African ethnic groups live in this country; these various groups settled in Benin at different times and have also migrated within the country. Ethnic groups include:
- the Yoruba in the southeast and centre
- the Dendi in the north-central area
- the Bariba and the Fula (or Fulani, Fulbe, Peul)
- the Betammaribe and the Somba in the Atacora Range
- the Fon in the area around Abomey in the South Central
- the Mina, Xweda, and Aja on the coast.