Lalo, Benin

Lalo is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Kouffo Department of south-western Benin. The commune covers an area of and as of 2013 had a population of 119,926 people.

Geography

Lalo is situated in the north-western part of the Kouffo Department, bordering the Republic of Togo on its western side.
It is bounded to the north by the commune of Klouékanmè, to the south by Dogbo, to the east by other communes and to the west by the Togo border. The relief consists of low plateaux, lateritic soils, and in some zones valley depressions favourable to market gardening.

Administration

The commune of Lalo is one of six communes in the Kouffo Department.
It is subdivided into several arrondissements : Adoukandji, Ahondjinnako, Ahomadégbé, Banigbé, Gnizounmè, Hlassamè, Lalo, Lokogba, Tchito, Tohou and Zalli.

Demographics

According to the 2013 census, the total population of the commune stood at 119 926, with 56 529 males and 63 397 females.
The intercensal annual growth rate for the commune between 2002 and 2013 is given as approximately 3.68 %.

Economy

Agriculture remains the dominant economic activity in Lalo, with a high proportion of households engaged in farming and market-gardening.
Important crops include maize, cassava, groundnuts, cotton and vegetables grown in bas-fonds. The commune reports one of the lowest school enrolment and literacy rates in the department, which correlates with its agrarian economy and rural character.