I have a conviction on my background but I have not had any pending cases in 3 years. I am a US citizen and I'm 21.

I want to travel to Liberia with a friend that is from Liberia, do I need visa or just my passport?

I want to travel to Benin with a friend that is from Benin, do I need visa or just my passport?

You need to apply for visas to travel in both countries, and of course you always need your current passport to travel outside of your country. I don't think you will be able to apply for visas though because of your background as a conviction.

Are you saying I can't travel to Africa? Because I need a visa?

You need to apply for visas to travel in both countries, and of course you always need your current passport to travel outside of your country. I don't think you will be able to apply for visas though because of your background as a conviction.

Liberian Tourist Visa Requirements for US Citizens: Liberia visa application form, requirements and instructions (http://liberia.travisa.com/)

Benin Tourist Visa Requirements for US Citizens: Benin Visa Application | Benin Visa Instructions & Requirements | Benin Visa (http://benin.travisa.com/TVSVisaInstructions.aspx?CountryID=BJ&&PartnerID=TA&GLID=AUS&CitizenshipID=US)

Do you have a current passport? US Passport Status - Check the Status of Your US Passport - US Passport Status (http://uspassportstatus.org/)

You will also need to check the requirements for each country you will be stopping over in or passing through.