Cotonou: In a decisive move, Benin’s ruling coalition has officially nominated Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni as its candidate for the 2026 presidential election, signaling continuity in the country’s economic and development policies. Wadagni, a former Deloitte executive turned seasoned government technocrat, has helmed the Ministry of Economy and Finance since 2016 and is widely credited with implementing reforms that strengthened public finances while funding ambitious infrastructure projects.
The nomination received unanimous backing from both the Republican Bloc and the Progressive Union for Renewal, the two major parties forming the ruling coalition. Leaders praised Wadagni’s alignment with outgoing President Patrice Talon’s development agenda. President Talon, who has committed to stepping down after two terms a rare gesture in West and Central Africa personally endorsed Wadagni, describing him as the ideal candidate to carry forward Benin’s economic momentum. Political analysts, including Fidele Ayena, noted that the coalition’s unified decision reflects strong internal consensus and avoids the need for divisive primaries, presenting a cohesive front ahead of next year’s election.
Wadagni’s candidacy stands in sharp contrast to recent trends in neighboring countries, where leaders in nations like Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic have sought to extend their mandates through constitutional amendments. This trend, coupled with a series of coups between 2020 and 2023, has sparked concerns about democratic backsliding in the region. In this context, Benin’s approach with a voluntary presidential transition and a clear handover plan marks a notable exception, underscoring its commitment to political stability and institutional continuity.
The selection of Wadagni positions him as a key figure to continue and deepen the development initiatives launched during Talon’s tenure. Among the pressing challenges he is expected to tackle are youth employment, strengthening social safety nets, and improving citizens’ purchasing power, while sustaining economic growth. Observers suggest that his technocratic background, combined with political support from the ruling coalition, could make him a formidable candidate in the upcoming election.
With the formal campaign set to begin in the months ahead, all eyes in Benin and the wider West African region will be on how Wadagni translates his financial expertise into a broader political mandate, and whether his leadership can sustain the momentum of economic and social reforms in the years to come.