Benin’s ruling coalition has nominated Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni as its candidate for the April 2026 presidential election.
The Progressive Union for Renewal and the Republican Bloc made the joint announcement, citing Wadagni’s experience and alignment with President Patrice Talon’s development agenda.
Wadagni, a former Deloitte executive, joined the government in 2016 and led reforms to strengthen public finances and fund infrastructure as Minister of Economy and Finance.
The nomination positions Wadagni to potentially continue and deepen the development actions initiated since 2016 if elected.
The ruling parties urged activists and coalition members to support Wadagni’s candidacy, emphasizing his ability to address challenges such as youth employment and purchasing power.
Political analyst Fidele Ayena attributed the selection to strong internal consensus and President Talon’s personal endorsement, eliminating the need for primaries.
Regional Context
This development comes amid concerns about democracy in West and Central Africa, where leaders are increasingly seeking to extend their mandates.
Presidents Alassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast, Paul Biya of Cameroon, and Faustin-Archange Touadera of the Central African Republic plan to run for new terms, sparking anxiety about the region’s democratic future.
