May 24, 2026
Benins president Romuald Wadagni (C-R) and First Lady of Benin Nathalie Villette-Wadagni (C-L) wave to the crowd following the swearing-in ceremony at the Palais des Congres in Cotonou on May 24, 2026. Elected with more than 94% of the vote last month, Benins Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni was officially sworn in on May 24, 2026 as president of the West African country, succeeding his mentor Patrice Talon, who stepped down after a decade in power. (Photo by Yanick FOLLY / AFP)
The former finance minister of Benin, Romuald Wadagni, officially became the country’s president on Sunday, taking over from his predecessor — and ex-boss — Patrice Talon.
Wadagni, an economist with a reputation as a technocrat who embodies continuity with Talon’s two mandates, was elected on April 12.
He won 94 percent of the ballots, easily beating his sole token opponent, Paul Hounkpe. Hounkpe’s party quickly joined forces with Wadagni’s party in the parliament.
