Romuald Wadagni, Benin’s finance minister, has won the country’s presidential election by a wide margin, securing more than 94 percent of the vote based on provisional results that electoral officials say are already beyond doubt.
Romuald Wadagni, 49, was declared the clear winner after more than 90 percent of ballots were counted, according to the electoral commission. The body’s head, Sacca Lafia, said the scale of the result made the outcome “irreversible”.
Read also: Benin joins Morocco, Burkina Faso as deflation pockets remerge in Africa
The victory confirms Wadagni as the successor to Patrice Talon, who is stepping down after completing the constitutional limit of two five year terms. Backed by the governing coalition, Wadagni entered the race as the overwhelming favourite in an election widely seen as lacking genuine competition.
His only challenger, Paul Hounkpè, conceded defeat before the final tally was announced, acknowledging that early results clearly pointed to Wadagni’s victory. He called for unity, saying democracy requires respect and the ability to rise above political divisions.
Read also: Benin Republic sees early interest from Nigerian manufacturers on tax exemptions
The race was shaped by the absence of a strong opposition. The main opposition party, the Democrats, failed to field a candidate after its preferred contender could not secure the required endorsements from elected officials, a legal condition for running. That left Hounkpè as the sole opponent, reinforcing perceptions that the vote was largely a formality.
Voter turnout stood at 58.75 percent among nearly eight million registered voters, with reports of slow early participation in parts of the country, including the economic hub of Cotonou.
Wadagni now takes office at a moment of growing pressure on Benin’s stability. While long regarded as one of West Africa’s more resilient democracies, the country faces rising insecurity, particularly in its northern regions. Attacks linked to the jihadist group Jama’at Nusrat al Islam wal Muslimeen have intensified, including incidents that killed dozens of soldiers in the past year.
The worsening security situation was among the factors cited in a failed coup attempt four months ago, an episode that briefly shook confidence in the country’s political order.
Despite steady economic growth, including a reported 7.5 percent expansion in 2024, poverty remains widespread, and many citizens say the benefits of growth have yet to reach them.
Read also: Why pension gains must not be taken for granted
Wadagni’s presidency will therefore be judged not only on maintaining political stability, but on his ability to address deepening insecurity and deliver tangible improvements in living conditions across a country of roughly 15 million people.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
