Controversy over the remuneration of Beninese leaders: the government plays the card of restraint

Questioned by the opposition about the sensitive issue of the salaries of high-ranking state officials, the Beninese government, through its spokesperson, Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji, responded on Friday, June 20, 2025.

During a meeting with the press at the headquarters of the daily newspaper Fraternité, the executive’s communication officer stated that “the debates will take place in the National Assembly, at the appropriate time”.

This statement comes following the official submission to parliament of an oral question calling for a debate by thirteen deputies from the parliamentary group Les Démocrates. They are asking for precise clarifications about the remuneration of the President of the Republic, the Vice-President, government members, presidents of constitutional institutions, as well as several directors of strategic agencies.

Without revealing figures, the spokesperson wanted to remind that the salaries of personalities are framed by official texts, underlining the legality and regularity of the remuneration in force. However, he did not provide any indication as to a possible publication of pay slips or decrees setting these salaries.

A recurring and controversial subject

The issue of leaders’ salaries is not new. Already in 2018, rumors suggested monthly salaries of 16 million FCFA for ministers. At that time, President Patrice Talon formally denied these amounts, talking about a wish to rationalize pay in the context of the reform of public administration.

He explained that official salaries were low, but often compensated by bonuses or benefits in kind, hence the need to clarify and unify remuneration schemes.

The oral question from the deputies about the treatment of high-ranking officials has stirred up social media due to suspicion over the vast gap that would exist between political remuneration and that of other constituted bodies of the state.

Public opinion pressure and the parliamentary initiative could pave the way for increased transparency on the remuneration of senior officials. In the meantime, the government is playing it cool and deferring the debate to the parliamentary chamber.