Presidential race in Benin: Daniel Edah unveils a 12-pillar social project
Daniel Edah, a former candidate in the 2016 presidential election and a well-known figure in Benin’s political landscape, has officially announced his candidacy for the 2026 presidential election. In a solemn speech filled with patriotism and a call for unity on Thursday, May 29, 2025, he positions himself as the man of a collective project aimed at national reconciliation, shared economic prosperity, and rebuilding trust between the people and their leaders.
Daniel Edah, Beninese politician
Already a bearer of a political vision in 2016, Daniel Edah is revisiting an ambition he claims has been consistent since 2014: to make Benin an economically prosperous and socially stable country, integrated into a transforming Africa. His declaration, delivered in a conciliatory tone, is primarily a call to turn the page on divisions.
“I am not here to claim personal power; I am here to serve,” he asserts.
The foundation of his program rests on what he calls a “production and transformation economy,” a strategy that focuses on decentralized industrialization, the development of local processing units, and support for entrepreneurship. According to him, this approach is the key to inclusive growth, sustainable employment for young people, and strengthening the economic fabric in the country’s 77 communes.
At the same time, Daniel Edah promises to establish inclusive governance based on transparency, justice, and accountability. He proposes, in particular, to guarantee the respect due to former heads of state, to secure the release of political prisoners, and to facilitate the return of exiles.
An Outstretched Hand for Sponsorship
Aware of the sponsorship lock imposed by the electoral code, he directly addresses the elected officials. “Sponsoring Daniel Edah’s candidacy is not about supporting a man; it is about choosing peace.” A statement that summarizes his desire to move beyond political divisions and engage in a dynamic of unity.
Notably, in the current political landscape, Daniel Edah refuses to challenge the achievements of previous regimes. On the contrary, he advocates for a culture of state continuity, citing the presidencies of Soglo, Kérékou, Yayi, and Talon as foundations on which to build.