Benin 2026 Presidential Election: BR Explains Choice of Romuald Wadagni as Candidate
The National Executive Bureau (BEN) of the Bloc Républicain (BR) held an extraordinary session on Sunday, August 31, 2025, in Cotonou, chaired by its leader Abdoulaye Bio Tchané. On the agenda was a single item: the designation of the party’s candidate for the 2026 presidential election.
Patrice Talon et les ministres Wadagni et Tchane
After analysis and debate, the BEN chose Romuald Wadagni, current Minister of State in charge of Economy and Finance. A chartered accountant by training and holder of a Master’s degree in Finance, Wadagni built an international career of more than 15 years with Deloitte in France and the United States before joining President Patrice Talon’s government in 2016.
Recognized as one of the main architects of the regime’s economic and financial reforms, Romuald Wadagni embodies, according to the BR, the ideal profile to “ensure continuity and strengthen the achievements of reforms undertaken for nearly a decade.”
The final communiqué emphasized that his expertise, technocratic rigor, and managerial experience are key assets to meet the future challenges of national development.
International experience highlighted
Before joining the government, Romuald Wadagni gained solid international experience. Starting in 1998, he joined Deloitte in France before continuing his career in the United States from 2003 onward.
Through this path, he developed advanced expertise in various fields related to economic and financial development, which, according to the BR, enabled him to contribute effectively to modernizing the management of Benin’s public finances.
With this choice, the Bloc Républicain confirms its alignment with the vision of continuity advocated by the presidential movement. The BEN also called on “all its members and supporters for full mobilization” ahead of the crucial 2026 elections, described as decisive for “consolidating the foundations of Benin’s development.”
With this designation, Romuald Wadagni officially becomes the BR’s standard-bearer for the presidential election, further cementing his status as a major candidate of the ruling coalition in the 2026 race.