Benin 2026 Presidential Election: Romuald Wadagni Named Candidate of the Ruling Coalition
The choice is now official. Minister of Economy and Finance Romuald Wadagni will represent the presidential coalition in the 2026 election in Benin. Backed by the Progressive Union for Renewal (UPR) and the Republican Bloc (BR), the current Finance Minister will be joined by Mariam Chabi Talata Zimé Yérima, who has been reappointed as vice-presidential candidate.
Romuald Wadagni – Ministre de l’économie et des finances
The ruling majority has ended the suspense. Gathered around President Patrice Talon, the two main political blocs of the coalition unanimously designated Romuald Wadagni as their candidate for the March 2026 presidential election. The Minister of State in charge of Economy and Finance, considered the architect of the regime’s fiscal discipline, will carry the ruling party’s banner alongside outgoing Vice President Mariam Chabi Talata.
At 49 years old and a former Deloitte executive, Wadagni embodies the generational renewal sought by Talon. Since 2016, he has established himself as the face of economic rigor, with successful eurobond issuances, refusals of debt relief, and the launch of sustainable bonds. His expertise has earned Benin international recognition, boosting the country’s appeal to donors and investors.
Supporters already portray him as the man of continuity and the consolidation of reforms in a context where social expectations remain high.
The upcoming electoral battle will therefore be crucial in determining whether Romuald Wadagni can embody not only economic discipline but also the political acumen necessary to convince voters in the first round, scheduled for April 12, 2026.