Benin: Romuald Wadagni named ruling party candidate for 2026 presidential election in Benin
Romuald Wadagni, current Minister of Economy and Finance of Benin, has been officially nominated as the ruling coalition’s candidate for the April 2026 presidential election. The announcement was made on August 31, 2025, by the presidents of the Progressive Union for Renewal (UPR) and the Republican Bloc (BR), the two main political parties backing outgoing President Patrice Talon.
Widely regarded as one of the key architects of the country’s economic reforms, Wadagni enjoys strong support from the ruling political class. Joseph Djogbénou, president of the UPR, praised a candidacy aimed at “accelerating Benin’s transformation,” while Abdoulaye Bio Tchané, president of the BR, highlighted Wadagni’s central role in consolidating the achievements of the past ten years.
Trained in France and the United States and a chartered accountant by profession, Romuald Wadagni has been a close ally of President Talon since he took office in 2016. He has also served as Minister of State since 2021.
The April 2026 presidential election will mark the end of Patrice Talon’s two constitutional terms. Candidates have until October 11, 2025, to submit their applications.
