Benin’s Finance Minister, Romuald Wadagni, has secured a landslide victory in the country’s presidential election based on provisional results, positioning him to continue the economic direction set over the past decade.
The announcement, released by the Independent Electoral Commission (CENA), showed Wadagni winning more than 94 percent of the vote with about 90 percent of ballots counted. Turnout was reported at nearly 60 percent.
Widely seen as the preferred successor of outgoing President Patrice Talon, Wadagni represents continuity with an administration credited with strong economic growth, expansion in tourism, and major infrastructure development.
However, he is expected to face significant challenges in office, including rising inequality and growing insecurity in northern areas, where attacks have been linked to jihadist groups.
His only opponent, Paul Hounkpe, who ran a low-profile campaign, conceded defeat even before final results were fully collated.
“To… Romuald Wadagni, I offer my republican congratulations. Democracy requires mutual respect and the ability to rise above partisan divides,” Hounkpe said in his concession message.
The constitutional court is expected to announce the official final results later this week.
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