Fresh from his inauguration, Beninese President Romuald Wadagni, who succeeded Patrice Talon, convened his first-ever Council of Ministers on May 28, 2026, signaling the official launch of his seven-year term. This landmark meeting set the tone for the administration’s direction, core values, and transformative ambitions over the coming years.

The inaugural session established two overriding priorities for this mandate. The first focuses on eradicating extreme poverty and bridging development gaps between municipalities. President Wadagni emphasized the need for a bold regional development strategy, ensuring that remote and underserved areas gradually close the socioeconomic divide. The second priority is national security, given the persistent regional instability. The President directed the government to strengthen defense mechanisms and safeguard the country’s territorial integrity.

In terms of governance structure, President Wadagni introduced a more disciplined and structured approach. The Council of Ministers will now meet monthly, on the first Wednesday, while the Interministerial Committee will convene twice a month—on the first and third Mondays. Thematic Cabinet meetings will supplement these sessions, enabling closer monitoring of sector-specific policies. This streamlined framework reflects a commitment to consistent, high-standards governance.

Closing the session, Wadagni urged his team to ‘roll up their sleeves and get to work,’ firmly believing that the quality of execution will directly enhance living conditions across Benin. This first Council meeting laid out a clear blueprint for a results-driven, equitable, and unified administration—a monumental task ahead as the country steps into this new seven-year journey.