Benin’s President Romuald Wadagni has held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, securing financing agreements worth nearly €100 million during his first official visit to France since taking office in May 2026.Wadagni was received at the Élysée Palace on 5 October, where the two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation in energy, vocational training, security, agriculture and culture. The visit coincided with a dinner of the Africa-France Impact Coalition (AFIC), which brought together African and French business leaders to deepen economic ties.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Benin signed two financing agreements with the French Development Agency (AFD) and a mandate letter with Bpifrance, totalling close to €100 million (about 65.5 billion CFA francs). The agreements are expected to support Benin’s development priorities, including investments, energy, agriculture and broader economic growth.
Macron described France and Benin as having a relationship of “friendship, trust, and ambition” and “a relationship between equals,” signalling France’s intent to rebuild economic and strategic partnerships across Africa. He also emphasised the desire to strengthen cross-investments and partnerships between French and Beninese companies.
For Wadagni, the Paris visit marks a significant diplomatic milestone, coming just months after his inauguration on the 24th of May 2026. The meeting opens what Beninese officials describe as a new sequence of dialogue with Paris, centred on investment, energy, agriculture and development.
The visit follows a series of regional tours by Wadagni since taking office, underscoring his administration’s focus on strengthening international partnerships to support Benin’s economic transformation. The financing secured in Paris is expected to bolster these efforts, providing resources for key sectors identified as priorities by the Beninese government.
The meeting takes place against the backdrop of France’s push to reposition itself in Africa, with plans to channel €23 billion into the continent as part of a broader effort to rebuild relationships with African partners. Wadagni’s visit is seen as part of this wider recalibration, as France seeks to deepen ties with emerging African leaders and economies.
For Benin, the outcome of the visit reinforces the country’s position as a growing partner for European investment and development cooperation. As the new financing agreements are implemented, attention will turn to how these resources translate into tangible projects and economic gains for Beninese citizens.
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