The outgoing President of Bénin, Patrice Talon, presided over his final Council of Ministers meeting on May 13, 2026, at the Palais de la Marina in Cotonou. The historic session brought together the entire government, including the president-elect Romuald Wadagni, marking the end of Talon’s second term in office.

Emotions ran high during the meeting, as members of the executive reflected on nearly a decade of reforms initiated in 2016. Patrice Talon took the floor to express his gratitude to ministers for their dedication. “I ask for your understanding regarding any hardships my approach may have caused. My only motivation was to push boundaries and achieve the highest possible results”, he shared, acknowledging the personal toll of his leadership style.

Talon also addressed his governance philosophy, emphasizing the necessity of strict oversight in public administration. He framed this approach as essential to fulfilling the nation’s development goals and ensuring efficient execution of government policies.

Romuald Wadagni reaffirms commitment to continuity

The presence of Romuald Wadagni, a former finance minister in Talon’s cabinet, stood out as a pivotal moment in the transition process. The president-elect praised the outgoing administration’s achievements, particularly in economic transformation and structural reforms. “The national transformation agenda will continue with the same level of rigor and excellence”, he assured the assembled ministers, signaling policy continuity.

Wadagni’s participation in a sitting of the Council of Ministers before his official inauguration underscored the seamless handover planned for the coming days. His remarks reflected confidence in building upon existing initiatives while introducing new priorities for Bénin’s future.

Transition scheduled for May 24

The final meeting concluded with a warm farewell among government officials at the Palais de la Marina. This gathering represented the symbolic end of an era under Talon’s leadership, paving the way for the next chapter in Bénin’s political history.

The official transfer of power between Patrice Talon and Romuald Wadagni is set for May 24, 2026. The president-elect will be sworn in the same day at the Palais des Congrès in Cotonou, as stipulated by the constitutional timeline for the transition of power.