The Dispatch | Benin | Gulf of Guinea

Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni has been endorsed by President Patrice Talon as the ruling coalition’s candidate for the April 2026 election. Our latest Dispatch examines : Wadagni’s technocratic profile and credibility with the IMF & World Bank ; the challenge of converting elite recognition into popular legitimacy ; fiscal trade-offs as security spending pressures rise ; strategic dependencies on Nigeria and Niger, including the pipeline corridor amid diplomatic tensions. The balance between Western partners and Sahelian neighbors increasingly aligned with Moscow. Key takeaway : If elected, Wadagni’s ability to manage fiscal pressures and navigate complex regional diplomacy will be decisive for Benin’s stability and investor risk outlook. Read the full Dispatch here.