President wadagni unveils his first government in Bénin

Just hours following his official swearing-in, President Romuald Wadagni has formally established his inaugural cabinet for Bénin. This new administrative team, comprising twenty-two ministers and three delegated ministers, was officially constituted through Decree No. 2026-314, issued on May 24, 2026. The decree’s details were publicly announced by Aristide DJIDJOHO, the Secretary-General of the Presidency. Separately, Wilson Gakpéto received his appointment as the Secretary-General of the Government.

members of president wadagni’s initial cabinet

The key appointments in President Wadagni’s first government are as follows:

• Yvon Détchénou: Keeper of the Seals, Minister of Justice and Legislation
• Aristide Médenou: Minister of Economy and Finance, also responsible for Cooperation
• Corinne Amori Brunet: Minister of Foreign Affairs
• Djibril Mama cissé Moussa: Minister Delegate to the President of the Republic, overseeing Interior and Public Security
• Gildas Agonkan: Minister Delegate to the President of the Republic, responsible for National Defense
• Olushegun Adjadi Bakari: Minister of Tourism and Foreign Trade, with responsibilities for Industry and Private Investment Promotion
• Ady Yéton Bloukounon Goubalan: Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries
• Benjamin Hounkpatin: Minister of Health
• Sedami Medegan Fagla: Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, also in charge of Technical Training
• Clément Couchadé: Minister of Secondary Education
• Armand Kouyema Nata: Minister of Maternal and Primary Education
• Véronique Tognifodé: Minister of Family and Social Action
• Janvier Yahouédéou: Minister of Decentralization and Local Governance
• Yassine Latoundji: Minister of Culture, Arts, and Heritage
• Shadia Assouma: Minister of Internal Trade, responsible for the Formalization of the Economy
• Mahouna Aklogan: Minister of Digital Transformation and Innovation, overseeing the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy
• Edouard Dahomey: Minister of Energy, Water, and Mines
• Georges Alley: Minister of Living Environment and Transport, also tasked with Sustainable Development
• Hawaou Bako: Minister of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Employment Promotion, in charge of Vocational Training
• Aurélie Adam-Soulé-Epouse Zoumarou: Minister of Communication, responsible for Media
• Benoît Dato: Minister of Sports and Civic Engagement
• Nicolas Yenoussi: Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance, focusing on Finance and Microfinance
• Rodrigue Chaou: Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance, responsible for Budget and Public Service
• Hugues-Oscar Lokossou: Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance, overseeing External Resource Mobilization and Debt Management

Furthermore, Presidential Decree No. 315 officially designated Wilson Gakpéto as the Secretary-General of the Government, a pivotal role in the new administration.