Benin unveils first government lineup under president wadagni

Within hours of taking office, President Romuald Wadagni signed Decree No. 2026-314, dated May 24, 2026, formalizing the composition of his inaugural cabinet. The executive team comprises 22 ministers and three deputy ministers, with Wilson Gakpéto appointed as Secretary-General of the Government via a separate decree. The cabinet structure was announced by Aristide DJIDJOHO, Secretary-General of the Presidency.

Full roster of the Wadagni administration’s first cabinet

Key appointments include:

Yvon Détchénou as Minister of Justice and Legislation
Aristide Médenou as Minister of Economy and Finance, overseeing cooperation
Corinne Amori Brunet as Minister of Foreign Affairs
Djibril Mama Cissé Moussa as Deputy Minister at the Presidency, responsible for Interior and Public Security
Gildas Agonkan as Deputy Minister at the Presidency, in charge of National Defense
Olushegun Adjadi Bakari as Minister of Tourism and Foreign Trade, with additional oversight of Industry and Private Investment Promotion
Ady Yéton Bloukounon Goubalan as Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries
Benjamin Hounkpatin as Minister of Health
Sedami Medegan Fagla as Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, including Technical Training
Clément Couchadé as Minister of Secondary Education and Armand Kouyema Nata as Minister of Primary and Early Childhood Education
Véronique Tognifodé as Minister of Family and Social Action
Janvier Yahouédéou as Minister of Decentralization and Local Governance
Yassine Latoundji as Minister of Culture, Arts, and Heritage
Shadia Assouma as Minister of Domestic Trade, tasked with Informal Economy Formalization
Mahouna Aklogan as Minister of Digital Transformation and Innovation, leading the National AI Strategy
Edouard Dahomey as Minister of Energy, Water, and Mines
Georges Alley as Minister of Living Environment and Transport, with a focus on Sustainable Development
Hawaou Bako as Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Employment Promotion, including Vocational Training
Aurélie Adam-Soulé-Epouse Zoumarou as Minister of Communication and Media
Benoît Dato as Minister of Sports and Civic Engagement

Three deputy ministers report to the Ministry of Economy and Finance:

Nicolas Yenoussi (Finance and Microfinance)
Rodrigue Chaou (Budget and Public Service)
Hugues-Oscar Lokossou (External Resource Mobilization and Debt Management)

Additionally, Wilson Gakpéto has been designated as Secretary-General of the Government through Decree No. 315, cementing his role in coordinating cabinet operations.