Wadagni Pitches Energy Security And Universal Electrification As Key To Benin’s 2030 Growth Vision

Romuald Wadagni, the current Finance Minister of Benin, has placed energy security and universal electricity access at the center of his campaign for the April 12, 2026, presidential election. Seen as the chosen successor of outgoing President Patrice Talon, Wadagni is promoting a vision built on continuity and progress, with power sector reforms playing a key role.

A major promise in his campaign is to achieve 100% electricity access across Benin by 2030. This goal focuses strongly on rural electrification, especially in the northern parts of the country where access to power remains limited. His plan includes expanding the national grid and deploying decentralized solutions to reach remote communities that are still off-grid.

Wadagni has also emphasized the need for energy sovereignty. Currently, Benin depends heavily on electricity imports from neighboring countries such as Nigeria and Ghana. To reduce this dependence, he is proposing to increase domestic power generation through a mix of thermal plants and solar energy projects. This approach aims to ensure a more stable and reliable electricity supply while also supporting the country’s long-term energy independence.

Another key part of his agenda is linking energy development to industrial growth. Wadagni believes that reliable and affordable electricity is essential for transforming Benin’s economy from agriculture-based to industry-driven. He has highlighted sectors such as cotton and cashew processing, where improved power supply could enable local value addition instead of exporting raw materials.

To fund these large-scale energy and infrastructure projects, Wadagni plans to rely on public-private partnerships. Drawing on his experience as Finance Minister, he intends to attract private investment into the power sector, including the modernization of the national utility, Société Béninoise d’Énergie Électrique (SBEE). This strategy is expected to reduce the financial burden on the government while accelerating project execution.

Wadagni is positioning his energy plans as a continuation of the reforms initiated under Talon’s Programme d’Action du Gouvernement, which has already delivered major infrastructure improvements, including upgrades at the Port of Cotonou and road networks.

As the election approaches, Wadagni is widely seen as the frontrunner due to Benin’s economic growth and fiscal stability during his tenure. However, opposition groups have raised concerns about the fairness of the electoral process, arguing that it has been structured in a way that favors the ruling coalition.