Benin President Romuald Wadagni arrived in Paris on October 4, 2026, for a 48-hour diplomatic visit. The first day of his trip concluded with a meeting with his French counterpart at the Elysée Palace on October 5. During this meeting, Wadagni and the French President discussed various cooperation areas between the two nations. Details of the discussions were not disclosed, but several agreements were set to be signed on the second day of the visit.
The second day of Wadagni's visit focused on signing key agreements with French financial institutions. Minister-delegate Hugues Oscar Lokossou, responsible for mobilizing external resources, was set to sign three major texts. These agreements aimed to boost Benin's development in crucial sectors. The most notable agreement was the PEDER+ program, which focuses on extending and developing Benin's electrical networks.
The PEDER+ program is a 173-million-euro project, which includes a 50-million-euro loan from the French Development Agency (AFD). The project also involves the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Investment Bank, and the AFD. This significant investment aims to improve Benin's electricity infrastructure, enhancing the quality and reliability of electricity supply across the country.
In addition to the PEDER+ program, another agreement was signed for the agricultural sector, specifically targeting the fishery industry and productive agricultural investments. This convention is valued at 15 million euros, with 10 million euros allocated to a new project for developing the fishery industry. The signing of this agreement also involved the AFD's director-general.
A third agreement, in the form of a letter of intent, was signed with Bpifrance and the Bordeaux medico-legal hematology laboratory. This agreement will see the construction of an excellence laboratory in Benin, accompanied by a transfer of competencies. The signing ceremony included Nicolas Dufourcq, director-general of Bpifrance, and Antoine Doutremepuich.
These agreements underscore the strengthening of cooperation between Benin and France, particularly in areas critical to Benin's development. The projects are expected to have a significant impact on the country's infrastructure, agricultural productivity, and healthcare capabilities. President Wadagni's visit highlighted the importance of international partnerships in achieving Benin's development goals.
The visit and the agreements signed reflect the ongoing efforts of Benin's government to secure international support for its development initiatives. By collaborating with French institutions like the AFD and Bpifrance, Benin aims to leverage external resources to accelerate its growth and address key challenges in the electricity, agriculture, and health sectors.
Key points
- - Benin and France signed agreements worth millions of euros to support Benin's development in electricity, agriculture, and health. - The PEDER+ program, valued at 173 million euros, aims to improve Benin's electrical networks. - The agreements were signed by Benin's Minister-delegate Hugues Oscar Lokossou and French officials, including Nicolas Dufourcq and Antoine Doutremepuich.
