The Toastmasters movement in Benin has reached a new milestone with the official launch of its Academy. The ceremony, held on September 19, 2026, at Azalaï Hôtel, brought together members, club leaders, and guests to share a common goal of enhancing communication and leadership skills. The Academy aims to support the growth of the movement, which currently has over 500 members across 27 active clubs.
According to Abraham Rey Aholou, head of the Academy, the new structure is designed to be a hub for transformation, focusing on four key areas: improving club session quality, strengthening the Toastmaster brand, increasing visibility, and encouraging members to achieve the prestigious "Distinguished Toastmaster" level. This level is considered one of the organization's excellence pathways.
The Academy's first priority is to enhance the quality of learning by harmonizing programs and practices across clubs, ensuring that members receive comparable training regardless of their club affiliation. Aholou emphasizes that every member should have access to the same level of competence and quality. The second axis focuses on reinforcing the Toastmaster label, enabling members to embody the organization's values in their professional and social environments.
The third pillar of the Academy's strategy is to increase visibility, as the movement remains unknown to a significant portion of the public despite being active in Benin for over 20 years. The Academy plans to leverage digital tools and traditional communication methods to reach more people interested in public speaking and leadership.
Marie-Reine Nicole Gbaguidi, director of Division A of Toastmasters Benin, views the Academy as a vital platform for collective growth, reflection, and learning. She highlights that Toastmasters' mission extends beyond eloquence, also focusing on leadership development. In the coming months, the leadership team plans to visit various clubs to identify needs and improve activity quality.
The Academy's launch also extends an invitation to individuals seeking to improve their public speaking, leadership, and professional impact. Aholou emphasizes that collective growth and progress are essential, stating, "C'est ensemble que nous allons grandir, c'est ensemble que nous allons apprendre et c'est ensemble que nous allons changer les choses" (It's together that we will grow, it's together that we will learn, and it's together that we will change things).
As the Academy begins its journey, it aims to make a meaningful impact on its members and the broader community. With a clear vision and strategy in place, the Toastmasters Benin Academy is poised to become a driving force for personal and professional growth in the region.
Key points
- The Toastmasters Benin Academy has launched with a focus on improving communication and leadership skills among its members.
- The Academy aims to support the growth of the Toastmasters movement in Benin, which currently has over 500 members across 27 active clubs.
- The Academy's strategy is built around four key areas: improving club session quality, strengthening the Toastmaster brand, increasing visibility, and promoting the "Distinguished Toastmaster" level.
