Benin's President Romuald Wadagni recently met with 77 mayors and 12 prefects to launch a reform on territorial development, presenting six development poles to drive poverty reduction from 2026 to 2033. The meeting was held at the Palais de la Marina in Cotonou on September 23, 2026. Wadagni's initiative aims to make territories a key driver of development.
In contrast, Togo's President Faure Gnassingbé has not met with mayors despite promises made in 2025, prior to July's municipal elections. The meeting was initially announced but postponed indefinitely. This has raised concerns about Faure's commitment to decentralization and engagement with local authorities.
Faure Gnassingbé has been in power for 21 years, while Wadagni's administration is relatively new, having taken office four months prior to the meeting. Wadagni's proactive approach to engaging with local authorities has been praised, with the President stating he will personally monitor the implementation of development actions.
Wadagni's development poles strategy includes Grand Nokoué, Sud-Est, Sud-Ouest, Centre, Nord-Est, and Nord-Ouest. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between local authorities and the central government to achieve concrete development results. The President also encouraged local leaders to take ownership of development initiatives in their areas.
The article by Honoré ADONTUI criticizes Faure Gnassingbé for not meeting with mayors, suggesting that this lack of engagement may hinder Togo's development. In contrast, Wadagni's approach has been seen as a positive step towards driving growth and poverty reduction in Benin.
The comparison between the two presidents' approaches to governance has sparked debate about the importance of engaging with local authorities. While Wadagni's administration is taking a proactive approach to decentralization, Faure Gnassingbé's government has been criticized for its lack of engagement with mayors and local leaders.
The article concludes that Faure Gnassingbé's failure to meet with mayors may have negative consequences for Togo's development, while Wadagni's approach may serve as a model for effective governance. The two presidents' approaches to decentralization and local engagement have raised questions about the future of development in their respective countries.
Key points
- Faure Gnassingbé has not met with mayors despite promises made in 2025.
- Benin's President Romuald Wadagni recently met with local authorities to launch a reform on territorial development.
- The two presidents' approaches to decentralization and local engagement have raised questions about the future of development in their respective countries.
