Benin’s President Romuald Wadagni is expected in Paris on Sunday for his first working visit to France since taking office, with talks planned with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Wadagni is due to arrive in the French capital on the evening of October 4 for a two-day visit, according to reports citing Jeune Afrique. The trip, which had been under discussion for several months, is expected to conclude on Monday.
A meeting with Macron is expected to be the centrepiece of the visit, with economic cooperation, regional security and diplomatic ties between Cotonou and Paris likely to feature prominently in discussions.
Wadagni was sworn in on May 24 after succeeding Patrice Talon and has since undertaken a series of regional diplomatic visits, including trips to Niger, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and other African states. His visit to France marks a further expansion of his foreign-policy outreach beyond the continent.
Relations between France and Benin have remained close, particularly in the security sphere as Benin confronts growing militant activity along its northern borders.
France provided intelligence, surveillance and logistical assistance to Beninese authorities during the failed December 2025 coup attempt against then-president Talon. Nigeria also deployed military support as part of a broader regional response coordinated with the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS.
The two countries also maintain extensive economic and cultural ties, while security cooperation has taken on greater importance as armed groups operating across the Sahel increasingly threaten coastal West African states.
Wadagni’s Paris visit is therefore expected to offer the two leaders an opportunity to discuss not only bilateral relations but also the worsening security situation across West Africa and Benin’s efforts to attract foreign investment.
