Benin President Romuald Wadagni is in Rwanda for a two-day visit, with talks with President Paul Kagame focusing on strengthening existing cooperation and opening new areas of partnership between the two countries.
Wadagni’s visit is his first to Rwanda since taking office in May, although he has previously engaged with Kagame as a senior Beninese government official.
The two leaders directed officials from both sides to strengthen existing areas of cooperation and develop new ones, with a focus on turning joint programmes into concrete activities, according to a statement from Rwanda’s Office of the President.
Rwanda and Benin cooperate in areas including trade and investment, technology, agriculture, urban planning, public service reform and security.
The relationship was further formalised during Kagame’s visit to Benin in 2023, when the two countries signed 10 cooperation agreements, including an agreement aimed at avoiding double taxation.
Wadagni, 50, was elected president on April 12, 2026, winning more than 94% of the vote. He was sworn in on May 24, succeeding Patrice Talon after his two constitutional terms in office.
Before becoming president, Wadagni served for 10 years as Benin’s minister of economy and finance.
His previous government role included direct engagement with Rwanda. In September 2023, he visited Kigali as a special envoy of Talon and delivered a message from the then-Beninese president to Kagame.
During his latest visit, Kagame also hosted Wadagni at a meal following their talks.
The two leaders tasked their officials with strengthening existing cooperation, developing new areas of partnership and turning joint programmes into concrete activities.Benin President Romuald Wadagni is in Rwanda for a two-day visit, with talks with President Paul Kagame focusing on strengthening existing cooperation and opening new areas of partnership between the two countries.
Wadagni’s visit is his first to Rwanda since taking office in May, although he has previously engaged with Kagame as a senior Beninese government official.
The two leaders directed officials from both sides to strengthen existing areas of cooperation and develop new ones, with a focus on turning joint programmes into concrete activities, according to a statement from Rwanda’s Office of the President.
Rwanda and Benin cooperate in areas including trade and investment, technology, agriculture, urban planning, public service reform and security.
The relationship was further formalised during Kagame’s visit to Benin in 2023, when the two countries signed 10 cooperation agreements, including an agreement aimed at avoiding double taxation.
Wadagni, 50, was elected president on April 12, 2026, winning more than 94% of the vote. He was sworn in on May 24, succeeding Patrice Talon after his two constitutional terms in office.
Before becoming president, Wadagni served for 10 years as Benin’s minister of economy and finance.
His previous government role included direct engagement with Rwanda. In September 2023, he visited Kigali as a special envoy of Talon and delivered a message from the then-Beninese president to Kagame.
During his latest visit, Kagame also hosted Wadagni at a meal following their talks.
The two leaders tasked their officials with strengthening existing cooperation, developing new areas of partnership and turning joint programmes into concrete activities.
