Government directory
Government of Benin
2 national office holders, each linked to its source.
Benin, officially the Republic of Benin, has its capital at Porto-Novo (constitutional capital); Cotonou (seat of government) and a population of 14,814,460 (World Bank, 2025). The CIA World Factbook describes its system of government as a presidential republic. President of the Republic, Head of Government, Head of State, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Patrice Talon (in office since 6 Apr 2016) is head of state. The legislature is the National Assembly (Assemblée nationale), a unicameral body with 109 seats. The most recent national election recorded by IFES ElectionGuide was held on 12 Apr 2026. Elections are run by the Commission Électorale Nationale Autonome (CENA). The directory below lists 25 cabinet and ministerial posts with their current holders and sources.
PT
Head of state · President of the Republic, Head of Government, Head of State, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces
Patrice Talon
Since 6 Apr 2016 · Source: cia.gov
PT
Head of government · President of the Republic, Head of Government, Head of State, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces
Patrice Talon
Source: cia.gov
Legislature
National Assembly (Assemblée nationale)
Unicameral. Source: CIA World Factbook
| Chamber | Seats | Last election |
|---|---|---|
| National Assembly (Assemblée nationale) | 109 (all directly elected) | 8 Jan 2023 |
Cabinet
| Portfolio | Holder | Appointed |
|---|---|---|
| President of the Republic, head of government (President de la Republique, chef de l'executif) | Romuald Wadagni | 24 May 2026 |
| Keeper of the Seals, Minister of Justice and Legislation (Garde des Sceaux, ministre de la Justice et de la Legislation) | Yvon Detchenou | 24 May 2026 |
| Minister of the Economy and Finance, in charge of Cooperation (Ministre de l'Economie et des Finances, charge de la cooperation) | Aristide Medenou | 24 May 2026 |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs (Ministre des Affaires etrangeres) | Corinne Amori Brunet | 24 May 2026 |
| Deputy Minister to the President of the Republic, in charge of the Interior and Public Security (Ministre delegue aupres du President de la Republique, charge de l'Interieur et de la Securite publique) | Djibril Mama Cisse Moussa | 24 May 2026 |
| Deputy Minister to the President of the Republic, in charge of National Defence (Ministre delegue aupres du President de la Republique, charge de la Defense nationale) | Gildas Agonkan | 24 May 2026 |
| Minister of Tourism and Foreign Trade, in charge of Industry and Private Investment Promotion (Ministre du Tourisme et du Commerce exterieur, en charge de l'Industrie et de la promotion de l'investissement prive) | Olushegun Adjadi Bakari | 24 May 2026 |
| Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (Ministre de l'Agriculture, de l'Elevage et de la Peche) | Adi Yeton Bloukouon Goubalan | 24 May 2026 |
| Minister of Health (Ministre de la Sante) | Benjamin Hounkpatin | 24 May 2026 |
| Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in charge of Technical Training (Ministre de l'Enseignement superieur et de la Recherche scientifique, en charge de la Formation technique) | Sedami Medegan Fagla | 24 May 2026 |
| Minister of Secondary Education (Ministre de l'Enseignement secondaire) | Clement Kouchade | 24 May 2026 |
| Minister of Nursery and Primary Education (Ministre des Enseignements maternel et primaire) | Armand Kouyema Nata | 24 May 2026 |
| Minister of Family and Social Action (Ministre de la Famille et de l'Action sociale) | Veronique Tognifode | 24 May 2026 |
| Minister of Decentralisation and Local Governance (Ministre de la Decentralisation et de la Gouvernance locale) | Janvier Yahouedeou | 24 May 2026 |
| Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage (Ministre de la Culture, des Arts et du Patrimoine) | Yassine Latoundji | 24 May 2026 |
| Minister of Domestic Trade, in charge of the Formalisation of the Economy (Ministre du Commerce interieur, en charge de la formalisation de l'economie) | Shadiya Alimatou Assouma | 24 May 2026 |
| Minister of Digital Transformation and Innovation, in charge of the National AI Strategy (Ministre de la Transformation digitale et de l'Innovation, en charge de la Strategie nationale d'intelligence artificielle) | Mahouna Akplogan | 24 May 2026 |
| Minister of Energy, Water and Mines (Ministre de l'Energie, de l'Eau et des Mines) | Edouard Daoume | 24 May 2026 |
| Minister of Living Environment and Transport, in charge of Sustainable Development (Ministre du Cadre de vie et des Transports, charge du Developpement durable) | Georges Alle | 24 May 2026 |
| Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Employment Promotion, in charge of Vocational Training (Ministre des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises et de la Promotion de l'Emploi, en charge de la Formation professionnelle) | Hawaou Bako | 24 May 2026 |
| Minister of Communication, in charge of Media (Ministre de la Communication, en charge des Medias) | Aurelie Adam Soule Zoumarou | 24 May 2026 |
| Minister of Sports and Civic Engagement (Ministre des Sports et de l'Engagement civique) | Benoit Dato | 24 May 2026 |
| Deputy Minister to the Minister of the Economy and Finance, in charge of Finance and Microfinance (Ministre delegue aupres du ministre de l'Economie et des Finances, charge des Finances et de la Microfinance) | Nicolas Yenoussi | 24 May 2026 |
| Deputy Minister to the Minister of the Economy and Finance, in charge of the Budget and the Civil Service (Ministre delegue aupres du ministre de l'Economie et des Finances, charge du Budget et de la Fonction publique) | Rodrigue Chaou | 24 May 2026 |
| Deputy Minister to the Minister of the Economy and Finance, in charge of Mobilising External Resources and Debt Management (Ministre delegue aupres du ministre de l'Economie et des Finances, charge de la Mobilisation des ressources exterieures et de la Gestion de la dette) | Hugues-Oscar Lokossou | 24 May 2026 |
Sources: gouv.bj (retrieved 10 Oct 2026).
List as of 10 Oct 2026.
Benin election dates 2026, 2027 and 2028
Next national election: Due by 2031, presidential election.
| Date | Election | Status | Turnout | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Jan 2026 | Parliamentary election | Held | - | Republican Bloc |
| 12 Apr 2026 | Presidential election | Held | - | Romuald Wadagni |
| Due by 2031 | Presidential election | Due | - | - |
Sources: Commission Électorale Nationale Autonome (CENA) (retrieved 9 Oct 2026).