- Benin’s President Romuald Wadagni made his first official visit to France, meeting President Emmanuel Macron to discuss bilateral relations.
- France is reshaping its Africa strategy, moving from large military deployments to focused security, economic, and business partnerships.
- French military withdrawals from West and Central Africa have been driven by political shifts, anti-French sentiment, and new priorities.
- France has committed €23 billion in investments in Africa, emphasizing innovation, technology, and youth partnerships, particularly with countries like Benin.
Wadagni was received by Macron at the Élysée Palace on October 5 during a dinner of the Africa-France Impact Coalition (AFIC), bringing together African and French business leaders
Macron described France and Benin as having a relationship of “friendship, trust, and ambition” and “a relationship between equals.”He said both countries wanted to create more opportunities for young people and strengthen partnerships for the future
Wadagni was elected Benin’s president on April 12, 2026, winning 94.27% of the vote against opposition candidate Paul Hounkpè, according to final results confirmed by the Constitutional Court
He was sworn in on May 24, succeeding Patrice Talon, who had served as president since 2016 and stepped down after two terms
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The meeting comes as France attempts to reshape its relationship with Africa following a series of military withdrawals and a deterioration in ties with several former partners
France has withdrawn or reduced its military presence across parts of West and Central Africa in recent years
French forces left Mali in 2022 after relations with the military government deteriorated, while Burkina Faso and Niger subsequently expelled French forces. France also withdrew from Chad, and began handing military facilities in Senegal back to the government in 2025
The withdrawals reflected a combination of political changes, growing anti-French sentiment and governments seeking greater control over their security partnerships
Paris has consequently been moving away from the large-scale counterterrorism deployments associated with Operation Barkhane toward smaller, more flexible security cooperation and a greater emphasis on investment and commercial partnerships
Macron’s Africa Forward strategy illustrates that shift. At the May 2026 summit in Kenya, France announced €23 billion in investments in Africa, including €14 billion from French companies, with the initiative focused on co-investment, innovation, technology, youth and private-sector partnerships
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Benin offers France a different but equally strategic opportunity
The country sits on the Gulf of Guinea, sharing an 809-kilometre border with Nigeria and borders with Niger and Burkina Faso to the north and northwest
That geography places Benin directly beside the three countries forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES): Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger
While Benin is not an AES member and remains part of ECOWAS, its position gives it strategic importance as a southern neighbour of the bloc and a link between the Sahel and the Gulf of Guinea
France has already demonstrated that importance. During the December 2025 attempted coup in Benin, France provided surveillance, observation and logistical support, while Nigerian forces also assisted the Beninese government
Paris now appears to be pursuing a broader relationship with Cotonou, combining security cooperation with investment, education, innovation and business ties. France says its bilateral relationship with Benin has been gaining momentum since 2021, with cooperation spanning security, training, culture, education and infrastructure
Wadagni’s first France visit therefore comes at a significant moment: Paris is reducing its traditional military footprint in parts of Africa while seeking new economic and strategic partnerships with countries such as Nigeria and Benin