Bénin and EU forge renewed partnership focused on growth and security

President Romuald Wadagni of Bénin travelled to Brussels, Belgium, on Wednesday, 24 June, for a working visit to the headquarters of the European Union institutions. The purpose of the trip was to lay the groundwork for a modernised partnership between Bénin and the EU, designed to address contemporary development challenges.

During his visit, Wadagni held successive meetings with key EU leaders, including European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The session with António Costa focused on the main pillars of bilateral cooperation, with both sides aiming to inject fresh momentum into a relationship built on trust, stability, and shared objectives, according to a statement from the Bénin presidency.

Discussions between Wadagni and von der Leyen centred on prospects for deepening the EU-Bénin partnership. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating cooperation across several strategic sectors.

They identified three overarching priorities. The first concerns economic transformation and innovation, with an emphasis on industrialisation, job creation, development of economic corridors around the Port of Cotonou, local agricultural processing, and youth vocational training.

Territorial development and security in northern Bénin form the second priority, which foresees increased support for local communities to combat violent extremism through strengthened basic infrastructure and improved access to economic opportunities.

The third priority, sustainable finance, is linked to the Global Green Bond Initiative, a mechanism designed to facilitate funding for sustainable infrastructure in renewable energy, transport, and agriculture.

President von der Leyen remarked: “Bénin is a key partner of the European Union in West Africa. This is a relationship built on mutual trust and a shared desire to improve the quality of life for everyone.”

For the Bénin presidency, the reinforced partnership also aims to position Bénin as a regional pole for growth, connectivity, and investment in West Africa.