Bénin and European Union forge a refreshed partnership

On Wednesday, 24 June, Bénin’s President Romuald Wadagni travelled to Brussels, Belgium, for a working visit at the headquarters of European Union institutions. The goal was to lay the groundwork for a modernised partnership between his country and the EU, one designed to tackle new development challenges.

He was received successively by the EU’s top leaders: European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen.

The meeting with António Costa covered the main pillars of bilateral cooperation, with both sides aiming to give fresh momentum to a relationship built on trust, stability and shared objectives, according to the Bénin presidency.

Discussions between Wadagni and Von Der Leyen focused on ways to deepen the EU-Bénin partnership. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating cooperation in several strategic areas.

They identified three major priorities. The first concerns economic transformation and innovation, with emphasis on industrialisation, job creation, development of the Port of Cotonou’s economic corridors, local agricultural processing, and vocational training for young people.

The second priority is territorial development and security in northern Bénin, which includes increased support for local communities to combat violent extremism through improved basic infrastructure and access to economic opportunities.

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

President Von Der Leyen highlighted that “Bénin is a key partner of the European Union in West Africa. This is a relationship grounded in mutual trust and a shared desire to improve quality of life for everyone.”

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