During a meeting with Emmanuel Macron on 5 October 2026, Benin's minister delegate in charge of external resource mobilisation, Romuald Wadagni, signed financing agreements totalling nearly €100 million with the French Development Agency (AFD) and Bpifrance.
What Was Signed
Two agreements were concluded with the AFD for a combined 61.9 billion CFA francs, or €94.4 million. A mandate letter was also signed with Bpifrance, covering 3.54 billion CFA francs (approximately €5.39 million). The financing targets three priority sectors: access to electricity, agricultural production and modernisation of forensic expertise.
Benin, a Privileged Bpifrance Partner
Cooperation with Bpifrance is not new: Benin is the first country in the world to have concluded a framework agreement with Bpifrance Financement, establishing a direct financing channel for Beninese companies and public-private partnership projects. These agreements deepen that relationship within a long-term development financing logic.
A Signal in France-Africa Relations
Wadagni's Paris visit comes as France-Africa partnerships are being reconfigured. While several Sahel countries break with Paris, Benin maintains active economic cooperation, driven by a structural reform agenda and political stability recognised by international lenders.
Why It Matters
For economic actors across West Africa, these deals illustrate Benin's capacity to mobilise external resources for concrete projects — energy, agriculture, justice. Bpifrance's involvement opens potential opportunities for technological and commercial partnerships for French and Réunionese companies active on the continent.