Porto-Novo in Benin hosted a rally of significant political importance. Romuald Wadagni interwove personal accounts with a vision for the nation. The mass turnout lent weight to his commitments. The political capital is emerging as the driving force behind a nationwide strategy.
In Porto-Novo, Benin, on Friday, April 3, 2026, Romuald Wadagni transformed his rally into a powerful moment of mobilization and vision. To an enthusiastic crowd, the presidential majority’s candidate reiterated his commitment to Porto-Novo, Benin’s political and cultural capital, promising to make it a model of integrated development. This meeting concluded his successful southern tour, intended to nationalize his program’s momentum.
My approach involves observation, deep understanding, and then communication. This project, fundamentally, is about acceleration: 80% is the execution and enhancement of our existing plans and initiatives. The remaining 20% is dedicated to genuine innovation.
Romuald Wadagni, Presidential candidate
The candidate’s project for Porto-Novo is built upon three core tenets: infrastructure modernization, enhanced social cohesion, and accelerated social progress. Key infrastructure plans include the complete rehabilitation of the municipal stadium to meet international standards, with its new name to be chosen by popular vote. Additionally, an « esplanade of the three religions » will be created as a physical representation of intentional dialogue between the city’s spiritual heritage and cultural identity. The social aspect of the candidacy is focused on a determined effort to alleviate mass poverty, broaden technological access for young people, provide stronger support for the elderly population, and bring about concrete improvements to the existing healthcare system.
We have the ambition to make the city of three names the city of three religions. Not far from here, we will have the esplanade of the three religions. The Botton Museum is being completed. The cathedral will be fully renovated. We will build, because the mosque there, which will be renovated, is too small. We will construct a new mosque in its place. For its first major milestone, Porto-Novo will have an esplanade of the three religions.
Romuald Wadagni, Presidential candidate
The candidate emphasizes openness, relying on intergenerational dialogue and regional ties, especially with Nigeria, to boost economic and cultural exchanges. This aims to project Porto-Novo as an influential regional capital. The « Further Together 2026–2033 » program details specific actions: building a girls’ secondary school, deploying a digital campus, continuing sanitation and road surfacing, and launching major projects like the Grand Nokoué water-bus network, the Mask Festival, and enhancing the International Vodun Museum. The goal is to establish Porto-Novo as a leading cultural and tourist hub.
