Benin launches comprehensive health, education and agriculture social package under President Wadagni

The Benin government, led by President Romuald Wadagni, approved a wide‑ranging social programme covering health, education and agriculture. In health, all public hospitals and health centres will provide immediate, free treatment for vital emergencies such as heart attacks, severe postpartum haemorrhage or traumatic injury, with a 1 billion FCFA allocation for essential medicines and a further 10 billion FCFA to equip facilities with water and electricity. The health minister said, “On soigne d’abord, on discute du recouvrement après” – patients are treated first and payment arrangements follow.

In education, tuition will be free for all girls in secondary public schools from the 2026‑2027 school year, and 20 billion FCFA will be spent to improve water and electricity in schools. Agricultural support includes special premiums for cotton, cashew, soy and rice producers to raise farm incomes.

Separately, analysts note that Benin is reassessing its military partnerships to deepen ties with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS/AES). Discussions centre on whether to align with the United States, China, Russia, France or even revive links with North Korea as a way to diversify defence cooperation amid regional security challenges.