List of Presidents of Benin: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Benin from 1960 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Benin, former leaders, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Benin: Romuald Wadagni (in office since 2026).

Presidents of Benin in order, with years in office

Hubert Maga

Served: 1960–1963, 1970–1972

First president of Dahomey from 1960 until he was deposed in October 1963; later chaired the Presidential Council from 1970 to 1972.

Christophe Soglo

Served: 1963–1964, 1965–1967

Colonel who overthrew Maga on 28 October 1963 and led the provisional government until January 1964; returned as president in December 1965 and was deposed in December 1967.

Sourou-Migan Apithy

Served: 1964–1965

President from 25 January 1964 until his resignation on 27 November 1965.

Justin Ahomadégbé-Tomêtin

Served: 1965 (acting), 1972

Acted as president for two days in November 1965, and chaired the Presidential Council from May 1972 until he was deposed in the coup of 26 October 1972.

Tahirou Congacou

Served: 1965 (acting)

President of the National Assembly who acted as president for 23 days, from 29 November to 22 December 1965.

Jean-Baptiste Hachème

Served: 1967

Chairman of the Revolutionary Committee on 19–20 December 1967.

Maurice Kouandété

Served: 1967, 1969

Coup leader who held power for one day in December 1967 and for three days in December 1969.

Alphonse Alley

Served: 1967–1968

Lieutenant colonel named head of state on 21 December 1967, until Zinsou took office in July 1968.

Émile Derlin Zinsou

Served: 1968–1969

Former foreign minister installed by the military committee, inaugurated on 17 July 1968 and deposed on 10 December 1969.

Paul-Émile de Souza

Served: 1969–1970

Military officer who chaired the ruling Directory for 145 days.

Mathieu Kérékou

Served: 1972–1991, 1996–2006

Seized power in 1972 and led a Marxist-Leninist state; lost the 1991 election, then returned by winning in 1996 and 2001.

Nicéphore Soglo

Served: 1991–1996

Prime minister who won the first multiparty election in 1991; lost to Kérékou in 1996.

Thomas Boni Yayi

Served: 2006–2016

Served two terms from April 2006 to April 2016.

Patrice Talon

Served: 2016–2026

Businessman who won in 2016, was re-elected in 2021 and stepped down on 24 May 2026.

Romuald Wadagni

Served: 2026–present

Finance minister from 2016 who won the 12 April 2026 election with over 94% of the vote and was sworn in on 24 May 2026.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Benin

Who is the current president of Benin?

The current president of Benin is Romuald Wadagni, in office since 2026.

Who were the previous presidents of Benin?

The presidents and heads of state of Benin listed on this page, in order, are: Hubert Maga, Christophe Soglo, Sourou-Migan Apithy, Justin Ahomadégbé-Tomêtin, Tahirou Congacou, Jean-Baptiste Hachème, Maurice Kouandété, Alphonse Alley, Émile Derlin Zinsou, Paul-Émile de Souza, Mathieu Kérékou, Nicéphore Soglo, Thomas Boni Yayi, Patrice Talon, Romuald Wadagni.

Who was the first president of Benin?

Hubert Maga was the first president of Benin, in office 1960–1963, 1970–1972.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of Benin and President of Dahomey; University of Central Arkansas Political Instability Task Force summaries; Reuters, AFP and AP reports on the 24 May 2026 swearing-in (checked Nov 2026). Complete list of heads of state since 1960, with acting and military leaders labelled.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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