PORTO-NOVO, May 25 – Benin’s President Romuald Wadagni has appointed Aristide Medenou, a former International Monetary Fund economist, as the country’s new minister of economy, finance and cooperation.
According to a statement aired on state television, Medenou previously worked at Benin’s finance ministry from 2014 to 2022 before joining the IMF. He later returned in 2023 as director-general of the economy, where he was involved in managing the country’s economic policies.
Wadagni also reappointed Hugues Oscar Lokoussou as head of the debt management office, keeping him in charge of how the country handles borrowing and repayments. The appointment keeps a familiar face in charge of one of the government’s most important roles, especially as Benin continues to manage public spending and external funding.
In other appointments, Édouard Dahome was named minister of energy, water and mines, while Corinne Amori Brunet became minister of foreign affairs.
The changes come as Benin continues to focus on stable economic management and steady policy direction, especially at a time when many countries in the region are tightening financial controls and watching public debt closely.