To His Excellency President Romuald Wadagni on Your Inauguration as President of the People’s Republic of Benin

On behalf of the leadership, members, partners, and the wider agribusiness community of Ghana and across Africa, the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana extends its warmest congratulations to His Excellency President Romuald Wadagni on your historic inauguration as President of the Republic of Benin. Today marks far more than the swearing-in of a Head of State.

Today marks the rise of a new generation of African leadership. Your inauguration is a defining democratic moment not only for Benin, but for the African continent. At just 49 years of age, you assume office as one of Africa’s youngest democratically elected Presidents, carrying with you not only an overwhelming electoral mandate of more than 94% of the vote 1 2 , but also the hopes, aspirations, and confidence of millions of citizens who see in your leadership a renewed promise for prosperity, reform, and national transformation.

Anthony Kofituo Morrison

Your remarkable journey from global finance and executive leadership to national public service and now the Presidency stands as a powerful testament to discipline, excellence, vision, and service. Born on June 20, 1976, in Lokossa, Benin 3, your distinguished international professional career, including your leadership at Deloitte France as a partner and CEO 4, and your decade-long tenure as Benin’s Minister of Economy and Finance 5, have earned you a reputation as one of Africa’s most respected economic reformers. Under your stewardship, Benin’s economy saw significant growth, with the annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rising from 1.8% in 2015 to approximately 8%, and the national deficit reduced by a third to 3% of GDP 6.

Africa celebrates not only your victory, but your story. A story of intellect, service, and generational leadership. A story that tells millions of young Africans that leadership is not reserved for age alone but for vision, competence, courage, and commitment to country. Your inauguration sends a clear and powerful message across our continent: Africa’s future is now. The youth of Africa are watching with pride, young entrepreneurs with hope, young professionals with belief, and young leaders with conviction that African governance can be innovative, globally competitive, economically disciplined, and deeply people centered.

Your pledge that national growth must be felt in the everyday lives of citizens resonates strongly across Africa. Growth must create jobs, reduce poverty, improve access to services, uplift families, and build dignity. That vision speaks directly to the aspirations of our generation. As President, you inherit both an opportunity and a responsibility to lead Benin into a new chapter of inclusive growth, democratic stability, industrial transformation, regional integration, and opportunity for all. Your seven-year term 7 provides a robust mandate to implement these transformative policies. We are particularly inspired by your demonstrated commitment to:

• Economic transformation and fiscal stewardship
• Private sector growth and entrepreneurship
• Regional trade and competitiveness
• Youth employment and innovation
• Infrastructure and industrial development
• Peace, democracy, and national unity

These priorities are essential not only to Benin’s future, but to the future of West Africa and the African continent. Benin has long been a symbol of democratic resilience, culture, enterprise, and regional connectivity. Under your leadership, we are confident that the nation will continue to strengthen its position as a strategic gateway for trade, agriculture, investment, and innovation in West Africa.

At the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana, we also recognise the tremendous opportunity for deeper collaboration between Ghana and Benin particularly in agribusiness, agroindustrialization, food systems transformation, agricultural trade, logistics, youth enterprise development, and regional value chains under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). We look forward to stronger partnerships between our nations and institutions in advancing food security, industrial growth, and economic prosperity for our people.

Your Excellency,
As you take the oath of office and begin this seven-year mandate, may your presidency be guided by wisdom, courage, humility, and bold vision. May your leadership bring peace to communities, your policies unlock opportunity for youth, your reforms deepen prosperity, and your legacy strengthen democracy. And may your presidency help shape a stronger, more united, and economically transformed Africa.

Congratulations once again on this historic inauguration.
Africa stands with Benin.
West Africa stands with Benin.
The agribusiness community of Ghana stands with Benin.
And the young people of Africa stand inspired by your leadership.
Long live the Republic of Benin. Long live African democracy.
Long live a new generation of African leadership.
Yours faithfully,

Anthony Kofituo Morrison
Chief Executive Officer Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana
Executive Vice President Global Agribusiness Trade and Investment Chamber
Advisory Board Member Ministry of Food and Agriculture
Advisory Board Member Ministry of Trade Agribusiness and Industry