Romuald Wadagni is set to win Benin’s presidential election by a wide margin, according to provisional results giving him more than 94% of the vote.

The figures, based on the counting of the vast majority of ballots, highlight the dominance of the ruling camp’s candidate. His main challenger, Paul Hounkpè, conceded defeat shortly after early trends were announced.

The vote, held on April 12, took place peacefully, authorities said, with turnout estimated at around 58%. It marks a key moment in the country’s political transition, as outgoing president Patrice Talon did not seek re-election after serving two terms.

If confirmed by the Constitutional Court, Wadagni would become one of the youngest heads of state in the region and is expected to continue the economic policies pursued in recent years.

However, the scale of his projected victory may raise questions among opposition groups and civil society, amid concerns over a shrinking political space.

Final results are expected to be validated in the coming days.