Patrice Talon
Profile
Patrice Talon is a Beninese politician and businessman who served as the eighth President of Benin from 2016 to 2026. Often referred to as the "King of Cotton" due to his extensive career in the agricultural sector, he rose to prominence as a major financial backer of former President Thomas Boni Yayi before transitioning into politics. During his presidency, Talon implemented significant economic reforms and infrastructure projects, though his tenure was marked by controversy regarding democratic backsliding, the imprisonment of opposition figures, and constitutional changes. He stepped down in 2026 following the completion of his two-term mandate, having survived multiple alleged coup attempts during his time in office.
