Olushegun Adjadi Bakari has been appointed Minister of Tourism and Foreign Trade, in charge of Industry and the Promotion of Private Investment in Benin. The appointment was announcedon 24 May 2026 as part of the country’s new cabinet formed through decree no. 2026-314 by President Romuald Wadagni.
Bakari now leads a ministry that brings tourism, foreign trade, industry, and private investment promotion under one office, bringing related sectors together in one administrative structure.
Bakari brings more than 18 years of experience in finance and investment, with a strong focus on international banking and African infrastructure finance. His work has centred on structuring investment deals and supporting development financing across African economies.
Since June 2023, he has served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Benin, a position he held for nearly three years before this new appointment, where he was responsible for managing international relations and diplomatic engagement.
Benin’s tourism sector is built around cultural heritage and nature based attractions, including the Royal Palaces of Abomey, Pendjari National Park, and historical sites in Ouidah. These locations form the core of the country’s visitor offering.
The sector continues to face limits linked to infrastructure development, access to investment, and international visibility, which have slowed growth in visitor numbers and private sector expansion.
Bakari’s background in infrastructure finance and investment structuring supports his experience in mobilizing capital for large scale projects. At Société Générale, he served as Director of Structured Export Finance for Africa, where he worked on financing infrastructure linked to transport, logistics, and development systems that support economic activity, including tourism.
Bringing tourism, trade, industry, and private investment promotion under one ministry creates closer coordination between tourism development and investment activity, as well as industrial and trade planning.
This structure links tourism growth more directly with private sector financing and commercial activity within the same administrative space.
The outcome will depend on how coordination across these areas translates into infrastructure delivery, investment inflows, and improved performance across tourism destinations in Benin.
