top of page

Thomas Boni Yayi

Thomas Boni Yayi is a Beninese banker and politician who served as President of Benin from 2006 to 2016. He was elected in March 2006 and re-elected in March 2011. Additionally, he chaired the African Union from January 2012 to January 2013.

ZODIAC ELEMENTS

Ascendant:

Sun-Sign:

Moon-Sign:

THOMAS BONI YAYI

Thomas Boni Yayi was born in Tchaourou, a town in northern Benin, when the country was still known as Dahomey under French colonial rule. He pursued his education in economics, earning a master's degree from the National University of Benin and then furthered his studies in Senegal at Cheikh Anta Diop University. His academic journey culminated in a doctorate in economics and politics from French institutions, including the University of Orléans and Paris Dauphine University.

Yayi began his career in banking, working at the Benin Commercial Bank and later at the Central Bank of West African States. He subsequently became an economic advisor to President Nicéphore Soglo before being appointed President of the West African Development Bank, a role he held until his entry into politics.

In 2006, Yayi ran as an independent candidate in Benin's presidential election, emphasizing governance reform, private sector growth, and women's education. He won decisively in a runoff, marking a significant shift in Beninese politics. During his presidency, he pursued economic reforms, though political opposition grew over time, and in 2010, an attempted impeachment related to a Ponzi scheme scandal threatened his administration. Despite this, Yayi won re-election in 2011 amid controversy, protests, and allegations of irregularities, which were dismissed by the Constitutional Court.

Yayi's presidency was marked by both progress and challenges. He survived an ambush on his convoy in 2007 and later, in 2012, narrowly escaped an alleged assassination plot involving his doctor and a former ally. His administration also claimed to have foiled a coup attempt in 2013, which intensified debates on his approach to governance and opposition suppression.

Constitutionally barred from seeking a third term, Yayi stepped down in 2016. He then served as an election observer for the African Union and has since remained involved in Beninese politics, even meeting with his successor, Patrice Talon, in 2021 to advocate for the release of political detainees.

Yayi’s personal life is deeply rooted in Benin's history. Though he was born into a Muslim family, he later became an Evangelical Protestant. He and his wife, Chantal, who comes from a prominent Beninese family, were awarded chieftaincy titles by the Nigerian king of Ile-Ife, recognizing their Yoruba heritage.


Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Boni_Yayi

GOVERNING TIME LINE

Thomas Boni Yayi assumed office as President of Benin on April 6, 2006, and was re-elected in 2011. He completed his second term and left office on April 6, 2016, adhering to the constitutional two-term limit, with power peacefully transferred to his successor, Patrice Talon.

bottom of page