Benin ambassador to Paris: Jean-Michel Abimbola

DiplomacyPublished on October 07, 20263 min read

The post of Benin ambassador to Paris is no longer vacant. On Wednesday 7 October 2026, the Council of Ministers appointed Mr Babalola Jean-Michel Hervé Abimbola Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Benin to France. The former Culture Minister will also head the mission responsible for Belgium.

An appointment awaited since May

The Paris embassy had been without an ambassador for more than four months. On 24 May 2026, Ms Corinne Amori Brunet, who held the post, became Minister of Foreign Affairs in the first Wadagni government. Since 2 June, Mr Angelo Dan, deputy head of mission, has been acting as chargé d'affaires a.i.

The appointment comes just two days after Romuald Wadagni's visit to the Élysée on 5 October. Choosing a leading political figure underlines the importance Cotonou attaches to its relationship with France.

The same Council also made several appointments at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Jocelyn Flenon becomes its chief of staff.

Who is Jean-Michel Abimbola?

Portrait of Jean-Michel Abimbola, new Benin ambassador to Paris — Jean-Michel Abimbola in 2021. Photo: Aimeabibis, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Born on 16 June 1966 in Porto-Novo, Jean-Michel Abimbola first built his career in Parliament. As a member of the 8th legislature, he coordinated the parliamentary majority bloc.

Period	Position
8th legislature	Member of Parliament, coordinator of the parliamentary majority bloc
September 2019 to February 2026	Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts
January 2026	Elected MP for the 22nd constituency (Pobè-Kétou), for the Union progressiste le Renouveau
7 October 2026	Appointed Benin's ambassador to France

He took charge of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts on 6 September 2019. He stayed for more than six years, under both of President Patrice Talon's terms. Elected in the legislative elections of 11 January 2026, he then left the government: his departure was recorded by the Council of Ministers on 18 February 2026.

A record shaped by culture and heritage

As Culture Minister, Jean-Michel Abimbola led several flagship projects. He himself cites the Vodun Days, the return of cultural property, the restoration of the royal palaces, the new museums and the "Destination Bénin" programme.

The restitution file already ties him closely to France. It was under his ministry that the 26 royal treasures of Abomey came back from Paris in 2021. Likewise, the Vodun Days in Ouidah have become an international event: our article on Vodun Days 2027 covers the next edition.

Next steps before he takes office

An appointed ambassador does not take up the post on the same day. The diplomatic procedure follows several steps.

Agrément: France must first formally accept the new ambassador.
Arrival in Paris: he hands a copy of his credentials to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Credentials: he then presents them to the President of the French Republic at an official ceremony.
Other accreditations: finally, he must be accredited to the other States covered by Paris, including Belgium.

Until he presents his credentials, Mr Angelo Dan remains acting head of mission. No ceremony date has been announced yet.

What this means for Beninese nationals in Belgium

Since the closure of the Brussels embassy at the end of 2020, Belgium has come under the Embassy of Benin in France. In due course, the new ambassador will therefore represent Benin to King Philippe. His predecessor presented her credentials to the King on 19 June 2024.

For your procedures, however, nothing changes. The honorary consulate in Liège continues to receive you by appointment for your passport, consular card or document legalisation.

For a matter that falls to the embassy itself, write to it from the Embassy of Benin in France page. Your request is reviewed and then forwarded, and you follow the reply in your personal space.