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Benin's President Thomas
Boni Yayi speaks to journalists after a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris,
France, June 9, 2015. Reuters/Charles Platiau
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Benin's President Thomas Boni Yayi named Franco-Beninois
economist and former investment banker Lionel Zinsou as prime minister of a new
government announced on Thursday, in a bid to boost the West African nation's
economic prospects.
Reuters reports Zinsou was a managing
partner at French bank Rothschild & Cie before leaving to join Paris-based
private equity firm PAI Partners in 2008. He has also served as an adviser to
Boni Yayi.
"(Zinsou), an
important figure in the business world, will bring Benin closer to its partners
and will offer Benin major economic opportunities," read a statement
broadcast on state-owned television.
He will head a 28-member
government, which includes 17 new ministers. Most key positions remained
unchanged from the previous cabinet however, with the exception of the minister
of the interior where senior regional official Placide Azandé replaces
businessman Simplice Dossou Codjo.
Benin is forecast to post
annual economic growth of 5 percent in coming years, driven by cotton exports
and Cotonou's port, which feeds neighbouring Nigeria. But analysts say graft
and poor infrastructure hamper Benin's development.
Boni
Yayi's ruling alliance lost seats in an April parliamentary election, weakening
his ability to push through constitutional reforms opposition figures claimed
were part of an attempt to defy term limits and seek another mandate next year.
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