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Pascal Koupaki
Pascal Koupaki 2012 (cropped).jpg
Prime Minister of Benin
In office
28 May 2011 – 11 August 2013
President Thomas Boni Yayi
Preceded by Adrien Houngbédji (1998)
Succeeded by Lionel Zinsou (2015)
Personal details
Born (1951-05-18) May 18, 1951 (age 74)
Cotonou, Dahomey
(now Benin)
Political party Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin

Pascal Irénée Koupaki was born on May 18, 1951. He is a politician from Benin, a country in West Africa. He served as the Prime Minister of Benin from May 2011 to August 2013.

Before becoming Prime Minister, Koupaki worked for important financial organizations. These included the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He also held a key role as Director of the Cabinet for the Prime Minister from 1996 to 1998.

Later, under President Yayi Boni, Pascal Koupaki was the Minister of Finance from 2006 to 2007. After that, he became the Minister of State for Public Policy from 2007 to 2011. Since 2016, under President Patrice Talon, he has been the Secretary-General of the Presidency.

Early Career and Government Roles

Pascal Koupaki started his career at the BCEAO in Dakar in September 1979. He held several important positions there until December 1990. After that, he worked as the Deputy Director of the Cabinet for Alassane Ouattara, who was the Prime Minister of Côte d'Ivoire.

In September 1994, Koupaki joined the IMF. Then, from April 1996 to May 1998, he served as the Director of the Cabinet for the Prime Minister of Benin, Adrien Houngbedji.

Return to Finance and Prime Minister

After Prime Minister Houngbedji resigned in May 1998, Koupaki returned to the BCEAO. He became the Director of the Research Department. He also served as a Special Adviser to the Governor.

When Yayi Boni became President of Benin, he chose Koupaki to be the Minister of Finance in April 2006. A year later, in June 2007, Koupaki was given a new role. He became the Minister of State for Public Policy. He held this position until May 2011.

On May 28, 2011, Pascal Koupaki was appointed Prime Minister. People noticed that he was already a very important figure in the government. His new role as Prime Minister simply made his position official.

End of Prime Minister Role

Pascal Koupaki was seen as a possible future leader for Benin. However, in 2012, there were rumors that he was no longer as favored by the President.

On August 9, 2013, President Boni dismissed Koupaki and the entire government. When a new government was formed on August 11, the position of Prime Minister was not included. This meant that President Boni planned to manage the government's work himself.

Presidential Election and New Role

Pascal Koupaki ran for president in the March 2016 presidential election. He did not win in the first round of voting. However, he decided to support Patrice Talon for the second round.

Patrice Talon won the election. When he took office on April 6, 2016, he appointed Pascal Koupaki to a new important role. Koupaki became the Minister of State and Secretary-General of the Presidency.

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