Benin’s finance minister has won a landslide victory in a presidential election, according to provisional results, keeping the coastal west African country on course after a decade of robust economic growth.

Wadagni embodies continuity with the era of outgoing president Patrice Talon, which has seen the country enjoy rapid economic growth, an expansion in tourism and the completion of numerous infrastructure projects.

He nonetheless faces major challenges, including a huge wealth gap and insecurity in the north due to attacks blamed on jihadist groups.

The 49-year-old technocrat was the overwhelming favourite to succeed Talon, who handpicked him, and was backed by the two parties in the governing coalition.

He faced a single, minor opponent, Paul Hounkpe, who ran a low-key campaign and conceded defeat while ballots were still being counted.

“To… Romuald Wadagni, I offer my republican congratulations. Democracy requires mutual respect and the ability to rise above partisan divides,” Hounkpe said in his concession statement.

Benin’s independent electoral commission, CENA, announced he had secured more than 94 percent of the vote in provisional results overnight from Monday to Tuesday, based on 90 percent of votes counted.

The constitutional court is expected to announce the final results from Sunday’s election later in the week.

CENA and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said the election had been peaceful and had run smoothly.