Contested Affinities: France's Soft Power Strategy and the Shifting Reception in Postcolonial Benin Republic

This study investigates the evolving dynamics of France’s soft power in the Republic of Benin, exploring how postcolonial ties, cultural diplomacy, and shifting geopolitical allegiances have shaped France’s contemporary influence. Historically, Benin has maintained deep linguistic and cultural affinities with France, rooted in colonial legacies and sustained through institutions such as the Institut Français and Alliance Française, educational exchange programs, and French-led development cooperation. Drawing on Joseph Nye’s Soft Power Theory and Dependency Theory, this study provides a conceptual and empirical foundation for understanding both the mechanisms and the structural constraints of France’s soft power in Benin. Using a qualitative approach supported by secondary datasets, the research presents evidence of France’s continued relevance in Benin’s cultural and educational landscape. However, it also reveals growing ambivalence, particularly among youth and civil society actors, who increasingly perceive French presence as paternalistic and misaligned with the country’s aspirations for autonomy. The study documents a visible shift in allegiance toward emerging global actors such as China and Turkey, who offer educational scholarships, infrastructural investments, and media alternatives with fewer historical encumbrances. Anti-French protests and critical public discourse further underscore a waning monopoly of French soft power in the country. The study concludes that while France retains significant influence in Benin, this influence is increasingly contested. It recommends a recalibrated engagement strategy focused on mutual benefits, strengthened internal democratic institutions, and enhanced national capacity in culture, education, and diplomacy. This balanced approach avoids radical disengagement while safeguarding Benin’s sovereignty in a diversifying global order.