Thomas Boni Yayi (born January 1, 1952) is an African politician and banker who served as President of Benin from 2006 to 2016. During the 2006 election, there had been doubts about whether the incumbent, the country's former dictator Mathieu Kérékou, would allow a peaceful transition of power. The election, considered to be the first completely free election in Benin, saw Boni win 35.8% of the vote. He was popular with voters, with his policies including promises to improve governance, stimulate the private sector, improve educational opportunities for women and modernize the agricultural sector. In the final part of the election, he won over 70% of the vote.
During the election, an alleged assassination attempt took place against Boni Yayi. According to the president's camp, his convoy was ambushed and fired on by armed attackers and several people were wounded. This account is unproven as nobody came forward to support it.
One of Boni Yayi's greatest achievements was his success in improving relations between his country and neighbouring Nigeria. By maintaining a good personal relationship with each new Nigerian president, and by supporting Nigerian interests during his time as chairman of the African Union, Boni Yayi reduced tensions between the two countries to their barest minimum.
A 2012 report by the US Department of State commended his government for continuing the country's transition to democracy and applauded "the legislative work of recent years to pass and enforce laws regarding domestic violence against women, official corruption, torture, and other crimes", as well as the establishment of the human rights Ombudsman and the National Council for the Promotion of Gender Equity and Equality.