Darboux was born on 10 May 1919 in Cotonou, then the economic capital of French Dahomey, to a noble family from Djougou.
He soon became an important merchant, and a power base rapidly grew around him, among the Dendi and Wangara peoples of the north.
[2] In the legislative election of 17 June 1951, when Dahomey was allowed an additional representative in the French National Assembly, Maga ran for that office.
The new minister owned the trade union Syndicat des Commerçants Africains du Dahomey, which he used to advance his political aspirations.
[2] On October 28, 1963, Chief of Staff of the 800-man Dahomeyan Army Christophe Soglo overthrew Maga and established his own regime.