Benin–Sahel Diplomacy: Newly elected Beninese President Romuald Wadagni kicked off a diplomatic reset with visits to Niger and Burkina Faso, signaling a possible thaw with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) after years of tension tied to ECOWAS sanctions and border restrictions. West Africa Security & Trade: Wadagni also met Côte d’Ivoire’s Alassane Ouattara, with both leaders pledging stronger coordination on security and fast-tracking cooperation on trade, infrastructure, and energy. Regional Power Access: The AfDB launched a public Mission 300 Progress Tracker (MapAfrica) to monitor electricity expansion, highlighting active projects in Benin and other priority countries and tracking millions already connected. Food & Agribusiness Deal: TGI Group and Wilmar agreed a 50:50 joint venture covering Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, targeting a $12bn market across palm oil, edible oils, rice, and food manufacturing/distribution. Governance & Revenue Pressure: Moody’s warned that Sub-Saharan Africa’s informal economy is still massive—median 88% of employment and ~36% of official GDP—reducing fiscal capacity and weakening tax collection efforts. Cross-border Crime Crackdown: Nigeria’s NSCDC says it dismantled an illegal detention camp in Lagos’s Badagry area, rescuing 24 victims and arresting four suspects linked to a cross-border syndicate involving Togo, Benin, and Ghana. Justice System Trust: Afrobarometer reported low confidence in formal courts across Africa, with many citizens relying on police, local courts, or traditional leaders to settle disputes.