Benin’s Monetary Integrity: Benin lawmakers have passed tougher reforms to curb fake banknotes, raising penalties for refusing to accept valid CFA notes/coins and setting prison terms of 10–20 years for counterfeiting or falsification, aiming to protect daily transactions and confidence in the currency. New Government Priorities: Benin’s newly formed cabinet has outlined a seven-year action focus, including modernising public payroll systems, strengthening pension coordination, and boosting agriculture with water-control measures and AI decision support for farmers. Regional Trade Push: Benin’s President Romuald Wadagni has signalled a renewed ECOWAS drive, meeting the ECOWAS Commission to prioritise political stability, security cooperation, and stronger trade linkages. Cross-Border Rules in Focus: Togo hosted an ECOWAS dialogue workshop on free movement and cross-border trade, tackling the gap between regional protocols and on-the-ground realities like red tape, harassment, and extortion at borders. Tourism & Travel Facilitation: Ghana launched a digital e-Visa platform and introduced zero visa fees for African passport holders, a move framed as a boost for intra-African tourism and trade under AfCFTA. Infrastructure & Commerce: Residents and traders around Benin City’s Ramat Park axis praised the near-complete Ramat Park flyover for easing congestion and improving road safety. Security & Social Strain: Edo State reported a fatal attack on a decorator during a burial decoration, while separate coverage highlights ongoing insecurity and economic hardship across the region. Business & Investment Signals: Accor is partnering with Shoreline to build a Nigeria hotel platform, targeting up to 10 branded hotels across eight cities by 2030 and creating jobs via a planned hospitality academy.