Benin–Ghana trade & industry links: Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama says the government has started processes to revive Juapong’s Volta Star Textiles, including appointing a transactions advisor, selecting an investor, and preparing a Benin cotton supply MoU—aimed at restoring jobs and the textile value chain. Regional infrastructure for commerce: Nigeria’s Works Minister Dave Umahi says President Tinubu approved reconstruction of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway with reinforced concrete pavement and extended the Fourth Legacy Highway by 400km to Taraba (to about 1,100km), plus other bridge and East–West Road works—moves expected to boost connectivity and trade. Cross-border animal health (food security): Nigeria’s federal government says its PPR (goat plague) control plan needs a comprehensive overhaul, with intensified surveillance, vaccination and ECOWAS coordination to hit eradication targets by 2030—critical given shared livestock corridors with Benin and others. AI policy coordination: COMESA launched national consultations to build a harmonized regional AI strategy and regulatory framework across 21 member states, starting with Kenya and Zambia—pushing rules that can help AI adoption and digital inclusion. Security & private sector readiness: Nigeria’s NSCDC trained private guard company personnel in Edo on cybersecurity and self-defence, reflecting rising demand for better protection of banks, schools, hospitals and critical sites. Wildlife conservation signal from Benin: A report from Pendjari National Park highlights West African leopards’ fragile recovery—about 354 remain across the region, with Benin’s protected areas among key strongholds. Sports business: NPFL club Bendel Insurance strengthened its squad with two-year signings of Nwokeyi Chukwuemeka Godstime from Enyimba and Sabiu Ibrahim from Niger Tornadoes ahead of the 2026/27 season.