Sahel Security Watch: A new Soufan Center brief says Islamic State’s Sahel Province is maturing fast—moving from scattered attacks to stronger coordination and territorial control—while rivalry with al-Qaeda’s JNIM reshapes the region’s jihadist map. AfCFTA Reality Check: A commentary argues AfCFTA can’t deliver without freer movement of people, warning that Africa is “turning on itself” even as leaders tout trade gains. Public Health Milestone: WHO validated Kenya as the 10th African country to eliminate human African trypanosomiasis (“sleeping sickness”), a win for neglected tropical disease control. Macroeconomic Headwind: The World Bank cut its Sub-Saharan Africa growth forecast for 2026, citing energy shocks and weaker external demand. Benin City Security & Business Climate: Edo State police and security agencies intensified action after a daylight kidnapping at the Vegetable Market on Airport Road, while NSCDC arrested a diesel thief and courts delivered convictions—signals that insecurity and infrastructure vandalism remain key risks for local commerce. Benin Biosafety Focus: A Benin study found weak biosafety/biosecurity compliance across 96 biomedical and veterinary labs, urging stronger funding and capacity-building. Regional Energy Trade: West Africa Gas Summit in Accra highlighted the West African Gas Pipeline as a proof of concept for turning gas into jobs and growth, with calls for bankable projects and payment security. Illegal Gambling Pressure: Nigeria’s National Lottery Authority warned illegal gambling is draining revenues, naming Ghana and Benin among heavily affected markets.