Benin’s €500m financing push: Benin secured €500 million (about 328 billion FCFA) from international banks, backed by an AfDB partial credit guarantee and second-loss insurance from the Islamic Development Bank, to fund education, health, water, infrastructure, renewables, and youth jobs under the PAG. Energy market reform in Benin: Gas distributors say households will soon be able to exchange empty LPG bottles for full ones across brands (same size), easing refill bottlenecks; operators also flagged cheaper “entry kits” and a crackdown on surcharges. Regional power payment pressure: Nigeria’s MO reports that Benin, Togo and Niger left $10.17m unpaid on Q2 2026 power invoices, highlighting ongoing cross-border electricity settlement gaps. Justice and security in Edo (business risk): Benin Branch of Nigeria’s NBA urged wider adoption of Edo’s speedy-trial model after the Edo Special Criminal Court’s first kidnapping verdict, while the court sentenced four to death. East Africa refinery momentum with legal risk: Dangote and Kenya’s Ruto broke ground on a $16bn, 700,000 bpd Lamu refinery, but construction faces disruption after a land-status quo order tied to a resident petition. Trade/port efficiency debate: Nigeria’s customs agents and licensed customs brokers renewed calls for a single efficient deep seaport strategy to cut inefficiencies and protect transit cargo flows.