Foreign Investment Pitch: Benin’s foreign minister told South Korea that Benin is positioning itself as a stable gateway for West Africa, stressing political stability, investor-friendly policies and regional connectivity as the core value proposition. Infrastructure & China Link: PowerChina says it completed in under three months the rehabilitation of Cotonou’s Congress Palace esplanade, with local firms involved, ahead of President Romuald Wadagni’s May 24 inauguration. Regional Trade & Mobility: ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance urged motorists to always collect their certificates, saying the scheme—created in Cotonou in 1982—helps protect road users and supports cross-border claims. Financial Crime Crackdown: Benin lawmakers unanimously adopted tougher reforms against fake banknotes, raising penalties for refusing valid CFA notes/coins and for counterfeiting and circulation. Digital Waste Management: The IFC highlights how digital tools can cut waste costs and improve recycling, pointing to GPS tracking, digital billing and smarter collection systems. Regional Security/Drugs (Edo): Edo’s security network arrested two suspected drug dealers in Benin City, with hard drugs seized and suspects to be handed to NDLEA. Business Climate (EV): African EV firm Spiro raised $215m to expand battery-swapping and electric mobility infrastructure across African markets.