Niger–Benin Border Talks: After Benin’s president visited Niamey, both sides held follow-up talks in Cotonou on reopening the border that has been closed since 2023, but Niger is pushing for binding security guarantees—an inviolable non-use agreement, transparency on any foreign military assets near the border, and a permanent intelligence-sharing mechanism. Edo Security Crackdown: Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo escalated rhetoric and action against kidnapping and cultism, requesting special courts for speedy trials and signaling public executions for convicted offenders, as lawmakers like Sen. Joseph Ikpea backed the plan and praised recent rescues and arrests. Kidnapping Case Details: Police in Benin City said a suspect in the June 14 Vegetable Market abduction confessed the gang rented firearms from a community security chief (“Liberty”), with authorities recovering cash and weapons and arresting additional suspects. Benin Cotton Logistics: A road project linking Djougou to Banikoara is easing the long bottleneck moving “white gold” cotton to the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone near Cotonou, with EU and China-backed financing via the AfDB supporting the push to process more cotton locally. Digital ID for Payments: A World Bank policy note argues that countries—including Benin—should expand digital wallets and verifiable credentials as part of user-centric digital identity, moving away from siloed systems. Waste Digitalization: The World Bank also highlighted how municipalities can use digital tools to cut waste-management costs, improve service reliability, and strengthen recycling and circular-economy tracking. Diplomacy/Trade: Nigeria’s ex-INEC chair Mahmood Yakubu assumed duty as ambassador to Qatar, with the welcome including Benin among African missions—underscoring growing regional diplomatic and trade links.