AfCFTA Trade Push: AfCFTA’s Wamkele Mene says intra-African trade is on track for $250bn in 2026 (up from $220bn in 2025), urging countries to build stronger domestic markets as global shocks bite. Regional Energy & Trade Finance: EBRD is granting BOA-BENIN a $20m trade line to back Benin’s import-export activity and support the private sector. Gas Integration Pressure: West Africa’s gas summit in Accra renewed calls for deeper gas market integration, even as the West Africa Gas Pipeline faces unpaid invoice issues. Digital Security for Business: ECOWAS cybersecurity hackathon in Accra runs June 8–11 with Benin among 12 teams, and a local firm (00SEC) designed the challenge scenarios—aimed at protecting governments, banks and infrastructure. Illegal Gambling Costs: Ghana’s lottery regulator warns illegal gambling is draining national revenues, citing losses of over GH¢1bn annually and naming Benin among affected markets. Edo Security & Social Impact: Edo State is training 500 forest guards (with plans to reach 1,000) and has dismissed claims of unpaid teachers while pledging environmental protection collaboration. Trafficking Crackdown: In Edo, a couple was arrested after an attempted sale of a two-year-old toddler for ₦3m, thwarted by community security operatives. Telecom Growth: Nigeria’s NCC reports thousands of new network sites and expanding fibre to ease congestion and improve service quality. AI in the Browser: Google expands Ask Gemini in Chrome to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, including Benin, as AI search features roll out across more African locales.