IMF Growth Outlook: IMF projections point to broad African growth momentum in 2026, with rates expected to run roughly 5.9% to 9.2%—but Nigeria is projected at 4.1%, keeping it outside the continent’s fastest-growing group. Electric Mobility Investment: Investors are stepping up in Africa’s electric motorcycle and broader e-mobility push, with Spiro announcing a major $215m equity-backed expansion plan. Benin–Sahel Diplomacy: Benin’s new president, Romuald Wadagni, has started reshaping regional ties with a first trip to Niger and Burkina Faso amid AES/ECOWAS tensions, signaling a “reset” approach. Energy Access Tracking: The AfDB launched a public Mission 300 progress tracker (MapAfrica) to monitor electricity access projects across Africa, including Benin and the CLSG interconnection. Food & Agri Deal: Wilmar and TGI Group are forming a 50:50 joint venture spanning Nigeria and Benin, targeting a $12bn agri-food market. Tourism & Heritage: China is helping transform Ouidah’s former slave port into a waterfront tourism complex, linking new development to the historic “Slave Route.” Governance & Informality: Moody’s warns informality remains massive in Sub-Saharan Africa—hurting tax capacity and policy effectiveness—while a few countries, including Benin, are cited as improving.