The Ministry of Economy and Finance in Cotonou hosted the 2026 edition of the annual political review of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) reforms, policies, programs, and projects. Following a rigorous assessment of 145 regulatory texts, the country achieved a 73% implementation rate—exceeding the satisfactory threshold ofContinue Reading
The seventh session of the Benin-Morocco Joint Cooperation Commission, held in Cotonou, marked a historic turning point in bilateral relations between the two nations. Beyond the signing of fourteen strategic agreements, a groundbreaking announcement emerged: the Moroccan government is actively considering lifting visa requirements for ordinary Beninese passport holders. ThisContinue Reading
Hidden in the revised 2025 finance bill’s revenue table lies a staggering adjustment—one that dwarfs all others in scale. The projected corporate tax from the mining sector has plummeted by 97%, collapsing from 53.2 billion CFA francs to just 1.47 billion. No other taxpayer group faces such a drastic revision.Continue Reading
Orange Bank Africa, a fully digital bank headquartered in Abidjan, has forged two landmark partnerships this week with Côte d’Ivoire’s Société de Garantie des Crédits aux Petites et Moyennes Entreprises (SGPME), an institution established by the Ivorian government to bolster financing for small and medium-sized enterprises. These agreements will unlockContinue Reading
In a significant development in Cameroon’s capital, Yaoundé, authorities have apprehended a man who has long identified himself as the eldest son of President Paul Biya. The arrest of Georges-Gilbert Baongla, who has publicly positioned himself as the president’s heir for years, follows an extensive manhunt initiated for alleged crimesContinue Reading
In the vast expanse of northern Mali, where the echoes of conflict rarely cease, a new wave of violence has left the international community stunned. Reports emerging from the region paint a grim picture: soldiers from the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) captured during ambushes have allegedly been subjected to tortureContinue Reading
Three years after General Abdourahamane Tiani led a military takeover in Niger, the country remains locked in a deepening crisis that has eroded fundamental freedoms and democratic institutions. A damning new assessment from Human Rights Watch underscores how the ruling Conseil National pour la Sauvegarde de la Patrie (CNSP) hasContinue Reading
Top stories Senegal news Touba Descendants of Serigne Touba declare Ousmane Sonko ‘persona non grata’ in Touba A collective representing the descendants of Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba—founder of the Mouride brotherhood—has escalated its confrontation with opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. Following a defamation complaint filed in response to his remarks about allegedContinue Reading
Niger’s human rights crisis deepens under military rule As Niger approaches the third anniversary of the July 26, 2023 coup, a leading international watchdog has issued a stark warning about the escalating erosion of human rights in the country. According to Human Rights Watch, the military-led administration under General AbdourahamaneContinue Reading
The recent deployment of Russian troops to Togo, following the inauguration of a Russian military base on July 12, 2026, has intensified discussions about the true intentions behind Moscow’s expanding influence in West Africa. According to official statements, these soldiers are positioned to support Togo’s counterterrorism efforts and enhance theContinue Reading
Throughout history, military leaders who ascend to power often encounter a persistent pitfall: the conflation of rhetorical power with ground-level reality. The silence of a population—often born from fear or uncertainty—is frequently misinterpreted as unwavering support. In Burkina Faso, this dynamic appears to be unfolding before our eyes. Behind theContinue Reading
In a dramatic political twist, former Bénin president Thomas Boni Yayi has announced his decision to join the newly established Senate, set to be inaugurated in Porto-Novo on July 30, 2026. This move comes despite his vocal opposition to the Senate’s creation during the 2025 constitutional reforms. The former headContinue Reading