West Africa

The regional economy is marked by active energy sector expansion and Nigerian infrastructure development. The Dangote refinery is boosting fuel exports, while Montage expands its West Africa presence with new exploration permits in Mauritania. In Nigeria, President Tinubu is inaugurating projects in Lagos, and the state is advancing local developments like the Obalende park project.

• 4Dangote refinery boosts fuel exports as Africa grapples with supply crunch
• 2Lagos gets public toilet mapping and consumer deal
• 2Tinubu inaugurates iconic projects in Lagos - The Nation Newspaper
• 1FG approves N7tn for Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, Carter bridge, others
• 1Meta avoids $32.8 million fine in Nigeria with secret settlement

Politics is centered on electoral outcomes and succession planning. Benin's finance minister, Romuald Wadagni, has won the presidential election in a landslide, while in Nigeria, multiple politicians have announced bids for Lagos governor and assembly seats. Internal dynamics within the ruling APC are visible, with a close ally of Tinubu revealing a possible successor to Governor Sanwo-Olu.

• 7Benin finance minister expected to coast to presidential election win
• 5Multiple politicians announce bids for Lagos governor and assembly seats
• 4Pope heads to Cameroon as separatists announce 3-day pause in fighting
• 4Wadagni wins Benin's presidency in landslide vote - China Daily - Global Edition
• 3Exclusive: Ghana rejects proposed US health aid deal, citing data concerns, source says

Security is characterized by persistent domestic violence and transnational incidents. In Nigeria, 21 people were killed in a clash with bandits and nearly 400 were sentenced for links to Boko Haram or Islamic State West Africa Province. Externally, Russia's shadow recruitment has reached Cameroon, with 16 nationals confirmed killed in Ukraine, and a Russian drone struck a Liberia-flagged grain ship in the Black Sea.

• 3Wanted activist arrested in South Africa over support for Benin coup plot
• 2Woman arrested in Ghana over attempt to traffic child to Kenya
• 1Nine African migrants expelled by US to Cameroon – Lawyer
• 1US Army major in Virginia is charged with plotting to assist separatist fighters in Cameroon
• 1NAFDAC seizes N350m fake alcohol, shuts illegal factories in Lagos

The dominant societal tension revolves around governance, corruption, and political representation, crystallized by the Pope's visit to Cameroon. Pope Leo demanded the 'chains of corruption' be broken and told Cameroon the 'rich and powerful' threaten peace. In Nigeria, a forum opposes a Lagos representative's fourth-term bid citing zoning and equity concerns, and Lagos rescued a malnourished child neglected over witchcraft claims.

• 9Pope demands the ‘chains of corruption’ be broken during visit to Cameroon
• 4Soaring rents and a four-hour commute: the misery of the Lagos housing crisis
• 3Pope Leo warns AI boom could fuel polarisation, violence in Cameroon address
• 2Teachers identify key signs of healthy school environment
• 2Romance scam victim died while trying to recover lost £1m in Ghana