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Bénin revises national accounts base, GDP 2023 jumps by 25.2% The National Institute of Statistics and Demography (INStaD) has completed the rebasing of Benin’s national accounts, adopting 2023 as the new reference year in place of the previous 2015 base. This statistical adjustment has revised the country’s 2023 GDP to 14,020.2 billion FCFA, marking a significant 25.2% increase—a reflection of improved tracking of recent economic transformations in Benin. Rebasing aligns with global standards This overhaul aligns Benin’s economic measurement with the 2008 United Nations System of National Accounts, which advocates regular updates to the base year for more accurate economic estimates. The INStaD noted that the conventional five-year revision cycle was delayed due to global economi...

A historic thaw is unfolding between Niamey and Cotonou as both nations take decisive steps toward reopening their shared border, shuttered since July 2023. Key breakthroughs emerge after decisive diplomatic talks After three years of strained relations that crippled cross-border trade and strained bilateral cooperation, Niger and Benin have reached a pivotal moment. A high-level delegation from Niamey, led by Interior Minister General Mohamed Toumba, engaged in intensive negotiations with Beninese officials over two days in Cotonou, culminating in significant progress on multiple fronts. The meetings produced agreements in principle on critical issues including: Enhanced security cooperation to address cross-border threats and terrorist activities Tax exemptions for transit goods...

In New Delhi on June 22, Morocco and India broadened their collaboration against terrorism by addressing shadowy financial networks, the misuse of technology, and the intertwined operations of transnational criminal groups and armed factions. The second joint working group meeting on counter-terrorism established a shared strategy built on intelligence sharing, institutional capacity-building, and alignment within key multilateral platforms. The session was co-chaired by Vinod Bahade, Joint Secretary for Counter-Terrorism at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Hicham Baali, Head of the National Brigade of Judicial Police (BNPJ) under the Directorate General of National Security (DGSN). Discussions focused on the threats facing both nations, as well as the global flow of extremist id...

EconomyNiger Benin and Niger edge closer to reopening shared border A joint expert committee’s findings spark cautious optimism over the lifting of a three-year border blockade between Benin and Niger. A joint technical committee tasked with assessing the reopening of the Benin-Niger border has finalized its recommendations, identifying critical areas of agreement on security protocols, transit regulations, and legal frameworks. However, Niger’s military-led government has set three non-negotiable conditions that must be met before political ratification can proceed, potentially delaying the process further. With the border remaining sealed since 2023, both nations are grappling with severe economic and humanitarian fallout. Could this thaw in relations mark the beginning of a new c...

Cameroon dismantles human trafficking ring luring youth with fake overseas jobsUnder the guise of network marketing firms, a criminal syndicate promised Cameroonian youths lucrative employment abroad. Their deceptive tactics ensnared desperate job seekers, but the operation was dismantled by national security forces.5 hours ago|1 min readAAASummarizeListen1CommentOperation exposes sophisticated human trafficking network targeting Cameroonian youthUnder the guise of legitimate network marketing firms, the syndicate promised lucrative overseas employment to vulnerable job seekersA coordinated crackdown in Cameroon has dismantled a clandestine human trafficking network that had ensnared dozens of young Cameroonians. Authorities arrested 13 individuals connected to the operation, which operate...

The Niger government confirmed today that an attempted assault on the Niamey International Airport was carried out by the Jnim militant group, marking one of the most brazen attacks on the country’s capital in recent years. Authorities have launched an immediate security review while emergency response teams assess potential damage and casualties. Jnim’s bold claim raises regional concerns In a statement attributed to the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (Jnim), the group asserted responsibility for the assault, describing it as retaliation against Niger’s participation in regional counterterrorism operations. The claim, if verified, underscores the escalating threat posed by armed factions along Africa’s Sahel belt, where militant groups have intensified operations in Niger despite g...

Bénin and Niger edge toward restoring cross-border tiesStaff reportMonday, June 22, 2026 at 1:07 PM UTCMake Yahoo your preferred source to see our articles on Google.A high-level technical committee from Bénin and Niger convened in Cotonou to advance negotiations on reopening their shared border. The meeting follows President Romuald Wadagni’s recent visit to Niamey on June 2, part of ongoing efforts to restore full diplomatic and economic relations between the two West African nations.Led by Niger’s State Minister of Security, General Mohamed Toumba, and Bénin’s Minister for African Integration, Adjadi Bakari, the closed-door discussions focused on security protocols, defense cooperation, legal frameworks, and trade facilitation. The session, which began on June 20, continues through Sund...

education newsMali strengthens ties at global higher education innovation forum in ChinaA landmark gathering of global education leaders, policy makers, and tech innovators focused on reshaping higher education for the future. UNESCOJune 22, 2026On June 6, 2026, Mali’s higher education sector took center stage at the Global Summit on the Future of Higher Education, held at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in Shenzhen, China. The Malian delegation was led by Dr. Mamadou Koumaré, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Social Sciences and Management of Bamako, who also serves as coordinator of the UNESCO International Centre for Higher Education Innovation (UNESCO-ICHEI) partnership with Malian institutions. The summit convened a diverse assembly of experts, publ...

Yaoundé, June 2026 – Cameroon is taking a bold step toward sustainable development by creating advanced energy accounts. This initiative, supported by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and its Central Africa sub-regional office alongside the African Centre for Statistics, is being implemented in collaboration with Cameroon’s National Institute of Statistics (INS) and the World Bank under the HISWACA project. A five-day workshop in Douala, from June 22 to 26, 2026, brings together key government institutions, energy sector agencies, and technical and financial partners. The goal? To map out the technical, methodological, and institutional requirements needed to develop energy accounts in line with the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA). This interna...

New Zealand on the brink of fifa world cup 2026 knockout stage after belgium showdown22 June 2026New Zealand's head coach Darren Bazeley remains optimistic despite a disappointing result in the recent group match, stating that victory against Belgium on Friday would secure their place in the World Cup 2026 Round of 16. "We know we have to beat Belgium now," Bazeley emphasized in a post-match press briefing.The All Whites' manager acknowledged the task ahead, pointing out that while Belgium presents a formidable challenge, New Zealand has shown resilience in past encounters, including draws against Iran and Egypt. "If we can replicate our best performances from those matches, we have a real chance. We are fully aware of what needs to be done—beat Belgium," he asserted.The loss to Egypt left...