1. 🚨 More than 265kg of cannabis seized in Sèmè-Podji
Security authorities in Benin have intercepted 265.25kg of Indian hemp (cannabis) in the Sèmè-Okoun area of Sèmè-Podji, in an operation linked to suspected movement of narcotics through the area.
According to the report published today, the police received intelligence about suspicious activity involving the transportation of cannabis by sea around Sèmè-Okoun. Officers from the Tohouè police station subsequently strengthened surveillance in the area.
During the night between Friday, August 28 and Saturday, August 29, officers reportedly spotted a Toyota Highlander being used in connection with the loading of the suspected illegal substance.
When the security forces arrived, the people involved in the operation—including the driver and others participating in the loading—fled the scene. The vehicle and the consignment were abandoned.
A subsequent weighing of the seized material put the total quantity at 265kg and 25g.
The seizure is another indication of the continuing efforts by Beninese security authorities to disrupt the trafficking and distribution of illicit drugs.
2. 🌿 One-hectare cannabis plantation discovered in Collines
Another major security story published today concerns the discovery of a one-hectare cannabis plantation in Atta village, Okpara district, in Benin’s Collines Department.
The plantation was discovered on Thursday, August 27, following information received by security officials concerning suspected drug production activities in the area.
Police searched the agricultural property and reportedly found cannabis being cultivated across approximately one hectare. Some of the plants were still growing, while part of the harvest had already been processed.
Authorities estimated the cannabis still standing in the plantation at approximately 200kg, while another 15kg had already been harvested and dried.
This brought the total quantity discovered at the site to approximately 215kg.
A man in his 30s was arrested at the location. During questioning, he reportedly told investigators that the farm belonged to his uncle. He was subsequently placed in custody while investigations continued.
Why the story matters
The discovery comes amid several recent anti-drug operations in Benin. The two cannabis cases reported today alone involve hundreds of kilograms of suspected cannabis, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing law-enforcement agencies.
3. ⚽ Dynamique FC reaches historic UFOA-B semi-finals
Beninese football club Dynamique FC has secured a place in the semi-finals of the 2026 UFOA-B tournament, despite suffering defeats in its first two group matches.
The qualification became possible after Burkina Faso’s USFA defeated ASKO of Togo 5–0 in their final Group A encounter at the Stade du 4-Août in Ouagadougou.
Before the match, Dynamique FC and ASKO were level on one point each, meaning goal difference would determine which team took second place.
The heavy 5–0 defeat suffered by ASKO left the Togolese club with a goal difference of -5, while Dynamique FC finished with -3.
As a result, the Beninese champions secured second position and progressed to the last four.
The achievement is particularly significant because it represents a first-ever semi-final qualification for Dynamique FC in the regional competition.
The club’s next opponent and the date of the semi-final are expected to be determined after the remaining group matches.
4. 🏆 USB crowned Borgou-Alibori Maracana champions
The Union Sportive Baboni (USB) has won the 2026 Borgou-Alibori departmental Maracana championship.
The competition was held on Saturday, August 29, at the Centre Don Bosco in Parakou, with USB defeating Entente MC 3–2 in the Junior-Senior final.
Five teams participated in the Junior-Senior category:
- ACMP
- Delta Force
- Forces Unies
- Entente
- USB
At the end of the league phase, USB and Entente MC finished at the top with nine points each, but USB had the better goal difference.
The final eventually produced a closely contested 3–2 victory for USB.
The result means USB succeeds ACMP, which won the competition in 2025. ACMP finished third this year.
The USB captain, Éric Quam, attributed the victory to hard work and said the team would now represent Borgou and Alibori at the national phase.
The departmental Maracana league president, Abdel Aziz Issa, also praised the level of competition but noted the absence of teams from Alibori. He said efforts would be made to encourage more clubs from the area to participate in future editions.
5. 🎾 Benin trains new generation of tennis coaches
The development of tennis in Benin is receiving attention as the country’s tennis federation continues a Level 1 training programme for coaches.
The training programme, reported today by La Nation, opened on August 25 at the INJEPS in Porto-Novo and is scheduled to run through September 2.
The programme is being organised with the support of the Ministry of Sports and Civic Engagement and in collaboration with the Benin Tennis Federation.
The objective is to strengthen the technical capacity of coaches and ensure that young tennis players receive more structured training based on modern requirements.
The training is being led by Illou Lonfo, an expert designated by the International Tennis Federation. He is also an experienced coach, former Davis Cup captain of Côte d’Ivoire and national technical director.
Officials say stronger coaching structures are essential to identifying and developing young talents who can eventually represent Benin at African and international competitions.
6. 🛼 National Roller Championships underway in Cotonou and Porto-Novo
Benin’s roller sports community is also in the spotlight as the 12th National Roller Sports Championships take place from August 29 to September 6, 2026.
The championship is being staged across Cotonou and Porto-Novo, bringing together athletes competing in several disciplines.
The competition began at the Akpakpa Skate Park in Cotonou with skateboarding and roller freestyle events.
The programme then moves to Porto-Novo for Inline Freestyle competitions on September 3 and 4, before the championships conclude with Speed Skating on September 5 and 6.
The events include several age categories, from younger athletes to elite competitors.
Speed skating will feature races including the 100-metre sprint, one-lap sprint, 10km points race, 15km elimination race and marathon, while Inline Freestyle will include disciplines such as Slalom Battle, Speed Slalom, Classic Slalom, Slide and Free Jump.
The federation says the championships are not only about determining national champions but also about identifying promising young athletes for the future.
7. 🏀 Eight finals scheduled in the Vacances RBBC tournament
The Vacances RBBC 2026 tournament is also attracting attention as young athletes compete for titles across several age categories.
According to today’s report, the tournament reached its concluding stage at the Hall des Arts, Loisirs et Sports, with eight finals scheduled.
The programme included boys’ and girls’ categories ranging from U11 to U19.
Among the scheduled fixtures were:
- U15 boys: Académie H vs AS Cotonou
- U13 boys: Espace Bénin Sport vs Académie H
- U15 girls: AS Cotonou vs Renaissance BBC
- U19 girls: Energie BBC vs Wizards
- U17 boys: AS Cotonou vs Héritiers 2A2B
- U17 girls: AS Cotonou vs Energie BBC
- U11 mixed: Meridian Academy vs Renaissance BBC
The tournament has combined competition with youth development and training, providing young players with an opportunity to gain experience in organised basketball.
8. 🇧🇯 “Made in Benin” gains visibility at NOL MARKET
Today’s business and entrepreneurship coverage also highlights the growing promotion of locally produced goods.
A report on NOL MARKET in Cotonou focuses on entrepreneur Nadia Ologoudou and the store’s role in showcasing locally produced goods.
The report presents NOL MARKET as a platform for local products and examines some of the challenges facing women entrepreneurs in Benin, including competition, management and the need to maintain product quality.
Ologoudou emphasised the importance of innovation, quality, regulatory compliance and attractive packaging when selecting products for the market.
She also encouraged entrepreneurs operating informally to formalise their businesses, arguing that legal registration can help them access larger corporate customers and expand their operations.
The bigger picture
The story reflects a broader push to promote local production and consumption in Benin, while giving small businesses and women entrepreneurs greater visibility.
