🚨 1. POLICE, NAVY INTERCEPT BOAT CARRYING 40 SACKS OF SOYA TOWARD NIGER
Security forces in northern Benin have intercepted a boat carrying 40 sacks of soya, in what authorities describe as an attempted clandestine export of agricultural products toward Niger.
The operation was carried out jointly by officers of the Republican Police and personnel of the Beninese Armed Forces Navy around the riverine village of Kotchi near Malanville.
According to a report published on September 29, the operation took place in the early hours of Monday, September 28, following intelligence concerning suspicious movements around the border area.
The sacks of soya were reportedly concealed beneath other goods in the boat. Security personnel intercepted the vessel before the consignment could continue toward Niger.
The seizure highlights the continued monitoring of Benin’s waterways and border corridors, particularly routes suspected of being used to move agricultural commodities outside official channels.
The authorities’ action also comes amid heightened attention to cross-border trade and the movement of goods between Benin and neighbouring countries.
⚡ 2. SIX SUSPECTS ARRESTED OVER STOLEN ELECTRICITY METERS IN HÊVIÉ
Police authorities in Hêvié, Abomey-Calavi, have arrested six people following an investigation into the alleged theft of electricity meters belonging to the Société Béninoise d’Énergie Électrique (SBEE).
The investigation reportedly began after the disappearance of an electricity meter.
Police initially arrested three suspects and recovered the meter that had allegedly been reported stolen. Further investigation reportedly led officers to three additional people suspected of being connected to the case.
A search subsequently uncovered five more electricity meters, which were connected to parallel electrical installations.
The SBEE agency at Cococodji was called in to examine the recovered equipment. According to the report, the technical assessment established that the five additional meters had also previously been declared stolen.
The six suspects remain in police custody while the investigation and legal procedures continue.
💰 3. CDC BENIN REPORTS CFA21.9 BILLION IN NET BANKING INCOME
The Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations du Bénin (CDC Bénin) recorded a net banking income of CFA21.915 billion in 2025, representing a 4.9 per cent increase compared with the previous year.
However, the institution’s financial results also show that higher income did not translate into a comparable increase in net profit.
CDC Bénin’s net profit stood at approximately CFA17.914 billion, remaining broadly stable compared with 2024.
One of the major issues highlighted in the financial results was the increase in interest expenses. Interest charges rose from about CFA25.744 billion to CFA30.711 billion, representing an increase of 19.3 per cent.
At the same time, interest and related income increased only modestly, from CFA46.494 billion to CFA47.378 billion.
The figures mean that the institution’s net interest result fell from CFA20.750 billion to CFA16.667 billion.
The financial performance is being watched as CDC Bénin continues to position itself as an institution for mobilising long-term resources and supporting investment in the country’s economy.
🏙️ 4. COTONOU HOSTS FRANCOPHONE CIVIL SOCIETY MEETING ON PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT
More than 100 representatives of Francophone civil society organisations are gathered in Cotonou for the 16th Plenary Assembly of the Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations accredited to the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.
The meeting opened on Monday, September 28, and is focusing on issues including peace, territorial resilience and shared prosperity.
The Cotonou meeting is also taking place ahead of the 20th Summit of the Francophonie, scheduled to take place in Phnom Penh in November.
Participants are expected to discuss recommendations that could contribute to strengthening cooperation among civil society organisations and improving responses to peace and development challenges.
The gathering puts Cotonou at the centre of discussions involving Francophone civil society actors from different countries.
⚽ 5. BENIN FACES MAURITANIA IN CRUCIAL AFCON 2027 QUALIFIER
The Guépards of Benin are in the spotlight today as they face Mauritania’s Mourabitounes in the second round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The match is scheduled for Tuesday, September 29, 2026, with the teams meeting at the Stade de l’Amitié in Cotonou, according to the match listing.
The encounter carries historical significance, as Benin and Mauritania have met several times over the decades.
The two national teams have a long history of competition, including memorable encounters in previous AFCON qualifying campaigns. La Nation reports that their football relationship dates back more than six decades.
Ahead of the qualifying campaign, Benin Football Federation president Marcellin Bocovè called for unity and mobilisation around the national team as the Guépards began their campaign.
🔐 6. BENIN LAUNCHES NEW CYBERSECURITY PROFESSIONALS’ NETWORK
Benin’s cybersecurity sector has taken a new step with the creation of a professional platform for information-security specialists.
The Club des responsables de la sécurité des systèmes d’information (RSSI) held its constituent general assembly on Saturday, September 26.
The organisation is intended to provide cybersecurity professionals with a framework for consultation, experience-sharing and cooperation.
An 11-member executive bureau was established, with Athanase Atchome elected to lead the organisation.
The development comes at a time when digital services and online systems are becoming increasingly important to government, businesses and institutions, making information security a growing concern.
🏛️ 7. LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CONFRONT CHALLENGES IN MOBILISING DEVELOPMENT FUNDS
Benin’s decentralisation authorities and development partners have been examining challenges facing communes in the mobilisation and use of resources for local development.
A meeting held in Cotonou on September 24 brought together actors involved in decentralisation and technical and financial partners.
Among the concerns discussed were difficulties in mobilising and effectively using resources intended for local development.
The discussions were held during the first 2026 session of the technical group responsible for decentralisation, deconcentration and territorial planning.
Officials noted that while resources may exist, some communes continue to experience difficulties turning available resources into effective development projects.
🆔 8. MORE THAN 32,000 BIRTH CERTIFICATES ISSUED FREE AS DEADLINE APPROACHES
More than 32,000 children in Benin have reportedly received birth certificates free of charge under an identification initiative being implemented by the Agence Nationale d’Identification des Personnes (ANIP).
The agency has reminded the public that the free issuance operation is scheduled to end on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
ANIP has urged eligible citizens who have not yet benefited from the programme to complete the necessary procedures before the deadline.
The exercise is particularly significant because birth certificates are important documents for establishing legal identity and accessing various administrative and social services.
🔌 9. POWER OUTAGES EXPECTED IN PARTS OF BENIN
Several communities in Benin are expected to experience temporary electricity interruptions on September 29 and 30.
The Société Béninoise d’Énergie Électrique (SBEE) announced that the interruptions are linked to scheduled maintenance work on parts of its electricity network.
Residents and businesses in affected areas have been advised to take the planned interruptions into account.
The maintenance programme is intended to support work on the electricity network, although temporary outages can affect households, businesses and other electricity-dependent activities during the intervention period.
🚔 10. DRUG CRACKDOWN: POLICE SEIZE MORE THAN 950 GRAMS OF CANNABIS IN COTONOU
Security authorities in Cotonou have intensified operations against the trafficking and distribution of illicit drugs.
On Sunday, September 27, police reportedly seized more than 950 grams of cannabis in the Vodjè Gbadji area of Cotonou.
Two people suspected of possessing and distributing the substance were arrested during the operation.
The development forms part of a wider series of recent anti-drug operations in the country. A separate operation reported in the same period involved the seizure of approximately 20 kilograms of cannabis-related products, alongside tablets, weighing scales and more than CFA5 million.
