In the southern village of Gogotinkpon, which makes its living from fishing in Lake Aheme, voodoo is used to ask deities to help demarcate tracts of mangroves as sacred areas; the tradition highlights the importance of mangrove forests in the region

A new attack attributed to jihadist groups in the north, near the border with Niger and Burkina Faso, resulted in the death of 28 soldiers; attacks have increased in the area in recent years, with 121 soldiers killed from 2021 to the end of 2024

Pan-African activist and leader Kémi Séba has announced his candidature for presidential elections scheduled for April 2026; electoral code requires candidates to be sponsored by at least 28 elected officials, such as mayors or members of parliament

The country intends to sell up to 40% of its stake in Banque Internationale pour l'Industrie et le Commerce through an initial public offering to finance various development projects, aiming to raise $192,3 million offering up to 23,1 million shares

The €1 million project 'Growing Benin's Organic Cotton Sector', dedicated to helping small cotton farmers switch to organic cotton cultivation, will enter phase II after increasing earnings and sustainability