Author: Ousmane Tandja

Amid shifting geopolitical currents in West Africa, the Republic of Bénin is pursuing a bold, pragmatic foreign policy aimed at diversifying partnerships without compromising long-standing alliances. A recent high-level meeting in Saint-Petersburg between Bénin’s ambassador to Russia and senior Russian officials underscored this balanced approach, focusing on concrete cooperation in energy, agriculture, healthcare and infrastructure. Strategic discussions lay groundwork for expanded collaboration In a cordial exchange, Evgueni Grigoriev, Chair of Saint-Petersburg’s Committee on External Relations, welcomed Bénin’s Ambassador Akambi André Okounlola Biaou during a visit timed to coincide with Bénin’s…

Unveiling the Côte d’Ivoire energy pact governance structure The steering committee of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Energy Pact convened its inaugural session on August 4, 2026, at the SCIAM building in Abidjan. Chaired by Dr. Souleymane DIARRASSOUBA, Minister of Planning and Development, the meeting brought together key figures including the Ministers of Mines, Oil and Energy, Economy, and the Prime Minister’s office, alongside presidential advisors. The gathering aimed to reinforce the committee’s operational framework and align its strategic priorities. The committee approved progress reports on ongoing initiatives and greenlit a roundtable…

An historic moment awaits the Bénin legislative landscape as the newly established Senate convenes for its first-ever leadership election. On Thursday, August 6, 2026, all 25 senators will gather at the Palais des Gouverneurs in Porto-Novo for a pivotal session that marks a significant step in the country’s transition to a bicameral system. The outcome of this gathering will shape the institution’s direction for the next five years, as lawmakers prepare to vote on the three-member executive bureau that will oversee the Senate’s operations. With the constitutional validity of the…

Parliamentary proceedings in the Senegal National Assembly have resumed under tense circumstances. The assembly’s governing body has been summoned for an emergency session scheduled to begin at 16:00 this afternoon. Observers had previously flagged the likelihood of heightened activity within the legislative body in the coming days. The impending meeting has been framed as the opening salvo in what many anticipate will be a period of intense political maneuvering. What to expect from the parliamentary bureau meeting This gathering of the assembly’s leadership is expected to set the tone for…

Gabon’s extractive industries experienced a mixed performance at the start of 2026. The sector’s overall activity witnessed a 2.9% contraction, primarily driven by a downturn in hydrocarbons. In stark contrast, the manganese segment continued its upward trajectory. This trend highlights the enduring structural reliance of the Gabonese economy on its upstream petroleum sector’s output, a key finding from the sectoral economic report by the Directorate General of Economy and Fiscal Policy (DGEPF). Gabon’s extractive sector hampered by oil production decline The significant drop in hydrocarbon output heavily impacts the entire…