ECOWAS Currency Push: ECOWAS leaders reaffirmed plans to launch the ECO single currency in 2027, with qualifying states adopting first and others supported to join later, positioning it as a trade and integration boost. Regional Leadership: Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye took over the rotating ECOWAS chairmanship as the bloc faces security threats and the challenge of managing ties with Sahel states outside the old framework. Sahel Security & Finance: The UN warned terrorists across northern Nigeria, West Africa and the Sahel are increasingly using drones, advanced communications and cryptocurrencies, often linked to organised crime to gain territorial and economic control. Niger Focus—Coup Anniversary: Three years after Niger’s 2023 coup, analysts revisit how the crisis reshaped Niger’s relations with ECOWAS, including suspension, border closures and sanctions that altered regional order. Niger State Policing: Niger State Police reported arrests over child trafficking (nine children rescued) and other theft-related cases, alongside stepped-up traffic enforcement for safer roads. Business & Trade Signals: Niger-related business items included regional cooperation themes and cross-border commerce updates, while broader West Africa integration efforts continue to shape market expectations.