Sahel Security & Trade Corridors: Ghana and Burkina Faso signed a Defence Cooperation Agreement in Accra to secure cross-border trade routes, with escort support for traders and goods after the February 2026 killing of Ghanaian tomato sellers in Titao, northern Burkina Faso. Regional Travel Rules: From Jan 1, 2027, Nigerians will enter Chad and the Republic of the Congo without entry visas, aiming to boost free movement and trade across Africa. Air Connectivity for West Africa: Africa World Airlines will launch direct Accra–Abidjan flights on Aug 31, four times weekly, adding another practical route for travelers across Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Tourism Bookings Go Digital (Ghana): Ghana rolled out the Ghana Tourism Marketplace and Ghana Tourism Investment Platform to help tourists book verified experiences and help operators reach wider markets, with “Accra by Night” driving most festive-season revenue. US Visa Processing Shift: The US ended routine visa services at its Juba embassy for South Sudanese applicants, moving nonimmigrant visa processing to Kampala, Uganda—part of a broader Africa-wide consular reshuffle that also lists Burkina Faso among affected countries. WAFCON Spotlight (Burkina Faso): South Africa beat Burkina Faso 1-0 in Casablanca to reach the WAFCON quarter-finals, with Thembi Kgatlana scoring early and Burkina Faso’s keeper Kaylin Swart making key saves.