From bananas to wicks: Benin’s incredible ecological revolution

In Benin, a surprising innovation is transforming the hairdressing and farming sectors. The ‘Africa Terroir’ cooperative recycles banana tree trunks to make environmentally friendly hair strands. It's an initiative led by committed young entrepreneurs that combines business, ecology, and innovation. Find out how this emerging industry is revolutionising habits and captivating social networks. Journalist: Lefty Hounnou

Publications

Society 29 November 2023

Marc Lavergne, Emeritus Director of Research at the French National Centre for Scientific Research

A look back at a political and human tragedy that has been left in the background: in Sudan, the conflict between the army and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues to destabilize the civilian population and the economy. This deteriorating situation is closely monitored by one of the leading specialists in the region, Marc Lavergne, Emeritus Research director at the French National Center for Scientific Research.

Society 29 November 2023

Food insecurity become an entrepreneurial challenge in Goma

The town of Goma in North Kivu in the east of the DRC is surrounded by M23 rebels. This situation has plunged the town into an unprecedented food crisis. Omwinja Manassé, a young entrepreneur, is trying to contain the situation with his company Kivu Labour.

Society 10 November 2023

Rajae Haissous, Moroccan architect and urban planner

"Cities are currently being used as laboratories for experimentation towards a greener way of life - with green spaces that also reduce the feeling of heat and the greenhouse effect - so both architecture and urban planning are key areas in the ecological transition and response to climate change."

Society 8 November 2023

The fight for survival in Somalia

In Somalia, a large number of the population is living an extremely complex reality. Entire families are forced to settle in refugee camps on the outskirts of the capital Mogadishu because of the drought crisis affecting the Horn of Africa, which continues to worsen.

Society 28 September 2023

Guinea: childhood shattered by gold mining

Guinea is Africa's 5th largest gold producer, and its mines fuel the national and global economy. In the mining regions of Siguiri, in the northeast of the country, many children work all day with their parents to try to improve their living conditions. In these regions, most families live in very precarious situations. Some NGOs are raising awareness to combat the exploitation of children, but the challenges remain complex. According to the UN, 68% of children in Guinea work from the age of 7. Many of them drop out of school to work in the mines, where they are exposed to conditions that threaten their health and safety.

Society 15 September 2023

Latré-Kayi Edzona Lawson-Hogban Addablah, FIFA referee instructor

Latré-Kayi Edzona Lawson-Hogban Addablah, nicknamed "the Iron Lady", is the first woman in Africa to become a FIFA referee instructor and a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Referees' Committee.

Society 13 September 2023

The rise of international women referees

Rachel Zihindula is a 24-year-old Congolese referee who began her career between 2015 and 2016 at the Goma Urban Football Association (EUFGO). She began by training as a referee at a local level, eventually officiating in her first match between 2017 and 2018 at the Stade de l'Unité in Goma. In January 2023, she joined FIFA's list of Congolese international referees.

Society 31 August 2023

Guest : Monica Kirya

Monica Kirya is a Ugandan lawyer specialising in corruption cases, particularly in the health sector, and senior adviser to the U4 anti-corruption resource centre based in Bergen, Norway. She scrutinises the risks of embezzlement of public funds in Africa.

Society 21 July 2023

Interview with Roobens Fils

Roobens Fils, born in Paris, has developed a passion for travelling and discovering different cultures. His blog "Been around the globe" and his book "Être Noir et voyager" led him to set up his travel agency dedicated to tourism in Africa. This experience has enabled him to achieve his goal of advising black travellers worldwide.