This article examines the determinants of willingness to pay (WTP) for flood insurance in urban Burkina Faso, with a particular focus on the role of information and information sources. The analysis is based on a field survey conducted in September 2022 among 593 individuals in Ouagadougou. The findings indicate that 71.3% of respondents are willing to pay for flood insurance, although most report a WTP lower than the expected loss. Being well informed about flood risks increases WTP, but the relationship is not proportional, as perfectly informed individuals may display lower WTP. Trust in government and private insurance providers, as well as ambiguity aversion, positively influence WTP, while reliance on family networks and risk aversion reduce it. The study highlights the importance of integrating information effects and communication channels into flood risk management and insurance demand policies in urban contexts.

Power, State, Natural ressources, Education, Family, Gold, Medias, Knowlege production, Information, water

The article examines how the December 7, 2025 attempted coup in Benin became a narrative struggle between opposing interpretations of the event. The Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR) aimed to promote a revolutionary narrative by occupying the national television and denouncing deteriorating security conditions. In response, the Beninese government quickly crafted a counter-narrative, led by the Minister of the Interior, that downplayed the incident as an isolated mutiny and employed crisis communication strategies to reassure the public and stabilize perceptions. The article highlights the role of framing in shaping public understanding and explains that the government’s rapid and controlled communication neutralized the putschists’ messaging. Despite the failure of the attempted coup, the underlying causes of the crisis remain unresolved, and the article argues that future communication should focus on reforms to address grievances and prevent similar challenges to constitutional order.

Governance, Conflict, Crisis, Coup d'État

In this interview, Prof. Fatoumata Hane examines Senegal’s deep social and institutional crisis, characterized by a growing disconnect between institutions and the population. She highlights weak governance marked by impunity, lack of accountability, and restrictions on fundamental rights, which have widened the gap between citizens and the state. Youth issues are central, as public policies often treat young people as a homogeneous group, failing to address diverse aspirations in employment, education, and civic engagement—contributing to migration and instrumentalized political participation. Regarding women, she stresses that numerical parity does not ensure meaningful political inclusion, as women remain largely confined to mobilization roles. In education, she advocates for the decolonization of knowledge, criticizing a Eurocentric model that fuels inequality and unemployment. Ultimately, she calls for a refoundation of the state, prioritizing inclusive governance, health, education, youth empowerment, and the rebuilding of shared national values.

Governance, Youth, Women, Institution

This article examines farmers’ perceptions of climate change in the Haut Niger National Park (PNHN) in Guinea, comparing local observations with climatological data from 1960 to 2013. Local populations report increasing rainfall variability, shorter rainy seasons, delayed onset of the monsoon, and more frequent intra-seasonal dry spells. Statistical analyses confirm strong interannual rainfall variability, with a slight but non-significant upward trend, alongside projected temperature increases for the 2025–2050 period. These climatic changes have significant impacts on natural resources and rural livelihoods, including declining agricultural yields, soil degradation, forest regression, and disruptions to farming calendars. The study highlights that, despite some discrepancies, farmers’ perceptions closely align with observed climate trends and provide valuable insight into climate-related risks. The findings underscore the vulnerability of ecosystems and communities in the PNHN and stress the importance of integrating local knowledge into climate adaptation strategies.

Climate change, Environment, Natural ressources, Rural Areas

This article examines the challenges facing environmental protection in Guinea’s mining sector, despite the existence of a relatively robust legal framework. Rich in mineral resources, Guinea has liberalized its mining sector since the early 1990s under the influence of international financial institutions. The 2011 Mining Code, inspired by ECOWAS regional standards, includes environmental obligations throughout the mining lifecycle, including environmental impact assessments, pollution prevention, waste management, and site rehabilitation and closure. However, the author highlights significant implementation gaps. Limited transparency, reinforced by the confidentiality of environmental information held by mining companies, restricts access to information and weakens accountability. Guinea’s progress under the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) remains modest. The article argues for stronger enforcement of international standards, such as those of the IFC, OECD, and the United Nations Global Compact, to promote more responsible environmental governance in the mining sector.

Political party, Governance, Environment, Natural ressources, Transparency

The Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin of Mauritania No. 36 examines agropastoral conditions during October–November 2025, a transition period between the rainy season and the dry season. Overall, pasture availability remains satisfactory in monitored areas (Hodh Chargui, Guidimakha, Brakna, and Gorgol), despite the gradual drying up of temporary water sources and an increase in bushfires, which threaten rangeland sustainability. Livestock body condition is generally good, although suspected animal diseases persist, prompting the launch of the 2025–2026 national livestock vaccination campaign. Markets remain supplied, but high cereal prices continue to limit favorable terms of trade for pastoral households. The bulletin also highlights growing pressure linked to the continuous arrival of Malian refugees, particularly in eastern Mauritania, increasing competition over natural resources and heightening the risk of social tensions.

State, Economic Development, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Knowlege production, water

The article argues that Mali’s crisis is also being fought through information and competing narratives. It begins with the media regulator’s decision to suspend LCI and TF1 (announced on 12 November 2025) and situates it within a broader tightening of media control since 2022, affecting both international and domestic outlets. The author highlights the rise of “patriotic” editorial framing and the growing influence of pro-government content creators (“videomans”) in shaping public opinion. Against the backdrop of attacks on fuel tankers, fuel shortages, and diplomatic warnings, he describes how official messaging clashes with sensational international coverage—especially speculation about Bamako’s possible fall—and with JNIM propaganda circulated on social media platforms. The piece also notes the emergence of counter-narratives (including from influencers on the ground) and concludes that this contested narrative ecosystem can shape perceptions of the crisis as much as events themselves.

Politics, Governance, Conflict, Medias, Information, Disinformation

The article summarizes the 2020 Annual Report of the Central Bank of the Republic of Guinea, with a specific focus on the microfinance sector. By the end of 2020, Guinea had 17 microfinance institutions (MFIs), most of which collect savings, operating through 683 service points and serving over 816,000 clients. The report highlights a significant increase in demand deposits (+47%), reaching GNF 658.2 billion, along with rising borrowings and liquidity levels. Although the outstanding loan portfolio declined slightly (-1%), the sector recorded strong profitability, with a surplus of nearly GNF 5 billion, mainly driven by cooperative and non-deposit-taking MFIs. However, the report also notes a deterioration in certain indicators, particularly non-performing loans. Market concentration remains high, as three institutions dominate deposits and credit portfolios, raising concerns related to financial stability and sector governance.

Governance, Politique publique, Funding

The article examines China’s strategy in Africa’s critical minerals sector, which is central to advanced technologies, energy transition, and national security. Through long-term investments, China has secured a dominant position not only in mining but, more importantly, in processing and refining capacities, enabling it to control much of the global value chain. In Africa, this strategy relies on large-scale mine acquisitions, offtake agreements, resource-backed financing, and deep integration into infrastructure such as railways, ports, and power generation. Despite Africa’s vast mineral wealth, the continent remains largely confined to exporting raw materials, with limited gains in industrialization, employment, and technology transfer. The article highlights power asymmetries, environmental and labor risks, and rising financial dependence. It also explores emerging African policy responses aimed at capturing more local value, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and enhancing economic sovereignty in the face of intense global competition.

Power, Natural ressources, Education, Development, Gold, Cooperation, Dialogue, Diplomacy, Soicial sciences, Knowlege production