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 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 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

The article examines the major challenges confronting Islamic education in Guinea within a context shaped by persistent economic, social, and political constraints. While Islamic education plays a crucial role in transmitting religious, moral, and cultural values, the study highlights severe limitations related to inadequate infrastructure, insufficient funding, and a lack of qualified teachers. Curricula remain heavily focused on traditional religious instruction, with limited integration of science, technology, and critical thinking, reducing students’ ability to compete in higher education and the labor market. The research also underscores the institutional marginalization of Islamic education, marked by limited government recognition, weak policy frameworks, gender disparities, and linguistic barriers due to the predominance of Arabic instruction. These factors contribute to the perception of Islamic education as inferior to secular schooling. The authors argue that systemic reforms are urgently needed, including increased public investment, curriculum harmonization, teacher training, and stronger alignment between Islamic education and national development objectives.

Governance, Inequality, Religious education, Education, Politique publique

The Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin for Northern Côte d’Ivoire (August–September 2025) assesses pastoral conditions in the Bounkani and Tchologo regions during the rainy season. It highlights a generally favorable availability of pasture and water resources, supported by regular rainfall, although localized shortages persist in areas such as Diawala, Nafana, and Youndouo. Overall animal health is considered satisfactory, despite isolated disease outbreaks in zones with high livestock concentration. The bulletin also points to a fragile security context, characterized by recurrent cattle theft and localized incidents, particularly in Bounkani. The influx of refugees from Ghana increases pressure on natural resources and heightens the risk of social tensions. From an economic perspective, markets remain accessible, but terms of trade deteriorate in Bounkani, indicating a decline in pastoral purchasing power. The report calls for strengthened community monitoring, improved animal health surveillance, and enhanced cross-border coordination to anticipate emerging risks.

Power, State, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Marché, water

The Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin No. 27 assesses pastoral conditions in Burkina Faso during August–September 2025, the peak of the rainy season. Based on field surveys and satellite data, the report highlights generally good availability of pasture and water resources, with vegetation cover ranging from 60% to 90%. Livestock mobility is reduced, and animal concentrations are moderate to high, particularly around agricultural areas. However, regional disparities remain, with localized shortages of pasture and water in parts of western and central Burkina Faso. Although cereal prices declined slightly and livestock prices improved marginally, terms of trade continue to be unfavorable for herders. The bulletin also reports persistent cattle theft and localized conflicts, especially in border areas. Overall, pastoral conditions have improved compared to the previous period, but the report emphasizes the need to strengthen pastoral resilience, improve conflict prevention mechanisms, and enhance support to pastoral communities.

State, Pastoralism, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Education, Gold, Human security, Marché, water

Issue 34 of the Sahel Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin highlights an overall improvement in pastoral conditions across the region during August–September 2025. Pasture and water availability is generally satisfactory, contributing to good livestock body condition. However, significant spatial disparities remain, with some areas experiencing low vegetation cover while others face excess water and flooding risks. Livestock markets are mostly accessible, yet rising animal prices combined with fluctuating cereal prices continue to negatively affect terms of trade for pastoralists in several locations. From a health perspective, outbreaks of animal and human diseases have been reported, requiring increased monitoring. Security conditions remain fragile in parts of the region, marked by recurrent livestock theft and increased pressure on pastoral resources due to the presence of displaced and refugee populations.

State, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Health, Information, Marché, water

The article “Education for Citizenship and Curricular Contextualization in Guinea-Bissau” explores how citizenship education can help build an inclusive, democratic society in Guinea-Bissau. The authors argue that beyond mere school access — which remains insufficient — the curriculum must be consciously structured around three core axes: the individual, the relational and the community. Through these dimensions, education should foster values, attitudes, and behaviors that uphold human rights, peace, gender equality, development education, environmental preservation, health education, and media literacy. The goal is to shape informed, responsible citizens capable of actively participating in communal life. The article also highlights the potential of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to support these aims. In short, education should go beyond access: it becomes a tool for social inclusion and curricular justice.

Culture, Governance, Education

This Policy Brief examines Germany’s new budget orientations and their consequences for Mali, a country facing insecurity, conflict, climate shocks, displacement, and rising humanitarian needs. Germany is among Mali’s key financial partners through the Federal Foreign Office (AA) and the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). However, from 2025 onward, significant budget cuts are expected, sharply reducing German contributions to the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP). German aid currently supports essential sectors such as nutrition, health, water and sanitation, infrastructure, protection, displacement management, agriculture, and the Humanitarian–Development–Peace (HDP) nexus. Reductions in funding could exacerbate vulnerabilities, intensify population movements, and weaken local NGOs, which are central to service delivery and conflict mitigation. The brief offers recommendations to mitigate these impacts, improve coordination, promote aid localization, and strengthen community resilience.

State, Economic Development, Natural ressources, Education, Mediation, Gold, Social, Cooperation, Dialogue, Civil Society