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

The article highlights unresolved armed conflicts as the primary driver of acute food insecurity in Africa. In 2025, a record 167 million Africans faced acute food insecurity, with over 130 million living in conflict-affected countries. More than 700,000 people are at risk of famine, mainly in Sudan, South Sudan, and Mali. Conflicts severely disrupt agricultural production, markets, transport systems, and humanitarian access, while triggering large-scale population displacement. The analysis shows that five countries—Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Ethiopia, and South Sudan—account for nearly two-thirds of acute food insecurity on the continent. The article also stresses the regional spillover effects of conflicts, which strain neighboring countries and humanitarian response capacities. It concludes that famine is fundamentally a man-made catastrophe, with long-term economic and security consequences, undermining human capital, stability, and development prospects across Africa.

Politics, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Food security, Gold, Poverty, Human security, Insécurité, Food insecurity

This podcast discusses a recent study by the African Development Bank (AfDB) identifying twelve minerals considered critical for Africa’s industrial development. Drawing on the work of Bright Simons, the analysis challenges the uncritical adoption of “critical minerals” frameworks defined by industrialized countries. A mineral is only critical in relation to a society’s productive priorities. For Africa, truly critical minerals are those that support industrialization, agriculture, construction, and low-carbon energy systems. Despite holding significant mineral reserves, Africa remains largely confined to raw extraction, with minimal processing and refining capacity. Decades of underinvestment in geological surveys, energy infrastructure, logistics, and technology have weakened states’ negotiating power and limited value creation. The report argues that Africa can only transform its mineral wealth into inclusive growth through an integrated industrial strategy focused on local processing, infrastructure development, and technological upgrading.

Governance, Environment, Natural ressources, Inclusion

Despite recent economic improvements, poverty remains pervasive in Guinea, according to Afrobarometer survey data from June 2025. A large majority of Guineans report having experienced shortages of essential goods over the past year, particularly cash income, medical care, clean water, and food. The Lived Poverty Index shows that nearly 80% of citizens endured moderate or severe poverty, disproportionately affecting women, less educated individuals, and residents of regions such as Kankan and Conakry. In response to these hardships, households rely heavily on family and community support networks to meet basic needs. Public dissatisfaction with government economic performance is widespread, especially regarding price stability, job creation, inequality reduction, and poverty alleviation. Approval ratings for government action across these areas have declined significantly since 2015, highlighting persistent social and economic vulnerabilities despite reported macroeconomic gains.

Governance, Economic Development, Development, Poverty

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

Guinea’s economic growth has remained strong, averaging 5.1% between 2019 and 2023, driven mainly by the mining and agricultural sectors. However, this growth has not been sufficiently inclusive to significantly reduce poverty, which still affects 52% of the population. Structural weaknesses — including low domestic revenue mobilization, inefficient public spending, limited human capital, infrastructure gaps, and gender disparities — continue to constrain the broader economic impact. Monetary policy was eased in late 2024 and early 2025 to support growth, while fiscal discipline helped contain deficits over recent years, despite a recent increase due to higher public investment. Public debt has risen, particularly through increased reliance on domestic borrowing. Looking ahead, Guinea’s medium-term outlook is positive, largely due to the expected start of iron ore production at the Simandou project, which could drive double-digit growth. Nevertheless, the report stresses that comprehensive reforms are essential to ensure inclusive, sustainable, and resilient economic development.

Governance, Politique publique, Funding, Inclusion, Economic growth