Burkina Faso: the Sankara family and a memory claimed by the state
In Burkina Faso, the figure of Thomas Sankara has long since outgrown the sphere of historical commemoration. It now occupies a central place in the political vocabulary of Ibrahim Traoré’s government. Yet beneath the official tributes, the military ceremonies and the rising mausoleum, a question lingers: is the present leadershipContinue Reading
Blood on the Niger: 167 civilians killed and 127 motorbikes burned near Gao
One morning on the edge of Gao, in northern Mali, ended with 167 civilians dead and more than 127 motorbikes reduced to charred metal. The killings, carried out along the Niger river, are being attributed to the Russian mercenaries of Africa Corps — the force that took over from WagnerContinue Reading
Gabon’s public debt falls back below the 70% of GDP threshold
A clearer picture of Gabon’s public debt Gabon now has a more accurate view of what it owes. After an audit commissioned by the state and closed on 31 December 2025, the consolidated public debt stock was set at 9,524.643 billion FCFA, down from nearly 11,700 billion when the exerciseContinue Reading
Digitalisation du foncier au Gabon : le Ministre de l’Économie rejoint le protocole avec SNEDAI GROUPE
Digitalisation du foncier au Gabon : le Ministre de l’Économie rejoint le protocole avec SNEDAI GROUPE par · 15 septembre 2026 éorte sur la mise en place d’un système foncier et cadastral entièrement informatisé, sécurisé et interconnecté. L’objectif est notamment de fiabiliser les données, d’améliorer la localisation des parcelles, deContinue Reading
Niger’s uranium plunge: at SOMAÏR, the logistics alibi no longer holds
Long paraded as the definitive proof that Niger had reclaimed command of its own mineral wealth, the running of the Société des mines de l’Aïr (SOMAÏR) by an entirely local workforce has instead ended in an industrial shipwreck. The finance ministry’s latest economic outlook note records a brutal 83.3 percentContinue Reading
Niger army desertions: inside the revolt brewing in Tiani’s ranks
A patriotic showcase the barracks no longer believe in Eighteen months after the 26 July 2023 coup, the patriotic image cultivated by Niger’s military leadership is visibly splintering. Behind the sovereignist rhetoric and the ceremonial parades staged by the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, the picture comingContinue Reading
Behind the sovereignty rhetoric, Sahel alliance states owe 7,727 billion FCFA
The arithmetic behind a sovereignty narrative On 31 July 2026, the three states of the Alliance of Sahel States – Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger – together carried 7,727.38 billion FCFA in outstanding public securities on the regional market. That number sits awkwardly beside a political message built on autonomy,Continue Reading
Benin’s schools reopen nationwide on 14 September 2026 as security improves
Monday 14 September 2026 has gone down as the day classrooms across Benin opened their doors again. From urban centres to the most remote localities, schools have resumed their usual rhythm, with learners and teachers reporting back for duty. The start of this academic year comes at a moment whenContinue Reading
Niger’s pump price freeze leaves SONIDEP facing a 28 billion FCFA loss in 2026
The price of holding Niger’s pump prices still Keeping fuel affordable at the pump has a price, and Niger’s public accounts are now showing it. Fresh projections from the International Monetary Fund place the Société nationale des pétroles du Niger (SONIDEP) on course for a net loss of 28 billionContinue Reading
Texforces-BF: Burkina Faso’s textile bet with pensioners’ money
Presented as a flagship of economic sovereignty and homegrown industrialisation, the TEXFORCES-BF textile venture has drawn enthusiastic backing from Burkina Faso’s authorities. Strip away the ceremonial optimism, however, and the way the scheme is financed — together with the conditions surrounding its rollout — raises serious questions. Money pulled straightContinue Reading
Niger’s external liabilities climb to 12,900 billion CFA francs
Official speeches keep celebrating a clean break and economic self-rule, yet the figures tell a far less flattering story. At the close of 2024, Niger’s net international investment position sat deep in negative territory, exposing how heavily the national economy still leans on money, assets and claims held beyond itsContinue Reading
Benin’s school canteens now serve 1.9 million children a day
Benin’s school feeding drive has crossed a fresh threshold. With the 2026-2027 academic year under way, close to 1.9 million pupils now receive a hot meal on every day of class, compared with 1.4 million twelve months earlier. Roughly 500,000 extra children have joined the scheme in that single yearContinue Reading